Swanage Railway General Discussion

For anyone interested in a ride behind the T3, the loco is in service today. <BJ>

 

I have another photograph which provides an interesting comparison to that 1964 shot taken at Corfe Castle. Here is a very similar angle of 30053, this time taken at Harmans Cross, with 31806 approaching with a two coach driver experience special. Taken on a very dull day in February 2015 to me this is as close a picture as you can get of an early 1960s railway scene, something that Swanage does so well. Even more remarkable is the fact that this scene never actually existed in the 1960s as Harmans Cross is a creation of the post closure era. This to my mind is railway preservation at its very best.


Peter

 

I see scope there for some philosophical discussion as to just what has been preserved.

 

So this morning for the "novelty value" I dragged my ailing body down to Swanage Station for a ride to Blue Pool on the first passenger train there even if you currently have no way to alight.
Not sure if the other services went there but my train, I am not sure why (even the TTI did not know) never got to Blue Pool just stopped short of Cats Eye Crossing.
Not sure if was due to an issue, we stood for about 4 mins after a reasonably quick brake application, moved back a little towards Norden, I think because 33053 was in the ”tunnel” (Cats Eye Bridge) which I guess was filling up with fumes. After about another 3 mins went back to Swanage.
Seemed hell of a lot of folks around for the Model Railway weekend though.

 

The platform edges from Melcombe Regis station on the Portland Branch, The lamp standards from Poole/Bournemouth council, the track from the Dorchester South/ Moreton singling, loco's and stock, Telegraph poles, signaling equipment from Weymouth. About the only thing modern is the ballast and the breeze block platform walls

 

To try and keep on time today they were only running as far as Cats Eye, which is just past the treadle for Norden Gates in the down direction. The main purpose of running these services over the road was for signaller training in Norden Gates, so that’s still achieved even if you don’t go all the way to Blue Pool.

I’m not entirely sure on the technical side of things, but the issue with the Crompton was something to do with how the engines work in top and tailed formation with nobody present in the rear engine. This was the second stop you noted, and upon fixing the issue the service continued back to Norden.

It was very busy today, hopefully the same again tomorrow!

 

I'm told that the Blue pool site is in the vicinity of the old Motala link between Network rail/Swan Rail connection, I don't think the platform has actually been built yet, also don't know if full planning permission has been given.
Re: Delay at Cats eye bridge, there was problems creating the brake, By the time I had phoned my adjoining signalmen at Harmans Cross and Swanage they were on the move again!
The reason the Diesel service is top and tailed this weekend is because of the Model Railway weekend which certainly yesterday was a huge success, Hopefully also today.

 

Blue Pool station will be just to the north of the old boundary at Motala. There’s a footpath from the planned site which will allow people to walk down to Blue Pool itself, which is just over 1/4 of a mile away. As far as I know planning permission has not yet been granted, but the platform won’t take long to construct.

 

I can not find a planning application on the Dorset Council Planning Portal.

 

Unsure what set the 33s were on yesterday but the steam is using the full Mark 1 set today.

The other set is seemly being shunted around this morning at Swanage.

 

They were on the second train which is usually the DMU as it was Model Railway weekend. It was actually your pose #12243 that alerted me in the first place.
Understand no service went over the road yesterday due to a lack of a signalman.

 

Thats a shame.

Swanage Railway Norden-Blue Pool DMU service - 8 April 2026


A really good video of the DMU running 'over the road'.

Is there any more progress with clearing up the Nordon rail sidings? Over the past few years theres been less stock on the railway needing to be stored there but watching that video there still is alot of frames etc etc

 

Ah, you can see my little bald head as we pick up the token

 

X 14.00 service from Swanage, now being pulled by the class 33. Left 14.15

Hopfuly 257 is okay

 

Where else can they be stored? I think there has been the same conversation in the past! Unlike other Railways, Swanage Railway does not have much space at Norden, Corfe Castle or Harmans Cross and of course the sidings that were at Swanage were swallowed up for a Bus Park and a CO OP Supemarket.
Take the Mid Hants Railway, They have a long siding from the Medstead end of the passing loop towards Butts Jn, on the ex Meon valley line as well as quite a fair amount of siding space at Ropley and of course the Head shunt at Alresford.
Re: Last Sunday, there was a signalman rostered for Norden Gates but no trainee, So I assume that the trips to Blue Pool were scuppered to save having to use two class 33's?

 

I did see/hear the 33's going out during the day on Sunday Andy.

 

According to the railways Facebook

200066 is coming to the diesel gala and staying on the railway till May 2027.

Do we know if this is the railway itself requesting an additional loco?

Could it mean more local hauled diesel action?

 

20066 will be doing Driver experience on May 7th according to the SR events page.

 

I haven’t seen the details but I presume it will replace 33053 and be the cover engine for 33111, as that isn’t expected to return until near the end of this year.

 

20066 is staying in addition to 33012 and 33053