Swanage Railway Half Term Week

I have a few enquiries for anyone who knows what's what on the Swanage Railway.

There is a Family Fun event over the half term week running at the end of October. Does anyone know if they attach faces to the engines for this event?

Also, is it likely that the diesel diagram will be DMU or changed to diesel loco and Mk1 stock to cope with extra demand?

Lastly, is it anticipated to be a very busy event (i.e. platforms heaving) or is it possible to catch a "quietish" day? (i.e. Midweek)

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to answer...

 

It normally busy of some sort during these times. I offically on the diesel Ticket Inspector turn on the Tuesday but I surspect It will be a DMU (Proberley the newly arrived 121 and the getting-rough-round-the-egdes 117). It will be busy at Harmonds Cross more then normal casue that were the intertaments will be...

 

HI during the week its not normally so busy that there are queues on the platform. There will be children's entertainment. This is often on the trains and at Harmans Cross. There is often a vintage bus to ride as well. I would suggest that you visit the Swanage Web Page which is likely to have the most up to date info regarding this event.

Oh and no the engines don't have faces.

Hope this helps you

Ann

 

Here's the link :
www.swanagerailway.co.uk/halftermoct09.htm

Since HIT and Swanage Railway didn't reach an amicable solution some time ago the SRCo, like many other Heritage lines, has no "Thomas" events now. The Half-Term weeks are no longer 'bursting at the seams' but we do put on extra activities to create added value for our Family visitors.
Whether the Class 121 'Bubble Car' will be able to cope with demand on it's diagram I'm not sure. I would be pleasantly surprised [personal opinion here] if we had so many passengers that a Class 33 substitute was necessary on our 'B' rake. Steam will be on the 'A' rake but it's too early to tell which loco will be rostered as several are having work done on them. Currently the M7 [Number 53] is in traffic.
There are no special events at Harmans Cross Village Hall this time as it is mostly a building site during the construction of their new [much larger] Hall. Also, the bus shuttle we laid on between Norden and HX Village Hall was proving increasingly unpopular so this has been caped.
If you crouch down you can have your face painted at Corfe Castle - probably!
Balloon animals, etc. on the trains and a Magician in one of the coaches on Platform 1 at Swanage are some of the attractions.
Monday and Friday are likely to be the quietest days during the week but I don't think you'll be overwhelmed with Families and their young Children on the other days.
I hope you have good weather and enjoy your visit.

 

Many thanks to those who answered, very helpful information indeed.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for dry weather, an M7 and a 117/121 pairing (yes DMU fans do exist!!)

 

You mean like this?



I took a ride on this beauty a few weeks ago. A credit to everyone concerned at the SR.

Now if only they had a 101 as well, I'd be right at home!

 

Exactly like that, great stuff!

Bring on the 5 car sets when the 108 returns (or maybe 6 if a 117 centre car appears)

 

I thought you might like that picture.

I don't know what the status of the 108 is at the moment, but I'm sure it will be back in service in due course. I still can't help wishing they had a 101 though!

 

From Swanage website, it seems 34028 on service trains, DMU (unspecified) on service B, the 08 on brake van rides and maybe even 53 on brake van rides during the week.

 

34028 is running the passenger service.
Bubble car and the 117 DMBS form the other (non-steam) passenger service.
We're planning to operate the M7 [No. 53] from Wednesday on brake van shuttles.
Not sure if we've got any other use(s) for the 08.