Swanage Open Day

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news629.htm

 

The official title is "Railway at Work" weekend - 13th and 14th March 2010.
Basically it's your annual opportunity to see behind the scenes and, we hope, be interested enough to volunteer your services and help keep our services running.
Look forward to seeing you!

 

I should be there tomorrow morning.

 

I had a very interesting time on the SR today, and wanted to extend my thanks to all concerned.

A particular thank you to the driver of Manston, to the guys in Swanage box and to Chris in the carriage workshops, who all took the time to spend ages chatting to me.

I've now got a fair idea of what I might be able to do to help, so I daresay I'll be down in Purbeck more often in due course.

 

Pleased to read that you enjoyed your visit. Despite the cold wind you had a beautiful day for your tour round our railway.
Like most Heritage Railways we can always do with more help. Some of the original volunteers are now
'getting on', me included of course, so a new generation needs to be recruited to keep the success continuing on the Swanage Railway.

 

Thanks Peter. I dare say I'll get something organised and start the undoubtedly long process of learning before too long. Although I'm a software dev these days I originally trained as an electronic & electrical engineer so I'm sure that will come in useful somewhere.

 

Dont trust him...Dodgy bloke.....

 

LOL!

Am I to surmise that was you then? If so, thanks for the long chat.

 

No worries at all. Glad you enjoyed your day.
If i think who you were I recall someone saying something about NP as they got off the loco....wasnt able to reply as someome was asking a question and by the time I had answered question you were gone. See you at Beer Fest Diesel Gala.

Loads of people there yesterday and asking loads of questions too......Hope I managed to answer a few correctly.....Ha ha ..and not too many technical questions...Phew....

 

That was indeed little me.

If it helps, you were doing a great job of explaining it all. I have to admit to being quite happy around complex electrical systems (if you need a Crompton or a coach re-wiring I'd be game LOL), but somewhat in awe of heavy duty mechanical systems as I've no direct experience of working with them.

I have to say that Manston is an awesome piece of machinery though, and I thoroughly enjoyed taking a look at her...even if I did end up with a bit of a tan from all the heat in the cab!

 

Hey Lewisb06 - looks like we've got ourselves a volunteer to help JC's workload. Will you tell him or shall I ?

 

Poor pinkpanther you spent time with Lewisb06. You have my sympathy. Did you understand anything that he was saying coz I never have! I am sure we can find things for a man of your talents to do and I am glad you had a good time. I would have been there except I was in bed being ill. Look forward to meeting you at sometime in the future.

 

Hi Ann,

Thanks (though I'm far from being a man! A bit of ageeky tomboy maybe, though). I'm sure we'll meet before too long.

I guess I'd better get around to dropping a line to the volunteer email address and start making some arrangements...

Cheers,

Anna


P.S. My photos from the weekend are now up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jalapenokitten/sets/72157623520325847/.

 

or instead of going through the long process, if swanage allows it, turn up in steelcap boots and boilersuit talk to someone in charge and away u go... as i did today at MHR.

 

Sorry for the assumption. :redface: I get a tad annoyed when someone tells their child to look at that 'man' uncoupling. Now I understand why Lewisb06 was keen to give you attention. Pleas come an join us. Turn up at the coal dock most weekends and you will normally find someone who will point you in the right direction. If engineering is your thing that would be a good place to start as both engineering and loco crews share the same facilities.

 

I'm sorry for presuming male 'parentage' of the Avatar. Please put it down to another Senior Moment on my behalf and also the fact that I always connect the title with Peter Sellers!
If you are a member of the Swanage Railway Trust already then a brief induction should be all that is necessary to keep you 'legal' and insured. There will be the inevitable additional paperwork and, to go 'track side', you'll go on our Personal Track Safety course. There are other bits and pieces, of course, but all will be revealed in due course. Basically nothing to be afraid of - just mainly administrative rigmarole I suppose.
Please come along any weekend and there should be someone who can show you round. You can bolster the (sadly) few lady footplate volunteers! As LN850 says - Steel toe cap shoes/boots are a must and, if you've not got a boilersuit then, some durable working togs [however a boilersuit is also really a must].

 

No worries...I'm rather partial to an occasional bout of Goonery myself.

I'm already a member of the Trust, so that bit's out of the way and the next thing to do is get an induction arranged.

With regard to working gear, any pointers on things to look for/avoid would be useful, as I can't say I've shopped for boilersuits or steel toecapped boots often (though if you want advice on medieval armour I could give a few pointers!).

Either way hopefully I'll be able to sort out any gear I need sometime during the next week.

 

If you are going to work on locos then go for a cotton boiler suit. Anything nylon/man made can easily melt if it comes into contact with something hot and, as you'll realise, there are a lot of hot things on a steam loco. I always go for Proban treated boiler suits. This is a flame retardant treatment. It costs a bit more than normal but, having set fire to overalls on three occasions, I think it is worth it! I don't know whether Swanage will supply gloves but, if not, get some cheap riggers gloves. Steel toe-capped boots/shoes are definitely necessary. You can get bog standard ones or there are ladies 'fashion' shoes available with steel toe-caps; I'm not saying how fashionable, though! You can even get steel toe-capped trainers. Don't go for an external steel cap, whatever you get. An unwritten rule that I always tell people is don't wear clothes that you wouldn't want to throw away at the end of the day. I'd also get a cap of some sort. If you're working on locos you'll soon find that your hair is ideal for cleaning the underside of a loco, otherwise.

 

Agree with all the above.
I would have thought that there ought to be some boilersuit vendors in, or around, Bournemouth as well as a safety supplies shop for the shoes/boots [any colour you like as long as it's black is my suggestion].
If nothing local takes your fancy then a 'safari' to Weymouth may be necessary perhaps. I always go to the premises of Acutt's at 3 Bond St, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8HF. Tel: 01305 782656. Primarily it is a menswear shop - however most ranges of boilersuits and safety shoes tend to be 'unisex' I think. Give them a call first, however, if you're thinking of going West and mention the Swanage Railway [the owner will know exactly what suitable types they've got - but they may not have your sizes of course].
We don't stock Riggers Gloves so a few pairs would be a useful acquisition.

 

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the advice. Something like the following, then:

http://www.dickiesstore.co.uk/dicki...-overalls/dickies-redhawk-overalls/WD4839W/0/

http://www.oswaldbailey.co.uk/?PAGEID=60195&STK_PROD_CODE=114076&CTL_CAT_CODE=WORK_FOOTWEAR

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expert-Industrial-Rigger-Gloves/dp/B0001K9UKU

We've an Oswald Bailey at the top of Commercial Road, so that's the first port of call I imagine.