Swanage Railway General Discussion

And thats how it should remain, so when is the u boat due to surface at Swanage ,

 

That's between the transport company, MHR and the Swanage Railway.

 

The boiler was lifted from 31874 yesterday, and the tender lifted from its wheelsets

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=693292430719324&id=451807091534527

 

That's great, glad to see something happening so fast.
I'm looking forward to seeing it in steam again.

 

What's the loco in the background? 31625?

Thanks

Tom

 

Wow, that's quick work! Quite a statement of intent. I wish them well. Let's hope they don't find any nasty surprises.

 

There was plenty of Bulleid action at Swanage yesterday, with Eddystone running right through to the late evening. Southern Locomotives Ltd intend to have '28 back in action in 2017, and have launched an appeal to raise funds for the overhaul. http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/34028/34028_Appeal.html

 

Has 31806 arrived yet, and what is likely to be rostered for next weekend? On the subject of next weekend, just wanted to say that it is a shame that the Autumn steam gala no longer coincides with the Swanage folk festival - the coincidence used give the weekend quite a unique flavour. This year the Steam Gala is just one of many in October and I for one will be travelling north for the East Lancs gala.

 

Its planned for 30053, 31806 and 34070 to be in traffic next weekend, along with one of the Class 33's. Although it is not billed as a Gala, we are running what has become our 'standard' Gala timetable, albeit with loco changes only taking place at Swanage rather than at both ends.

 

Thanks for this. Looking forward to seeing 31806 at its new home.

 

I must add, this is what is planned at this stage; 31806 being booked to arrive tomorrow.

 

See elsewhere that 31806 has now arrived.

 

Yes, and brought down to Swanage this evening with 34028 on its return from the Great Dorset Steam Fair. It was like preparing for a gala, the number of low loaders at Norden this afternoon!

 

I saw 7229 dismantled in the yard in Bury on the day of it's arrival with an hour or so of offloading.. it was fully dismantled by the end of the same day.

Since that day back in 1993 ?.. zip nada.

 

Did 34028 manage to get to the Great Dorset Steam Fair or did the muddy conditions defeat its delivery? There was no sign of it on the Friday, although The Unknown Warrior was there (as it was parked on an area of neat grass, I assume it had arrived before Monday's rain).

 

On Saturday afternoon Eddystone was at the top end of the site near to Gate 4. It was on a low loader trailer along with some other heavy items which presumably did not make it into the main arena. We passed it as we left on the very late running bus at 5.15. By the way NEVER go to the GDSF by public transport, not only does it not run as scheduled ( we had to wait an hour and a half for a bus back from the site bus stop), it is very expnsive, £11.90 for two return tickets from Blandford (Approx 4 miles) and when you try to complain to Wilts and Dorset about the service they do not reply to left messages. GDSF's response is that the bus service is not our problem, we want people to come by car and what do you expect from a rural bus company.

 

Not really a Gala, but very Southern.
30053, 31806, 34070, D6515 & 33111 are all going to be in service on Swanage Railway during the Classic Transport Rally, 5th - 7th September.
Each day, the 3 steam locos and one 33, work a 3 train service turn and turn about. I would post a link to the WTT, but it isn't on the Swanage Railway Website, for some reason or another....
Evening services on Friday and Saturday are class 33 hauled.

 

In a substantial jump in the development of the Swanage Railway project, and towards fulfilling one of the founding objectives of the Swanage Railway, yesterday the former Network Rail section of the Swanage branch from Bridge 2 (Worgret Farm, 31 chains to the country end from Worgret Junction) to the former Ground Frame at Motala was sold by Network Rail to Dorset County Council. Subsequent to this a new 99-year lease was signed over the whole DCC-owned section of the branch from Bridge 2 to Northbrook Road bridge in Swanage, meaning that the Swanage Railway is now the leaseholder over the whole length of the branch.

While this is a major development, there is much hard work still to do! There is a large amount of infrastructure work needed on the branch in connection with upgrading it ready for the 'trial service' (50 days in year 1, 90 days in year 2) to start. Something in the region of 1,000 sleepers to change, a new Road-Rail Interchange to construct, a level crossing to install at Norden, major embankment work at Furzebrook to name but a few. Signalling-wise, we are gearing up to the introduction of the No Signalman Key Token system between Worgret and Norden (those who have been to Wareham recently will have noticed the token machine cabinets that have sprung up on both platforms), which is due to take place shortly. This is in addition to things like overhaul of the 117 and 121 units, development of staff and maintenance facilities, training of staff; all at the same time as running one of the most intensive heritage railways in the country.

Exciting times!

 

Yeah yeah, but you do not mention the important thing. What livery will the DMU's carry.

Seriously though, something we dared not even dream of back in the days of trying to get to Herston. Makes me feel proud.