Dartmouth Steam Railway General Discusssion

I'm not completely sure, probably best to ask someone from the Swange Railway. I think they did have one or two mechanical issues with their DB but as I said I'm not to sure. What I can say is it made for a good sight and a nice little bit of history!

 

When I was at Swanage, a couple of weeks before Christmas, the Dartmouth Pullman was in use whereas the home one was parked up in the carriage sidings at Herston.

 

That's strange is there any difference between them?

 

Here is the published 2016 timetable. There have been some tweaks to the timetables from previous years so do have a good look. Unlisted on here are photo charters which involve 4936 in March (13th - 15th) and 75014 in November.

Key dates:

- Beer Festival 15th - 17th July
- Regatta 25th - 27th August

 

What are the main differences? I can't tell!

 

Bogies, running gear, corridor connection, vent on the observation end of Car 13, and that's before you get to stuff inside like the different bar layout, different seating etc! I think they could be well described as the same but different.

 

There are a few differences from 2015:
- The Blue timetable is now a 4 train service instead of a 3 train service it has been the past few years.
- The Orange timetable has been tweaked so that services leaving Kingswear now leave 5 mins earlier to make the crossover at Churston a bit better and avoiding having to stop a train on the bank.
- There are also no late Wednesday services on the Orange timetable this year.

 

Where do trains stop on the bank? Shame about the late Wednesdays have gone, I guess they were not worthwhile.

 

The are signals on the approaches, in both directions, to Churston Station which protect the passing loop at the station. The one on the Paignton side is a steeper grade than that from Kingswear. A heavy train, combined with wet rails, can make a difficult restart on the Paignton side. Two arriving trains are not allowed to enter the loop at the same time: hence the need to halt one if they arrive together.

 

When does 4936 arrive, and how long is she staying for?

 

It should just be for the 3 days of photo charters in March.

More Info here: http://www.timelineevents.org/produ...team-dream-delight-day-1-of-3-13th-march-2016

 

From the DSR Blog:

http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/news/detail/workshop-news-january

 

Wasn't Kinet hall meant to head a Torbay express recently which ended up diesel hauled? Due to gauge issues on the railway, so how come she can visit for a charter?

 

The loco was due to haul two charters organised by Steam Dreams. They were booked to run between Westbury and Kingswear at the end of September. The first was diesel hauled and the second cancelled. I believe that the gauging issues were to do with the national network rather that the PDSR. <BJ>

 

Nothing to do with the railway itself, Kinlet Hall was on hire during the 2012 season for a few months. We can handle more or less anything, even a SWT class 159!

I believe it is something to do with the down platform at Torquay. Kinlet Hall run light up to the WSR from Paignton after its hire stint. Not too sure if this has been resolved.

 

Car 13 should be back at the P&D by now, leaving Swanage metals by road yesterday. Thanks are obviously due to all at the P&D for their assistance in hiring Car 13 to us at Swanage for the Santa workings.

 

https://www.facebook.com/DinmoreMan...7072999791864/558637804302046/?type=3&theater

No Facebook account needed to view the news item.

 

Dinmore Manor looked great and fitted in well at the DSR. I and I am sure many others will be pleased to see her again this summer.

 

Great news, loved the double headed manors.

 

Pre season update:

Trains start again on Saturday for the 2016 season! You can see the full timetable either from my previous post or by visiting www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk. 4277 will be the engine to haul the first passenger train of the season.

This year we have two guest engines, 7820 Dinmore Manor will return for the summer in June (as previously posted) but GWR 5542 will also be hired in from April until September to assist with the running season. We currently only have two operational engines in the form of 4277 & 7827, this is until 75014 is returned to steam in the summer.

Talking of 75014, work on the engine is progressing well and is on track for return to steam during the summer. Please have a look on the website blog for regular updates from the workshop including news on 4555.

The relay between Waterside and Broadsands is more or less complete and a tamper has been hired in and being used at various locations along the line where required. D7535 and D2371 has also been involved in the relay work, photos can be seen of them at work on the company's Facebook page.

The photo charter booked in for March with 4936 Kinlet Hall looks like it won't be going ahead. There is possiblity of 7827 substituting TBC.

Hope this has updated you to all of the goings on and hope you enjoy the 2016 season.