Swanage Railway General Discussion

Perhaps its getting ready for its move to the Dean Forest.1645 departure today all coaches full.

 

Forecast for today implied mainly sunshine with the possibility of frost early on. Forecast was wrong.
Fog for all three daylight Polar runs, car said it was minus 1 for the first image and a balmy 3 C for the other three.
I do find fog images quite moody though.

 

Four of today's [Sunday] five trains are limited availability.
Some of the forthcoming 16:45 departures are sold out and several of the remaining departures are indicated as Limited Availability although quite a few midweek days are showing as Good Availability.
Overall, for a first attempt, it seems to be working well and it is to be hoped that the franchise holder(s) is/are satisfied with the numbers. Despite the cost of tickets (which they set) there seems to be quite a few very positive comments on social media.

 

Yeah the 16.45 looks to be completely sold out today , at least on the website

 

Popped up in my You Tube feed. A good atmospheric video from "the Southerner", no background music, people on roofs or skidding a frozen lake!

 

At the risk of boring you all, the return of the 14:45 Polar energetically leaving Corfe Castle today.

 

I’ve just seen video online of the Polar Express going over the Norden level crossing. I was assuming they would terminate how Norden. How far up the line do they run?

 

I am told Arne Road Bridge by a friend. Must admit I was not aware it went over the road myself until last week, although it would account of the whistle series I have heard from around Corfe prior to the train returning.

 

Gladiator is correct, It goes just inside of the Down Home signal, The reason being that the North Pole is situated in the RRI Interchange.
At Swanage there is also a Grand arrival just before departure of each service, Rather a lot involved.
I assume the same applies at the Spa Valley Railway.

 

Andy, If I may correct you.
Norden is the North Pole, artistic licence.
If your at the North Pole, any direction you go is South.
Because of the length of the train, it has to pass Santa at the North Pole (Norden) so continues over the crossing, encounters Cariboo crossing the line, we stop. Then depart back across the crossing to Swanage.
Because the show takes place within the train, most have no idea how fast [slow] they are going or in which direction they are travelling.
As you quite rightly say, a lot is involved.
This is no cobbled together Swanage Railway, volunteer organised bash.
This is a polished show, run by a serious production company, with sound and lighting engineers and creditable actors, dancers and singers.
It is an event worthy of the London stage, but a damn sight cheaper than having to go up to smoke to watch it.

 

Great video again "Southerner" especially in the heavy mist we had recently.
Seven coaches plus the loco on the other end make for quite a load although, from time to time, there appears to be a bit of shovage which is understandable on gradients up to 1 in 76 [Load 11/12 ish for the 33 or around load 9/10 ish for 34028 I guess].
At least it seems around 15 mph is sufficient to keep to timings and still allow the on-board entertainers enough time to complete their various duties/acts.
Some of the 'North Pole' stage buildings at Norden needed one of the railway's diesel electric crane to lift them into place. The production company seems to have gone to some length to create a very good impression for visiting families.

 

My bad Steve.
I was under the impression it was beyond the crossing, Must admit I have not been to Norden yet, but that will change on Thursday 21st!
The only North Pole that I ever knew was North Pole Junction on the West London Line between Kensington Olympia and Mitre Bridge which joined the GW Main line, We used to take Diesel oil from Fawley to
Old Oak common and we also worked the Brockenhurst Stirling Motorail to Kensington Olympia, That was a looong time ago.

 

Too many people complained about the North Pole being at such an inconvenient location for public transport, so it's been relocated further south these days. (Much to the relief of people who recently move to the North Pole and then started complaining about all the bl***y tourists and noise, and no where to park in December).

 

Which I guess that was this is part of that I caught on Nov 17 on the way back from some physio at Wareham Hospital.

 

It's 8 and a bit MPH on the up and line speed on the down.

 

Changing the subject when can we expect details of the January event?

 

Doe s no one use the world please anymoor?

 

For those that nay not have seen it there are some driver experience packages with Eddystone that have appeared on the website.

https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events

Also I noticed walking back from sorting out yet another laptop problem for my dad (well he is 97), the chimney has been refitted to the T9. loco looks less unusual now.

 

Loco line up was confirmed earlier today; should be announced with full details and timetable within the next couple of days.

Edit - assuming you mean the Winter Warm Up, that is!

 

DMU on the 1st. I'm guard, come and say Hi