Swanage Railway General Discussion

Try my local branch of a certain supermarket in that well known Varsity city in the West Midlands on a Saturday Night…

Can’t remember where it was but didn’t some line have a problem with some cranks showing up to red pen something on a PE event some years ago and really weren’t bothered about the experience? I have a vague recollection it might have been 50026 and Wensleydale?

 

It's good to see that the Polar Express appears to be a success, Let's hope it, means the railway can look forward to 2024 with more certainty than was apparent before.

 

Indeed. Whilst it’s not out of the woods and there are still tough times ahead, the success of the PE has hopefully given the Swanage Railway a shot in the arm to help keep it going.

 

The latest issue of the Swanage Railway Magazine has been sent out to Members. Enclosed is a detailed update from the Swanage Railway Trust Chair Frank Roberts which certainly gives food for thought. The most telling comment I have picked out is "There is some more pain to come, and you should be in no doubt, that some of our Railway staff and volunteers need to get used to the word No."

Hopefully the success of the PE will reduce the level of the pain to come.

The call to arms "how you might assist your railway" has been reiterated including the Financial Appeal and the 200 Club Membership.

 

25% off PE after xmas ! Just announced

 

Only seems to be mentioned on their Facebook Page. Full price still if you go through the booking site.

 

I'm not quite sure adding more carriage to the seven coach train can be accommodated at Swanage platform.
I know that the railway, more recently, was requested to run services on Christmas Eve [which wasn't originally planned] due to demand for seats.
Perhaps what the article means is that planned 'three train days' have been increased to four (or five) and 'four train days' increased to five also.
There certainly have been some empty seats at the diesel end of the earlier [daylight] trains. Organisers book up seating from the steam [Swanage] end first apparently - which makes sense.
Despite this, apparently over 19,000 tickets have been sold already - and that was as at a few days ago.
Incidentally it's very strange seeing so many people walking around Swanage in pyjamas - some of the families (Adults and Children) are all dressed alike!

 

Also on Instagram.

 

Yes I took it to be some extra trains rather than extra coaches on exiting trains. I guess the journalist could argue 6 extra coaches on an extra train, so to the less initiated more accurate than a lot of railway reporting in the national media.

 

From FB you have add the cure25 code.

 

NO, There have been a maximum of up to five pathways at 1100 1245 1445 1645 and 1845 ex Swanage, The production company determining how many trains they want to run on specific days, So the 1445 1645 and 1845 have run every time with the two earlier trains running as required. I assume the SPA Valley Railway has the same sort of arrangement. I think all five are running today but Tomorrow Xmas eve, the first three only are running.
Obviously the Production company are looking to sell seats for the last four days.

 

By extra trains I really meant the 11:00 which has appeared and disappeared over the time of the event so far. I think it was the weekend before last where it was there, then not, then reappeared on the booking site.

 

Ah yes, I see what you mean! But pathways existed for running all five trains, to be honest, I don't know how Polar express go about advertising the trains.
on their website,
I know the 1100 working ran last Sunday and I think Saturday as well.

 

Walking back from Boots last evening Eddystone peeks out from behind the Christmas Tree.

 

Was on the 16.45 PE today with our family of nine.
Went into town for a meal afterwards. First thing the barmaid said was 'Polar Express' ?
We were all wearing matching Pj's, but did not feel out of place, lovely vibe with so many other families around and about.

 

Well, going round Swanage in your PJs is enough to curdle the milk

Merry Christmas as well as a Happy and Healthy New Year to all on National Preservation from 'Sunny' - well, moist-ish - Swanage. At least the nights are now starting to get shorter.

 

A little bit disappointed at the lack of a scheduled steam hauled service between Swanage and Corfe Castle / Norden between Christmas and New Year.

I fully appreciate the financial imperative and thus the operation of the Polar Express on the 27th - 30th December and Diesel service 31st Dec and 1st January but a trip to Corfe Castle during this time has been a staple part of our Christmas activities. I wonder how many others are equally disappointed?

 

Although my own loco roster shows it was 2019 the last time a stem service operated between Xmas and New Year, and one of those days was the Warm Up anyway.
DMU service last year, so not sure how many would now regard it as "normal". With the forecast for this week I would venture guaranteed Polar money, whatever that may be, is probably worth more.

 

TBH I've looked locally (100 mile radius) and cannot find a railway doing any service apart from steam and lights etc.
I agree that there must be business out there during the festive season and Sundays throughout the year for that matter.

 

The Bluebell is running two steam Thursday to Sunday (plus a third loco on a dining train on Sunday), and four in steam on New Years Day. Kids for a quid as well.

(Edit - just over your 100 mile threshold though).

Tom