Swanage Railway announce 2023 Wareham service

[railfan99]

Excellent initiative, but why isn't it operating on Sundays?

 

[Train Boy]

There's also no cafe or kiosk at the station, and nothing in the immediate vicinity (there is a SPAR shop 5 minutes walk away that sells hot drinks, but it's existence is far from obvious when you're at the station).

Perhaps Swanage Railway could consider laying something welcoming on in this department?

When I was at Wareham throughout 2022, behind the Purbeck Breezer bus stop outside the station in the area with the VW camper vans, there was a bus with 'Private' on the blinds which was actually a newly established greasy spoon. It had gathered a good reputation from what I heard and good prices. I did sample it myself once and would be inclined to agree. Admittedly, I haven't been since October and got the impression it appeared to be open on an as and when basis.

 

[yorksrob]

When I was at Wareham throughout 2022, behind the Purbeck Breezer bus stop outside the station in the area with the VW camper vans, there was a bus with 'Private' on the blinds which was actually a newly established greasy spoon. It had gathered a good reputation from what I heard and good prices. I did sample it myself once and would be inclined to agree. Admittedly, I haven't been since October and got the impression it appeared to be open on an as and when basis.

It was there when I visited at Christmas, but I think it was closed. Not surprising perhaps, given it was the holiday period and out of season, but I imagine should be handy at other times.

The station building seemed to be open when I arrived and when I got back, which was handy.

There also appears to be a curry house immediately outside the station.

 

[railfan99]

Will ticket machines at unattended stations show a combined SWR-Swanage Railway ticket, single or return, as an option?

 

[yorksrob]

Presumably the Network Card discount will work on the through tickets ?

 

[Titfield]

There's also no cafe or kiosk at the station, and nothing in the immediate vicinity (there is a SPAR shop 5 minutes walk away that sells hot drinks, but it's existence is far from obvious when you're at the station).

Perhaps Swanage Railway could consider laying something welcoming on in this department?




Just checked and you're right, at least as per the scheduled timings.

RTT has Wareham to Swanage taking either 41 or 48 minutes by SR train, meanwhile the bus is timetabled for 39 minutes for much of the day (though sometimes less than that) from Wareham station to Swanage station.

The buses are of course liable to get caught up in traffic, especially during peak season.




I was rather hoping that the quoted prices for SR-only journeys are period returns, rather than just day returns.

Of course how through ticketing works is another matter.

IIRC The cycle shop sells (or at least used to) sell some drinks.

I do not think there is anywhere in the station building that could be used - not least that met the hygiene requirements.

Perhaps the (privately owned) Tea Truck that was at Corfe Castle prior to the relocation of the Birds Nest Buffet carriage could go to Wareham Station subject to landlords approval etc etc.

The cafe bus at the VW Camper Van place (behind the bus stop) hasnt been open the last half a dozen times I have been at Wareham.

The "danger" with a period return is someone turning up to use the return portion on a day that the service isnt operating.

I suspect that the reason the service isnt operating on Sundays is to allow the Dorsetman Luncheon train to operate.

 

[Train Boy]

I suspect that the reason the service isnt operating on Sundays is to allow the Dorsetman Luncheon train to operate.

I was under the impression, but will be happy to be corrected, that this has been formally discontinued for 2023 due to the deterioration of the dining set, particularly the bar car being deemed unserviceable in January, but the whole set requiring a £200,000 overhaul.

 

[Deepgreen]

You are right, I must have been. 31 mins still quite a long connection though no matter how lovely the station!

Yes, that is too long to be attractive to non-enthusiasts! It needs to be slicker than that.

 

[Titfield]

I was under the impression, but will be happy to be corrected, that this has been formally discontinued for 2023 due to the deterioration of the dining set, particularly the bar car being deemed unserviceable in January, but the whole set requiring a £200,000 overhaul.

Thank you. I wasnt aware of that decision but knew that the set was requiring some work.

Perhaps the decision not to operate on Sundays is a combination of wcr resource, limited mainline services to / from Wareham and predicted passenger numbers.

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

Yes, that is too long to be attractive to non-enthusiasts! It needs to be slicker than that.

My fingers are tightly crossed. It's a bad time to launch a new scheme particularly one with a strong whiff of WIBN about it.

If, indeed, it has not been sorted by now, the ''linear scrapyard'' near Norden desperately needs removal. It is exactly what most people don't want to see from a train.

 

[yorksrob]

My fingers are tightly crossed. It's a bad time to launch a new scheme particularly one with a strong whiff of WIBN about it.

If, indeed, it has not been sorted by now, the ''linear scrapyard'' near Norden desperately needs removal. It is exactly what most people don't want to see from a train.

I'm not convinced that most passengers are that fussed about the linear scrap yard.

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

I'm not convinced that most passengers are that fussed about the linear scrap yard.

Who knows one way or another? People tend to be more conscious about statutory protection of land nowadays and railways should remember what a small proportion of passengers are enthusiasts as such.

Much of Purbeck has AONB or SSSI status.
.

 

[Titfield]

Who knows one way or another? People tend to be more conscious about statutory protection of land nowadays and railways should remember what a small proportion of passengers are enthusiasts as such.

Much of Purbeck has AONB or SSSI status.
.

If the "linear scrap yard" includes all the stuff at Norden Road Rail Interchange then there is a high possibility SRT SRC are in breach of their planning permission for the RRI.

Potentially upsetting your landlord who are also the planning authority and also potentially the head leaseholder at the Furzebrook sidings does not seem like a good idea to me.

 

[James H]

They've just announced that the £99 annual Swanage Railway season ticket will include the Wareham service, which is a very good deal.

 

[Titfield]

They've just announced that the £99 annual Swanage Railway season ticket will include the Wareham service, which is a very good deal.

Hmm that rather makes the Life Time Membership of the Swanage Railway Trust which includes travel between Swanage and Norden (but not Wareham) look like comparatively poor value for money.

 

[paul1609]

I rather think they are betting it will only be for one year, unless somebody comes up with the subsidy to cover the losses that the Wareham service will undoubtably make.

 

[341o2]

It has already stated that the service will run for three trial years before deciding whether to make it a permanent fixture
Year 1 - 2017
2 - 2023
3 ?

They've just announced that the £99 annual Swanage Railway season ticket will include the Wareham service, which is a very good deal.

£49.50 child rate

 

[James H]

It has already stated that the service will run for three trial years before deciding whether to make it a permanent fixture
Year 1 - 2017
2 - 2023
3 ?

No, the commitment to funders was a two year trial - one trial of 50 days, and another of 90 days. Originally slated for 2015 and 2016, but held up when the DMU restoration at Eastleigh was delayed.

After this year's 90 days of operation they will have met their obligations.

 

[KeithMcC]

The SWR website has no information on any through fares or trains - it suggests getting the bus from Wareham. It does mention a through train from Salisbury to Corfe via Weymouth, but without offering any further information on when this might run.

 

[James H]

That's out of date info from 2018 and 2019.

 

[cygnus44]

Twenty five quid for 10 miles on a DMU far to expensive in my view, especially with the alternative bus service being two quid until end of June at least and quicker on the bus.

 

[williamn]

Seems to be set up to fail tbh, given the poor timings and the cost, which is a great shame given the amount of taxpayers money that has gone into it.

 

[Titfield]

Seems to be set up to fail tbh, given the poor timings and the cost, which is a great shame given the amount of taxpayers money that has gone into it.

I think you need to expand upon what you mean by poor timings and the cost?

The Wareham fare can not be lower than the Swanage <> Corfe Castle / Norden fare as that would undermine the core heritage rail operation.

The timings of the services are constrained by a combination of single track on the branch (and few passing places), the pathing onto the mainline and that the operation has to be within a one shift day for the hired in crews on cost grounds.

The tax payers money has been spent on essential signalling works and bringing the permanent way up to the required standard between Worgret Junction (the mainline boundary) and the former operational limit of the branch at Norden. Arguably the money spent on refurbishing the DMUs to mainline standards (at C£1.25M) could have been spent differently but that decision was taken a great many years ago when Dorset Council acquired the units for Project Wareham.

 

[williamn]

I think you need to expand upon what you mean by poor timings and the cost?

The Wareham fare can not be lower than the Swanage <> Corfe Castle / Norden fare as that would undermine the core heritage rail operation.

The timings of the services are constrained by a combination of single track on the branch (and few passing places), the pathing onto the mainline and that the operation has to be within a one shift day for the hired in crews on cost grounds.

The tax payers money has been spent on essential signalling works and bringing the permanent way up to the required standard between Worgret Junction (the mainline boundary) and the former operational limit of the branch at Norden. Arguably the money spent on refurbishing the DMUs to mainline standards (at C£1.25M) could have been spent differently but that decision was taken a great many years ago when Dorset Council acquired the units for Project Wareham.

Well the poor connections with trains from London - 30 minute connections with trains from the London direction aren't attractive. And the fare is unattractive compared to the bus, though I understand the reasons for it. Neither of these things will encourage people to leave cars at home or to take the train over the bus. As a way of providing an alternative public transport option to Swanage I can't see it working. I'll do it as I'm an enthusiast, but I can't see it appealing to those needing transport. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it to work, but can't see how it can tbh!

 

[DarloRich]

I don't understand this board at times. There has been such clamour to get this service running and then when it is announced there is such negativity and many complaints about price and the fact it is a waste of money!

sigh.

EDIT: Personally this link means I can easily access this preserved railway. Thta seems like a bonus for me.

 

[Turbo004]

I'm planning to use this service at some point this year. As part of my planning I double checked by telephoning that TOC staff discount (Priv) cards are valid and whether I could get off at Corfe Castle or Norden to change onto a steam train. It was confirmed that I could use my staff travel card on services. It was also confirmed that I could break my journey at no extra charge to travel by steam engine for part of the way.

Overall I think like DarloRich has stated I think it's great that it will be easy to access the Swanage Railway this year by rail.

 

[Titfield]

Well the poor connections with trains from London - 30 minute connections with trains from the London direction aren't attractive. And the fare is unattractive compared to the bus, though I understand the reasons for it. Neither of these things will encourage people to leave cars at home or to take the train over the bus. As a way of providing an alternative public transport option to Swanage I can't see it working. I'll do it as I'm an enthusiast, but I can't see it appealing to those needing transport. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it to work, but can't see how it can tbh!

Quite a few people will only leave their car at home when the alternative is a door to door taxi ride free of charge, and even then they will wibble.

You only have to consider the number of multi car owning retirees who spurn the use of the free bus pass to realise how challenging it is to get some people out of their cars.

The railway stands no comparison with the bus service - it is as simple as that. The reality is that coming from the East you are better off getting the train to Bournemouth and then the half hourly (peak season) Breezer 50 to Swanage.

Those who think that they can encourage large numbers of people from their cars are ignoring the reality. The only way to get people out of their cars is to make it impossible for them to park or have congestion so bad that the car journey takes 3 times as long as by bus or rail.

If you offered cheap fares on the Swanage branch then the line will be bust in a matter of weeks. The unavoidable costs are simply too high.

 

[Barclay]

As others have commented, the services are well-timed for a decent family day out from stations along the South Western Mainline. A mid-morning start from Southampton, Totton, Brockenhurst, New Milton, and stations through the Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole conurbation. These local-ish areas (plus Dorchester and Weymouth in the opposite direction) should be the target market to users of the new service.

The proposed service allows a relaxed change of trains at Wareham, 5 hours in Corfe Castle, train back to Wareham, 20 minutes to change trains, and home for tea. I hope it succeeds, and will be using it myself.

 

[williamn]

It may be I misunderstood the new service, I had thought it was meant as a public transport option. If it's simply a heritage railway connecting to the mainline, it's fine, and it will mean I can visit a heritage railway that I've previously not. I do hope that period returns might become available in the through ticketing as that will make a short break rather than just a day trip much more appealing.

 

[alf]

I don't understand this board at times. There has been such clamour to get this service running and then when it is announced there is such negativity and many complaints about price and the fact it is a waste of money!

sigh.

EDIT: Personally this link means I can easily access this preserved railway. Thta seems like a bonus for me.

With many others I campaigned like a demon to get a service from Wareham to Swanage but this is not the service we worked for.

Too expensive. Ridiculous waiting times at Wareham which will ensure the public won’t use it a second time with the children saying ‘when are we getting there?”
Slow running time, surely they could have got 40 mph between Worgret Junction & Norden. Southern Region had 60 mph all the way.
Trains starting too late & finishing too early.
And finally running for only a few months each year.
It is as if it has been designed not to attract the public.

I pray I am wrong. I want it to be a huge success.