Swanage Railway announce 2023 Wareham service

[Titfield]

If this is purely a 'feeder' to the Swanage Railway, as posts above suggest, it seems strange that it's running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, but not Sundays, or Bank Holiday Mondays - wouldn't the latter be the busier days?

From passenger carrying data built up over many years the busiest days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Monday and Friday are the quietest. Sunday can be quite an odd day in seaside resorts with day trippers leaving to go home earlier than normal possibly because of school / work on the Monday. (I appreciate that if it is school holidays or a Bank Holiday Monday that doesnt apply).

 

[61653 HTAFC]

With regard to the fitting of central door locking, do the units in use on this service have every door fitted, or are some locked out permanently as per the old Cardiff Bay bubble car?

I'd have thought a low-density set would have been a more suitable candidate for the job, simply because it would have fewer doors needing modifications. Of course the best units for the job are probably the ones the railway already owns.

 

[Dougal2345]

With regard to the fitting of central door locking, do the units in use on this service have every door fitted, or are some locked out permanently as per the old Cardiff Bay bubble car?

I'd have thought a low-density set would have been a more suitable candidate for the job, simply because it would have fewer doors needing modifications. Of course the best units for the job are probably the ones the railway already owns.

Certainly the 117 on which I travelled the other day had many doors sealed up, handles removed, with maybe only 3 or 4 on each side available for use.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Certainly the 117 on which I travelled the other day had many doors sealed up, handles removed, with maybe only 3 or 4 on each side available for use.

Thanks. A bit "inauthentic" but certainly makes things easier for the railway from a cost point of view.
Of course, it's not all that long since slam door units were the norm on the mainline, though the stretch through Wareham got rid of them a bit earlier than the bits closer to London.

 

[nw1]

Thanks. A bit "inauthentic" but certainly makes things easier for the railway from a cost point of view.
Of course, it's not all that long since slam door units were the norm on the mainline, though the stretch through Wareham got rid of them a bit earlier than the bits closer to London.

I have a feeling there were still 1 or 2 CIG-operated services to Weymouth even post-2000.

 

[Train Boy]

Having traveled on the services today, it was busier than I imagined it would be, but I didn't factor in half term.

A volunteer said that most services averaged circa 70 people travelling on the Wareham to Norden section today, but by far, all of the DMU services were busiest between Corfe and Swanage.

 

[fgwrich]

With regard to the fitting of central door locking, do the units in use on this service have every door fitted, or are some locked out permanently as per the old Cardiff Bay bubble car?

I'd have thought a low-density set would have been a more suitable candidate for the job, simply because it would have fewer doors needing modifications. Of course the best units for the job are probably the ones the railway already owns.

Don't forget that Dorset Council owned at least one of the 117s eventually used in the trial (the restored unit is a mix of the lines original unit + a vehicle or two formerly owned by the council). In the end, 3 coaches of capacity won over the 2 coaches offered by the 108, which also required an overhaul. The prospect of the TC coming back and the 117 + 121 being the main DMUs for the line resulted in the sale of the 108 to a private buyer operating them under the custodian of Llangollen Railcars.

To be honest, with the way the modifications have been carried out, you'd be hard pressed to see where the missing doors are - It's been done very sympathetically.

Class 117 DMU on the Swanage railway

CMU Class 117 seen leaving Herston station with a service to Swanage

flickr.com

 

[jupiter]

Nice photo. A fine looking unit if I may say so!

 

[chrisp37]

We used this service at the weekend (Saturday 17 June) for a daytrip to Swanage from London (Worcester Park to be precise) and I am pleased to report that it all worked very well. In fact every single train we got that day (from Worcester Park through to Swanage, with changes at Clapham Junction, Woking and Wareham on the way there and back again without the Woking change) was pretty much on time to the minute. It's very pleasing when that happens.

It's a little bit of a shame that catching the first train of the day from Wareham and the last train back from Swanage only gives you just over 4 hours at Swanage, but we used the time well. We decided to have dinner in Wareham and get a later evening train back home from there, to make it into a fuller day trip. We caught the 7.58 train from Worcester Park and arrived back at Worcester Park at 22:49.

I was glad to see a decent number of people using the service - at least on the first train out to Swanage and the last train back. There was a film crew on the train as well. I overheard that they were making a tourist video showing what there was to see at each of the stops, but I am not sure whether this was a video commissioned by the railway itself or some other tourist board or organisation.

 

[railfan99]

We used this service at the weekend (Saturday 17 June) for a daytrip to Swanage from London (Worcester Park to be precise) and I am pleased to report that it all worked very well. In fact every single train we got that day (from Worcester Park through to Swanage, with changes at Clapham Junction, Woking and Wareham on the way there and back again without the Woking change) was pretty much on time to the minute. It's very pleasing when that happens.

The TOCs cop much criticism, some justified, but in September 2022 on a Eurailpass, travelling intensively, I had two only significant examples of late running in three weeks, one of which was Norwich to Doncaster on EMR when two 'units' as you call them (railcars) had to be combined, and there wasn't a driver available for in excess of half an hour, and the other at Doncaster on the same day due to signal failures (not as bad as Norwich incident). I had one obvious cancellation (at Preston, a TPE train, surprise, surprise, but was able to reach Manchester Oxford Road by an alternative route - not something I can often do in Australia!) Many trains ran on time to the minute, or within five minutes, so despite numerous members of the UK public who believe otherwise (lots of whom never use rail), UK rail can still 'do it'. Of course, being an ill-informed foreign devil, I'm not always aware of padding in timetables.

It's a little bit of a shame that catching the first train of the day from Wareham and the last train back from Swanage only gives you just over 4 hours at Swanage, but we used the time well.

Four hours is a reasonable period of time to enjoy a town, although you may have wanted to enjoy walks around the area.

I was glad to see a decent number of people using the service - at least on the first train out to Swanage and the last train back.

Great! We now have similarly pleasing reports from four recent Galas (such as at Severn Valley and West Somerset Railways) that were very well patronised. Huge thanks for posting your experience.

In September 2023 I hope to be on the RTC tour to Swanage as it's a preserved railway I've not done, so I'll make sure I spend in its cafe(s)/gift shop(s) as it needs the money.

 

[physics34]

First jaunt onto a preserved railway and first time behind a steam locomotive today (apart from the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Rwl) for me. Nice little trip. Parking ok at Wareham.

Two cars of the 117 and 121028 (dont think it was ever officially given that number!) in service. Memories of these on the Clapham to Willesden service in the mid 90s.

Nice little scenic line, decent attendance for a tuesday too. Only downside was that the cafes at both Norden and Corfe Castle were closed and there was nothing at Wareham. Couldnt even get a bottle of water. Was dying by the time i collected my car at wareham.

Wareham to swanage DMU
Swanage to Norden
Norden to Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle to Wareham DMU

 

[Brush 4]

There are cafes and a shop only yards from Corfe station. I agree Wareham is a bit of a desert. There is a bus cafe next to the up side of the station by the bus stop but, opening times are.... fluid.

 

[Titfield]

Nice little scenic line, decent attendance for a tuesday too. Only downside was that the cafes at both Norden and Corfe Castle were closed and there was nothing at Wareham. Couldnt even get a bottle of water. Was dying by the time i collected my car at wareham.

Swanage Railway uses a mix of paid and volunteer staff to operate the refreshment kiosks / cafes at Swanage, Corfe castle Station and Norden. They have struggled to recruit and retain volunteers for the catering operation. Recruiting seasonal staff on the Isle of Purbeck has got progressively difficult each year with many businesses simply having to close on some days or not be open in the evenings. For whatever reason students seem reluctant to take on paid summer jobs.

 

[physics34]

There are cafes and a shop only yards from Corfe station. I agree Wareham is a bit of a desert. There is a bus cafe next to the up side of the station by the bus stop but, opening times are.... fluid.

Had 15 min connection so didnt wanna go far... i didnt realise they were so close

 

[KevlarT9]

There are cafes and a shop only yards from Corfe station. I agree Wareham is a bit of a desert. There is a bus cafe next to the up side of the station by the bus stop but, opening times are.... fluid.

The blue bus cafe/takeaway has ceased trading. There is a Spar shop 5-10 minutes walk around the corner.

 

[physics34]

The blue bus cafe/takeaway has ceased trading. There is a Spar shop 5-10 minutes walk around the corner.

thanks, will remember this for the future

Swanage Railway uses a mix of paid and volunteer staff to operate the refreshment kiosks / cafes at Swanage, Corfe castle Station and Norden. They have struggled to recruit and retain volunteers for the catering operation. Recruiting seasonal staff on the Isle of Purbeck has got progressively difficult each year with many businesses simply having to close on some days or not be open in the evenings. For whatever reason students seem reluctant to take on paid summer jobs.

point taken. but im sure they are missing out on a bit of cash. time for a vending machine (out of the way obviously) or a water drinking fountain then

 

[D Williams]

Arranging the catering service for a heritage railway is nowhere near as easy or as profitable as is often thought. In my short time involved in running a heritage railway the catering was a continual problem and caused more trouble than the rest of the activities put together. I won't bore you with the details but it is a minefield. At Swanage you only have to step out of the station and you are swamped with retail food and drink outlets. Corfe Castle station has a friendly buffet that I assume is volunteer run, but of course, volunteers can't always be available.

 

[Titfield]

Arranging the catering service for a heritage railway is nowhere near as easy or as profitable as is often thought. In my short time involved in running a heritage railway the catering was a continual problem and caused more trouble than the rest of the activities put together. I won't bore you with the details but it is a minefield. At Swanage you only have to step out of the station and you are swamped with retail food and drink outlets. Corfe Castle station has a friendly buffet that I assume is volunteer run, but of course, volunteers can't always be available.

Yes. Once Greggs opened in Swanage (on Station Road a 3 minute walk from the station) and the Coop ( less than a minute from the station) and Budgens (Richardsons)((a minute from the station) put more focus on "food to go" then the demand for refreshments at Swanage Station (from the Birds Nest Buffet) dropped very considerably. I think it was once said there were over 40 establishments within a 10 minute walk of Swanage Station where you could buy a hot / cod drink and a hot / cold snack.

 

[physics34]

Arranging the catering service for a heritage railway is nowhere near as easy or as profitable as is often thought. In my short time involved in running a heritage railway the catering was a continual problem and caused more trouble than the rest of the activities put together. I won't bore you with the details but it is a minefield. At Swanage you only have to step out of the station and you are swamped with retail food and drink outlets. Corfe Castle station has a friendly buffet that I assume is volunteer run, but of course, volunteers can't always be available.

I resisted getting something at Swanage cos i assumed the refreshments were avaliable at Corfe Castle or Norden as per the leaflet, but they didnt have a till working, (at CC), so they said.. I appreciate the hard work all the volunteers do, and good on em.

 

[railfan99]

When the RTC tour on which I hope to be on visits in September 2023, will Swanage Railway endeavour to open its refreshment facility at the terminus?

Many of these travellers might patronise it on such a day. I acknowledge that catering has its difficulties overall, especially with 'use by' dates on stock and/or 'best before' as we have in my country.

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

Arranging the catering service for a heritage railway is nowhere near as easy or as profitable as is often thought. In my short time involved in running a heritage railway the catering was a continual problem and caused more trouble than the rest of the activities put together. I won't bore you with the details but it is a minefield. At Swanage you only have to step out of the station and you are swamped with retail food and drink outlets. Corfe Castle station has a friendly buffet that I assume is volunteer run, but of course, volunteers can't always be available.

Actually, catering can be highly profitable for heritage railways but it is not really for amateurs. I am not comparing Swanage with a French Town of similar size where studying menus is part of the fun but there is a lot of choice and thus competition. A terminus in a town has disadvantages as well as advantages.

 

[KevlarT9]

School holiday saving. Kids 5-15 go for £1.00 when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Includes Wareham service. See Swanage website for t's & c's.

 

[JGurney]

Recruiting seasonal staff on the Isle of Purbeck has got progressively difficult each Year........ For whatever reason students seem reluctant to take on paid summer jobs.

I suppose for students from far afield on working holidays, the cost of accomodation in Swanage is a barrier. For those resident in Bournemouth or Poole there is probably work closer to home. The number of students resident in Swanage and its environs and in need of summer work outside their own family's businesses will probably be fairly small.

 

[Titfield]

I suppose for students from far afield on working holidays, the cost of accomodation in Swanage is a barrier. For those resident in Bournemouth or Poole there is probably work closer to home. The number of students resident in Swanage and its environs and in need of summer work outside their own family's businesses will probably be fairly small.

Anecdotally it has been said that a combination of student loans, the bank of mum and dad (or Grandma and Grandad) has reduced the imperative for students to go out and earn some cash over the summer holidays. How much effect this has and whether more cash conscious parents / grandparents are going to be as prices rise remain to be seen.

 

[williamn]

I'm hoping to use this service for a visit to Swanage - doing an overnight as it's a fair way from London. Am I right in thinking though that this will mean having to buy x2 £20 singles, and that doesn't include the ability to travel on other trains those days?

 

[Titfield]

Yes that is correct. Are you thinking of going up and down the line on one or more days? In which case a Freedom of the Line ticket at £25 for each of those days (ie £50 in total) may prove to be better value for money.

You could of course contact Swanage Railway - the passenger services manager is Mr Martin Trott - and ask if they would consider making you some form of concession as imho £40 seems a lot for a period return with no ability for multiple journeys.

 

[Falcon1200]

I'm hoping to use this service for a visit to Swanage - doing an overnight as it's a fair way from London.

I visited Swanage in April, by train from Oxford, including changes at Reading, Basingstoke and Southampton/Winchester, plus stop-offs at Norden, Swanage and Corfe Castle (although I didn't actually leave Swanage station), so a day trip is doable. And cheaper of course!

 

[Dougal2345]

Swanage Railway uses a mix of paid and volunteer staff to operate the refreshment kiosks / cafes at Swanage, Corfe castle Station and Norden. They have struggled to recruit and retain volunteers for the catering operation. Recruiting seasonal staff on the Isle of Purbeck has got progressively difficult each year with many businesses simply having to close on some days or not be open in the evenings. For whatever reason students seem reluctant to take on paid summer jobs.

I suppose for students from far afield on working holidays, the cost of accomodation in Swanage is a barrier. For those resident in Bournemouth or Poole there is probably work closer to home. The number of students resident in Swanage and its environs and in need of summer work outside their own family's businesses will probably be fairly small.

If only seasonal staff and students could commute into the Purbecks to work, from the nearby Poole/Bournemouth conurbation, on a fast and frequent rail service running every day from morning to evening...

 

[paul1609]

If only seasonal staff and students could commute into the Purbecks to work, from the nearby Poole/Bournemouth conurbation, on a fast and frequent rail service running every day from morning to evening...

Wouldn't they likely use the faster, (much)cheaper and (much) more frequent 50 bus instead?

 

[Dougal2345]

Wouldn't they likely use the faster, (much)cheaper and (much) more frequent 50 bus instead?

Well my post was a light-hearted rumination on the fantasy that the Swanage line were part of the national network, electrified, had reasonable line speeds, and trains from Bournemouth to Swanage were as frequent as, say, Brockenhurst to Lymington Town.

So if we say that Bournemouth-Swanage would be equivalent to Bournemouth-Moreton (about the same distance) it would take about 39 minutes, cost about £13 for an Anytime return, and the first train might arrive at around 7am and the last depart after 11:30pm. Frequency half-hourly [I know Moreton is only hourly, let's take Dorchester South for that bit of the comparison, Swanage isn't going to have many trains passing through non-stop ] and good reliability and comfort, 250+ seats.

A very 'commutable' journey in other words.

The bus no 50 by comparison? Tickets £2 each way at the moment - but only whilst the subsidy lasts, then it will be £10 there and back. First bus arrives 09:05 - fat lot of good for a 9-5 job, even if it could be relied upon to arrive at anything like that time after a slog through rush-hour Bournemouth and a chain-ferry crossing! Journey time 70 minutes at best, often timetabled for 80. Frequency half-hourly, except when it isn't. Last bus back 22:05. Lively and bouncy journey (to put it in the kindest way possible), just don't expect to be able to use a laptop - even typing on your 'phone will be a challenge. But will you get a seat, or even be able to board?

Anyone trying to commute daily to work that way would have to be off their rocker.

When I was looking for the capacity of the Breezers, I didn't find the figure, but the first offering from Google was this one - says it all really...

Advertised as the Purbeck Breezer, the 50 is managed by MoreBus using convertible EvoSeti's, running from Bournemouth Station-Swanage. It is timetabled to take around 70 minutes, but some serious rescheduling needs to be done before next summer, especially after my experience riding this route. It does provide some brilliant views, but definitely avoid the "tourist rush hour", as your journey could be painful!