Swanage Diesel Gala May 10th -12th

[Jack2015]

Shaping up potentially to be one of the best line ups for a few years. classes 25,26,33 and 73's confirmed now with a class 44 , GBRF 50007 , 59002 also making an appearance with at least a couple more from the SVR to be revealed should provide a cracking weekend in the Purbecks.

 

[AnthonyRail]

Certainly is. Only able to do one day of it this year due to other commitments but looking forward to it

 

[Jack2015]

After the popularity of 40013 in 2017, I would be good if Swanage can secure 40106 for the event !? not sure if its currently operational or available though.

 

[31160]

I'm pretty sure its GBRF's 59003 not 002 that's going

 

[341o2]

Also the pre Gala day on the 9th when it will be a 2 diesel + 1 steam in operation, and mention (though not necessarily at the gala) of a visit by the 4TC sometime this year. Anyone know when?

 

[JonathanH]

4TC will be visiting four times over the summer top and tailed by GBRf 73/1s.

Sunday 28 July and the following three Sundays.

 

[yorksrob]

Will there be services running into Wareham in time for this ?

 

[matt]

Will there be services running into Wareham in time for this ?

No this gala. They are providing a bus service.

 

[yorksrob]

No this gala. They are providing a bus service.

Cheers.

That's a shame, but at least one can get there.

DMU still not ready ?

 

[Jack2015]

Swanage are claiming they don't have the correct rolling stock to run the services to Wareham so looks like Norden is the terminus for the north journeys. Still waiting what two EE visitors to be confirmed.

 

[E759]

A railway bus service in addition to the regular Breezer?

 

[AnthonyRail]

A railway bus service in addition to the regular Breezer?

Vintage bus provided with rover ticket

 

[E759]

Vintage bus provided with rover ticket

Oh! Lovely

 

[341o2]

Details here

 

[Chris999999]

Swanage are claiming they don't have the correct rolling stock to run the services to Wareham so looks like Norden is the terminus for the north journeys. Still waiting what two EE visitors to be confirmed.

So is this to be yet another year with no Wareham services? It is becoming a bit repetitive.

 

[Titfield]

The Class 117 and 121 DMUs have not been returned from refurbishment and upgrade to mainline standards by Arlington Fleet Services.

The LUL 4TC is not available to hire from LUL for the weekend.

From Worgret Junction to Wareham is on the mainline and rolling stock has to be mainline certified. It adds a great deal of cost and complexity to the event unless the railway has its own appropriately certified stock.

 

[Titfield]

and of course requires a Passenger Operations Licence, Non Mainline Safety Certificate etc etc.

 

[43096]

The Class 117 and 121 DMUs have not been returned from refurbishment and upgrade to mainline standards by Arlington Fleet Services.

How late are these now?

 

[341o2]

The biggest single factor in the delay is the new wheelsets from the USA. Perhaps that nice Mr Trump can tell us why

 

[alastair]

How late are these now?

I make it 4 years late. from BBC news 2013:

• 11 February 2013

A Dorset train service is to be reinstated 41 years after being axed thanks to a £1.47m grant.

A regular service on the 10-mile stretch between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Wareham is set to be restored by Spring 2015.

Government funding will pay to upgrade track and bridges and two 1960s heritage diesel bus trains to mainline running standards.

The project is set to create an estimated 50 jobs in the area.

'Historic news'
Peter Sills, chairman of Swanage Railway Company Ltd, rode on the last British Rail train from Swanage to Wareham in January 1972.

He said: "We are elated at this tremendous and very historic news because the Swanage Railway has been campaigning to bring back regular trains from Swanage and Corfe Castle to Wareham since 1972 when British Rail controversially axed the service."
He added: "It took British Rail just seven weeks to lift the seven miles of track between Furzebrook, Corfe Castle and Swanage but 30 long years for the Swanage Railway to relay it."

Trial services are planned for 50 days in 2015 and 90 days in 2016. It is hoped a year-round service will follow,

Purbeck District and Dorset County councils have allocated £3.2m for a new track point at Worgret Junction. It was installed by Network Rail in December to enable passenger trains to use the route.

 

[341o2]

Two years actually. The service ran in 2017, while SWR provided a Saturdays only service last year. Something similar may run this year

 

[Titfield]

The service ran in 2017 using hired in rolling stock.

SR seem to have been very reticent about the delay which is very disappointing given the amount of public money that has been put into the project.

 

[alastair]

Two years actually. The service ran in 2017, while SWR provided a Saturdays only service last year. Something similar may run this year

I was replying to this query, specifically about the dmu's, not the Wareham services in general:

The Class 117 and 121 DMUs have not been returned from refurbishment and upgrade to mainline standards by Arlington Fleet Services.
How late are these now?


I travelled on the 2017 WCRC operated trips and the SWR ones last year and both were excellent. Very much hoping the dmu's will eventually work out, but 4 yrs is a huge delay.

 

[341o2]

The service ran in 2017 using hired in rolling stock.

SR seem to have been very reticent about the delay which is very disappointing given the amount of public money that has been put into the project.

Due to the investment in the project, something had to run, which is why hired stock was used in 2017 at a loss of £70.000

 

[AnthonyRail]

Has 40106 been announced yet?

 

[31160]

Due to the investment in the project, something had to run, which is why hired stock was used in 2017 at a loss of £70.000

Is there any confirmation of the SWT through train running to Corfe Castle on Summer Saturdays again

 

[Ben.A.98]

Has 40106 been announced yet?

No, but Class 31 97205 (31163) has.

 

[Train Boy]

Has 40106 been announced yet?

As I understand it, 40106 was just speculation and is not attending.

 

[Fincra5]

So is this to be yet another year with no Wareham services? It is becoming a bit repetitive.

Not really, it Ran last year... At least there's a vintage bus between Wareham and Norden at no extra cost!

 

[Chris999999]

Not really, it Ran last year... At least there's a vintage bus between Wareham and Norden at no extra cost!

I assume you are referring to a SWR Saturday service for a few weeks. I also don't think a vintage bus is quite what was promised.

Large amounts of private and public money has been spent on getting this link working. There were to be a couple of years of regular and increasing trial services before, if the trials were successful, a more permanent service was implemented.

We are currently, 4 years later, in a situation where nothing has been achieved, and Swanage Railway have nothing to say.

Some honesty would help.