PrestburyJack Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) Swanage Railway members will have received a letter about the start of the Swanage - Wareham trial service on 13 June 2017. The service is also advertised on the Swanage Railway website. http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news/detail/public-train-service-to-link-swanage-corfe-castle-with-the-main-line-at-wareham-for-the-first-time-since-1972 I have copied the important bits below: "The Swanage Railway have announced the launch of the new Swanage - Wareham trial diesel train service on 13 June 2017. The service will operate on 60 days this year, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays until 3rd September. Class 33 / 47 diesel locomotives are operating the service, subject to confirmation by West Coast Railways, using the London Underground 4TC Unit, giving approx. 192 seats per journey. There will be 4 return trains / day, leaving Swanage at 10:23, 12:23, 14:23 and 16:23. Advance booking via the Swanage Railway website is recommended." Swanage Railway website: http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/wareham-timetableandfares NB - On the first day of the public service – Tuesday, 13 June, 2017 – the first public train will be the 2.23pm from Swanage that will form the 3.15pm train from Wareham. The last train of the day will be the 4.23pm from Swanage and the 5.15pm from Wareham. (The first two trains from Swanage to Wareham and return on that day will be for Swanage Railway guests, stakeholders, volunteers, staff and supporters). As reported by the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-40011037 I remember visiting Corfe Castle station with my family when on holiday at Lulworth Cove in 1975? when I was about 10, it's great seeing the progress made since, I'm looking forward to travelling, my ticket is booked. Edited May 28, 2017 by PrestburyJack 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted May 28, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 28, 2017 Thanks for that info. I will definitely get down there for one of these trips. I walked the line shortly after closure and met one of the campaigners who were campaigning for this reopening. It's taken 45 years of hard work. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted May 28, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 28, 2017 Good luck to them . I hope it's well supported. I was in Swanage in 1976 and again 1987, but regrettably not since. Despite that I've always been interested in the line , although it was only track bed in 76! Travelling through some great country through Corfe to Swanage I'm sorely tempted to visit . Swanage is also a lovely wee town , when I was last there a traditional British Seaside Resort. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Do the SR trains use a bay platform at Wareham, or one of the NR platforms? Does it involve a fair bit of 'wrong line' running from Worgret Junction to Wareham. I had look at the SR Project Wareham page, but (like a lot of heritage railway sites these days) it's pretty thin on hard core railway information. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted May 28, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) Do the SR trains use a bay platform at Wareham, or one of the NR platforms? Does it involve a fair bit of 'wrong line' running from Worgret Junction to Wareham. I had look at the SR Project Wareham page, but (like a lot of heritage railway sites these days) it's pretty thin on hard core railway information. ISTR that they were going to put the section between Worgret and Wareham as two single lines. But the fact that West Coast are operating this service suggests that this has not been done yet. Google Maps has recent satellite photo that only shows a trailing crossover at Wareham. So presumably timings are to connect with a down SWT train with the train to Swanage arriving/departing from the up platform. Edited May 28, 2017 by Joseph_Pestell Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestburyJack Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 Good luck to them . I hope it's well supported. I was in Swanage in 1976 and again 1987, but regrettably not since. Despite that I've always been interested in the line , although it was only track bed in 76! Travelling through some great country through Corfe to Swanage I'm sorely tempted to visit . Swanage is also a lovely wee town , when I was last there a traditional British Seaside Resort. It still is a traditional English seaside resort, not much has changed since 1987 - and I mean that in a positive way. Alternatively you can get the train to Corfe Castle and enjoy the delights of a traditional English village. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 It still is a traditional English seaside resort, not much has changed since 1987 - and I mean that in a positive way. Alternatively you can get the train to Corfe Castle and enjoy the delights of a traditional English village. albeit that traditional English folk can no longer afford to live in either... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted May 28, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 28, 2017 It still is a traditional English seaside resort, not much has changed since 1987 - and I mean that in a positive way. Alternatively you can get the train to Corfe Castle and enjoy the delights of a traditional English village. It is a lovely part of the country. Lots of people go on about Devon and Cornwall, I've always thought Dorset as a bit of a hidden gem. The isle of Purbeck in particular. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 It is a lovely part of the country. Lots of people go on about Devon and Cornwall, I've always thought Dorset as a bit of a hidden gem. The isle of Purbeck in particular.I'm not that familiar with Cornwall, but I'd choose Dorset over Devon 9 times out of 9. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 It looks like the first public train service from Swanage to Wareham at 14:23 on Tuesday 13 June 2017 is nearly fully booked. Please see http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk Plenty of room on the subsequent services. The June to December timetable has still not arrived on the Swanage railway but it is available on line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestburyJack Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 There's no mention of the evening DMU service on the new timetable - is this a victim of the success in running to Wareham, are the railway unable to do both (I realise it takes a lot of commitment from volunteers to keep a service running to beyond 11pm)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted May 31, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 31, 2017 (edited) Do the SR trains use a bay platform at Wareham, or one of the NR platforms? Does it involve a fair bit of 'wrong line' running from Worgret Junction to Wareham. I had look at the SR Project Wareham page, but (like a lot of heritage railway sites these days) it's pretty thin on hard core railway information. The Bay platforms at Wareham were removed decades ago but there are a couple of crossovers to facilitate run rounds and a siding that could potentially be used to stable the train between runs. However given the local residents are being total NIMBYS and refusing to let NR add ramps to the existing footbridge (because they 'spoil the look of it' / are 'totally out of keeping with a small market town' / 'look hideous' / 'are unnecessary' / etc.) and thereby allow the foot crossing at the station to be removed (it is currently manned during service hours by a Dorset Council funded crossing keeper due to the locals being unable to obey the miniature warning lights and the consequent near misses with trains) then for the foreseeable future all trains from Swanage must be DMUs / top & tailed coaches that have to fit round the SWT timetable and disappear back down the branch to clear the main line as the ORR / NR consider it too dangerous to perform shunting manoeuvrers while the crossing still exists. Edited May 31, 2017 by phil-b259 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestburyJack Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) Now on Realtime trains: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/CFC/2017/06/13/0000-2359?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt (Link is timings for Corfe Castle) Edited June 4, 2017 by PrestburyJack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted June 12, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 12, 2017 The Bay platforms at Wareham were removed decades ago but there are a couple of crossovers to facilitate run rounds and a siding that could potentially be used to stable the train between runs. However given the local residents are being total NIMBYS and refusing to let NR add ramps to the existing footbridge (because they 'spoil the look of it' / are 'totally out of keeping with a small market town' / 'look hideous' / 'are unnecessary' / etc.) and thereby allow the foot crossing at the station to be removed (it is currently manned during service hours by a Dorset Council funded crossing keeper due to the locals being unable to obey the miniature warning lights and the consequent near misses with trains) then for the foreseeable future all trains from Swanage must be DMUs / top & tailed coaches that have to fit round the SWT timetable and disappear back down the branch to clear the main line as the ORR / NR consider it too dangerous to perform shunting manoeuvrers while the crossing still exists. Perhaps easier just to put in a second bridge with ramps? But this really is NIMBYism to an extreme level. The area around Wareham station with a fairly hideous concrete road flyover is not particularly special. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted June 12, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 12, 2017 The Bay platforms at Wareham were removed decades ago but there are a couple of crossovers to facilitate run rounds and a siding that could potentially be used to stable the train between runs. However given the local residents are being total NIMBYS and refusing to let NR add ramps to the existing footbridge (because they 'spoil the look of it' / are 'totally out of keeping with a small market town' / 'look hideous' / 'are unnecessary' / etc.) and thereby allow the foot crossing at the station to be removed (it is currently manned during service hours by a Dorset Council funded crossing keeper due to the locals being unable to obey the miniature warning lights and the consequent near misses with trains) then for the foreseeable future all trains from Swanage must be DMUs / top & tailed coaches that have to fit round the SWT timetable and disappear back down the branch to clear the main line as the ORR / NR consider it too dangerous to perform shunting manoeuvrers while the crossing still exists. NIMBYism and stupidity, quite a potent combination. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestburyJack Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 Empty coaching stock currently en route from Carnforth: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K96134/2017/06/12/advanced Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted June 12, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 12, 2017 NIMBYism and stupidity, quite a potent combination. Mike. See http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14831931.Level_crossing_closure_would_be____catastrophic_____says_community/ http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/13333956.Footbridge_plans_get_mixed_reaction_from_Wareham_residents/ http://www.swanageandwarehamvoice.co.uk/news/13796991.Wareham_railway_footbridge_plans_hit_the_buffers/ https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi0xpDavrjUAhXNa1AKHc74AmsQFggtMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.warehamtowntrust.org.uk%2FObjection_to_2015_ramps_apps.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGw3ZRV6WdpG1Il_qRDrj1MdtkmQw&sig2=Q6jW6rP1JP0l6s-y7PeQYQ https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi0xpDavrjUAhXNa1AKHc74AmsQFggoMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdorset.moderngov.co.uk%2Fdocuments%2Fs5375%2FAppendix%25204.pdf&usg=AFQjCNE0ospo1oboMx4CuC4wV9bQsRe8rA&sig2=zm2v-dimXwbexm6q59vqqw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Wow. I'll selectively quote some hyperbole from the top link: "This has never been just a railway crossing. It is the lifeblood of Wareham." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I do hear that it should be mentioned/talked about on the BBC tv 'One Show' - tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) The Bay platforms at Wareham were removed decades ago but there are a couple of crossovers to facilitate run rounds and a siding that could potentially be used to stable the train between runs. However given the local residents are being total NIMBYS and refusing to let NR add ramps to the existing footbridge (because they 'spoil the look of it' / are 'totally out of keeping with a small market town' / 'look hideous' / 'are unnecessary' / etc.) and thereby allow the foot crossing at the station to be removed (it is currently manned during service hours by a Dorset Council funded crossing keeper due to the locals being unable to obey the miniature warning lights and the consequent near misses with trains) then for the foreseeable future all trains from Swanage must be DMUs / top & tailed coaches that have to fit round the SWT timetable and disappear back down the branch to clear the main line as the ORR / NR consider it too dangerous to perform shunting manoeuvrers while the crossing still exists. The sidings were upgraded a couple of years ago for the use of Swanage Railway. But the crossing has been a bit of a thorn in the side, in the past many using it have been impatience with the somewhat long wait,it is the only way that people, on foot, from the Northmoor area can get to Wareham town centre, and many are not the best mobile, but enjoy the exercise of a half mile walk into town. Edited June 12, 2017 by bike2steam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) It is a lovely part of the country. Lots of people go on about Devon and Cornwall, I've always thought Dorset as a bit of a hidden gem. The isle of Purbeck in particular. Both Devon & Cornwall are a damned sight wetter, Dorset is lucky as they both take most of the rain out of the prevailing winds. But don't tell anyone or it'll be flooded with 'grockles'. Edited June 12, 2017 by bike2steam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted June 12, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Swanage last Thursday Edited June 12, 2017 by PaulRhB 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestburyJack Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Seen passing through Coventry at 5pm today (photo courtesy of my mum) Edited June 12, 2017 by PrestburyJack 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestburyJack Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Seen passing through Coventry at 5pm today (photos courtesy of my dad!) Edited June 12, 2017 by PrestburyJack 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dorset Wanderer Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Both Devon & Cornwall are a damned sight wetter, Dorset is lucky as they both take most of the rain out of the prevailing winds. But don't tell anyone or it'll be flooded with 'grockles'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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