Crisis Rail

Ah yes - I think that was the general gist of it - I had to check the date.

Chaps. Taken from the Purbeck Gazette - The Isle of Purbeck - somewhere as a family we have visited for over two decades - the author of the quoted letter below maybe has some valid points relevant to todays awareness but very much to the extreme and maybe written to provoke a reaction? – Myself and the vast majority on here will of course be biased. I don’t think "Purbeck Sculptor" Mr Beuscher has really thought this one through bringing all that much needed tourist revenue especially after a financially barren and trying year like this one has proven for Dorset and Purbeck – lack of knowledge or just selfishness maybe? And I very much doubt he has an in depth knowledge of Biodiesel or a lengthy WCML LESSCO2 TESCO or experienced the M6 Southbound on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Editor. Swanage railway. Bearing in mind a huge number of people in the UK (used to!) commute every day from their home to their place of work and back, you could be forgiven for assuming most people are not enthusiastic about the effect of trains on their environment. Generally speaking, the disadvantages of rail travel are legion, including a huge financial outlay, jam packed with people you have never met, it’s eye wateringly expensive and lastly, and most significantly, trains are hugely destructive on the environment. For this reason, you would have thought that to resurrect an outmoded form of railway transport would not be a sensible exercise. Added to the above, in these days of social distancing, rail travel is simply not realistic or possible, and this may continue well into the foreseeable future. Steam railway travel is even more uneconomic, a total disaster environmentally in terms of air pollution and noise. Put simply, steam trains kill people with the amount of nitrogen and carbon dioxide emitted into the air. They expel huge amounts of particulate matter which is a serious threat to people with asthma or other related respiratory problems. Because of their fossil fuel demands, they also support a large network of equally unfriendly industries which further damage the environment. All in the name of entertainment! So, considering all of the above, the question being asked here is why does Purbeck continue to support this outmoded form of transport? Indeed, there are people who would like to see the railway link reinstated right through to Wareham and beyond! Er, why? One can only assume these people never commuted by train. The Isle of Purbeck is arguably one of the most beautiful locations in Dorset, perhaps even in the UK, yet, for some inexplicable reason, a few weird diehards want to extend the life of this decidedly antisocial, if not filthy, mode of transport across a spectacularly scenic valley. I can appreciate that some of the steam engines have become iconic and preservation is to be encouraged. But in a museum, surely? There are also a number of diesel trains being used on this line and we all know the dangers of diesel pollution, or we should do by now. The other point worth noting is that this facility is hardly used during the winter and while it is supposed to be a ‘tourist attraction’, the journey takes less than ten minutes and very little of Purbeck is actually visible from the train itself. So, what is the attraction, you may ask? It does, I suppose, cater for a few steam train diehards and train spotting nerds who have nothing better to do with their lives. What is the solution? Well, I think we should keep Swanage train station and a short length of shunting line to cater for those people who wish to see the engines actually working. Harmans Cross station is an exceptional piece of railway history, maintained by some very enthusiastic volunteers and there is no reason why both it and Corfe Castle stations should not remain as they are. But the ideal solution would be to remove the complete train line and in its place, substitute a tarmac cycle path to run the length from Wareham via Corfe Castle and Harmans Cross to Swanage. The obvious response is why? Well, for starters, it is infinitely healthier to cycle and less environmentally negative. No more noise and no more pollution. It would provide an all year-round facility and encourage people of all ages to use it. It would get cyclists off of the overused main road and onto a purpose-built track where they could cycle safely without fear of traffic. There could be a couple of cafes sited at Harmans Cross and Corfe Castle stations and the history of Swanage Railway could be recorded in purpose built mini museums. Perhaps the primary advantage gained from this is that it would encourage people to use a completely safe cycle lane and thus promote healthy exercise, and lastly, it would be FREE.

COLAS 60 arrived in shrapnel due to a big hit - sideframes and buffers loose in the blisterpack - horns intact which was as ever a surprise. Jim at the shop (online) was well helpful sorting out some missing steps considering Hornby spares are so hard to source - and a £5 refund as a grace too. Not the usual service from the boxshifters? - a good independent shop worthy of support and I've no connection. Thanks

Would look good B&W Ian

Not been over due to this virus thing mess - but visiting mid December for maybe festivities (inc usual Railway Museum) depending on what restrictions are dreamt up - maybe the Fawkes will be open? Maybe not - will see. Ian

And these were widely available up North - a Suffolk Brew. Excellent Dry Hopped Lager- tried one in the Guy Fawkes at York - favourite haunt.

Sour. Not everyone's bag but after years of "experience" SIREN Pompelmocello Grapefruit IPA at a deceptive 6% £3 a chuck - lovely.

Ahh... A Pub - and a Far East Cumbrian one at that.

I've always liked the livery - COLAS 60021 a renumber and weather - with time constraints motivation and a bit of bipolar I’ve decided on remodelling and bringing former Scottish layout Caerbannog up into today. Cheers Ian

*see above

No Roy. "All to cock" is the new "accurate" in this case Ian

It goes like this..... "Dear Bachmann - why are my Durham Light Infantry nameplates glued on all to cock?" The majority of modellers don't have anywhere near the same amount of nerdiness - yes nerdiness - as some. A nice touch for the select few. Ian

Only thing hi-tec in BR days was something called a spanner.

Not one to criticise manufacturers too much (it used to be a near banning offence on here) and not join in all the squabbly rivetty nit-picking but that cab front to window angle does look a little bit on the flat side.

*Update* Bachmann have them in - order under spare parts - there are 2 types of plug for the early Grey and later Blue.

Maybe pop this over to the Heljan 45 46 thread for further analysis and verification?

That's in 7mill

*BUMP* Thanks for the photo....!

Was that the year Gresley and Flying Jock ran out of Carnforth as well? - remember (never forget) seeing them over the Levens Viaduct - and steam isn't really my bag.

Totally off my era but good to see positive posts - looks a brilliant engine.

McRat 032 It’s nightshift on Caerbannog fuelling shed.

Proper - Proper Engineering.