Swanage to Wareham from 13th June announced

[theageofthetra]

Very true, although while never actually being an EMU in the true sense, they were put under such classification by BR as Class 442s initially, before being renumbered to 491 then to 438 - The designation they carried until withdrawal.



I can imagine, when you consider that the power output available from a 4REP was a hugely impressive 3,200 hp (8 x EE546 traction motors, each putting out 400 hp each) then that's more than enough to pull the skin off the rice pudding and leave the bowl full and steaming on the table. I wish I'd had the chance to sample a REP, sadly the last had been converted as I came into the world.

Am I right in thinking they were limited to working as just one REP + TC or other units if there were traction motors isolated due to their power thirst?



The thing we need to remember is that while Swanage may be able to make use of it (It hardly spends that much time being used on the Underground network and no doubt can be a useful money earning asset for TfL when loaned to lines like this), it's still LULs and the window bars / restricted droplights will be for the occasions that it does see use on the London Underground network. It's a shame, but a necessity - after all, it only takes the one incident. The fitment of Magnetic CDL is a welcome addition though.

Is it also true that a REP running alone was classed as a light locomotive with the restrictions that entails?

 

[fgwrich]

Confirmed tonight as Locos from the WCRC Class 33 pool; 33025, 029, 207 and 33012 on hire, with West Coast Mk1s to start with until the overhaul on the LUL TC is completed.

 

[Cowley]

Confirmed tonight as Locos from the WCRC Class 33 pool; 33025, 029, 207 and 33012 on hire, with West Coast Mk1s to start with until the overhaul on the LUL TC is completed.

Even better. 33s on the mainline running passenger services from Wareham. Can't be bad.

 

[DerekC]

Details of the diesel service due to be run from Swanage to Wareham starting on 13th June have been announced. Running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only until 3rd September.
London underground 4tc set with class 33 and class 47 as top and tail operated by West Coast Railways.
.

As a matter of interest, since 4TCs were designed for push-pull, why top and tail?

 

[Cowley]

As a matter of interest, since 4TCs were designed for push-pull, why top and tail?

It would only work in push pull with something like an ex Southern Region unit, 73 or a 33/1 (the one with all the pipes on the front). Also I should imagine that it would cost a lot of money getting it up to operating standard with it not having been driven on NR. I don't know if it's worked in push pull mode on a preserved line, does anyone else know?

 

[Firesprite]

It would only work in push pull with something like an ex Southern Region unit, 73 or a 33/1 (the one with all the pipes on the front). Also I should imagine that it would cost a lot of money getting it up to operating standard with it not having been driven on NR. I don't know if it's worked in push pull mode on a preserved line, does anyone else know?

Never seen it in push-pull mode since LU took it over. But then LU had no requirement for that.

Swanage's own Unit 413 (Ex LU) is being restored to full working push pull order. DTSO coach number 76275 arrived at Norden on the 15th May, work has started on TBSK coach number 70824 at the Midland railway at Butterley. Hopefully by the end of next year a fully working 3TC will once more be running along the the Swanage branch with 33 111 under headcode 98. Why a 3TC?, Some of the early units were formed as 3 coach units. This also allows the unit to enter service earlier while the last coach is restored.

 

[dgl]

Maybe the reason for push-pull apart from control incompatibilities or non function is insurance, a breakdown on the small section of mainline running could become expensive.

Sent from my Lumia 625 using Tapatalk

 

[Firesprite]

Maybe the reason for push-pull apart from control incompatibilities or non function is insurance, a breakdown on the small section of mainline running could become expensive.

Sent from my Lumia 625 using Tapatalk

The reason for Top and Tailing is down to the Wareham trains will be using the Bay platform at Swanage In July and August there would not be time in the timetable to allow the 33 to run round in the main platform at Swanage.

 

[williamn]

For this service to be successful it needs to appeal to the public, not just enthusiasts. I can't help but think the journey time, price, lack of acceptance of railcards and lack of through ticketing may (sadly) count against it.

 

[antharro]

@williamn It's early days. If it's successful enough then I would expect something will be worked out.

 

[Firesprite]

For this service to be successful it needs to appeal to the public, not just enthusiasts. I can't help but think the journey time, price, lack of acceptance of railcards and lack of through ticketing may (sadly) count against it.

The same thing was said about the Park and Ride at Norden, Which has proved to be very popular with the public for the train service to Corfe and Swanage.

As for Journey time it is about the same as the number 40 bus (Which does not serve Harmans Cross), The train is also not delayed by road traffic unlike the bus in the summer months.

As for the price when compared with local bus fares (ie: Wareham-Corfe is £8.60 return), The train is only 40p more) or cheaper if you have the Local Purbeck Residents* Discount Card (33% off)which is popular. So if you do have the card it is only £10 return Swanage-Wareham (£1.40 more) Many locals do use the train to get about through out the year. A local resident is a resident in the Purbeck District Council Tax Area.

As for through tickets that is in the pipeline.

 

[Cowley]

The Swanage is undoubtedly a success story especially when you look at the perilous state they were in financially a couple of decades or so ago. I think they'll make a big success of this and it will only boost their importance as part of the local transport infrastructure, especially in busy holiday times.

 

[paul1609]

The same thing was said about the Park and Ride at Norden, Which has proved to be very popular with the public for the train service to Corfe and Swanage.

As for Journey time it is about the same as the number 40 bus (Which does not serve Harmans Cross), The train is also not delayed by road traffic unlike the bus in the summer months.

As for the price when compared with local bus fares (ie: Wareham-Corfe is £8.60 return), The train is only 40p more) or cheaper if you have the Local Purbeck Residents* Discount Card (33% off)which is popular. So if you do have the card it is only £10 return Swanage-Wareham (£1.40 more) Many locals do use the train to get about through out the year. A local resident is a resident in the Purbeck District Council Tax Area.

As for through tickets that is in the pipeline.

I think the £8.60 Bus fare is the maximum day fare which takes you right over the ferry and in to Bournemouth.

 

[Firesprite]

I think the £8.60 Bus fare is the maximum day fare which takes you right over the ferry and in to Bournemouth.

It is also the fare you be charged to travel from Wareham to Corfe return or Corfe to Swanage. The point is people have a choice. Many locals do use the train for transport rather than the bus, using the local railcard the return fare to Swanage from Corfe is only £8.33. Harman's Cross sells many return tickets to Swanage and Corfe throughout the year, many brought with the railcard. The bus on a warm day is often packed with free bus pass holders, so no room for people who pay.

 

[pompeyfan]

Unless I am going blind, it appears to not have been mentioned once on this forum that as of today, you can get from Wareham to Swanage regularly by train for the first time in 45 years. WCRC will be running top n tailed 33s with a 37 in situ for good measure.

Prices seem a little bit on the steep side at £15 per adult return, and the average speed doesn't seem too impressive, but I'm very please for everyone involved.

Apparently the deal/contracts will ensure there is a round the year service of 4 return workings each day until at least the end of 2018!

Any videos from Wareham would be appreciated!

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Unless I am going blind, it appears to not have been mentioned once on this forum that as of today, you can get from Wareham to Swanage regularly by train for the first time in 45 years. WCRC will be running top n tailed 33s with a 37 in situ for good measure.

Prices seem a little bit on the steep side at £15 per adult return, and the average speed doesn't seem too impressive, but I'm very please for everyone involved.

Apparently the deal/contracts will ensure there is a round the year service of 4 return workings each day until at least the end of 2018!

Any videos from Wareham would be appreciated!

With regard the max speed, isn't something like 25mph max allowed for any preserved railway (not sure if the GCR is allowed a higher max speed).

For videos as well as youtube, keep an eye on the websites for: Bournemouth Echo, Dorset Echo, BBC South Today (and their Facebook pages as well). Looking at the RTT entry for one journey it has SGE for Swanage and CFC for Corfe Castle, would they have been the station codes for them stations before BR closed the branch?

 

[swt_passenger]

Unless I am going blind, it appears to not have been mentioned once on the forum that as of today, you can get from Wareham to Swanage regularly by train for the first time in 45 years.

It's in the preservation forum, last posts end of May:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=147304

 

[Firesprite]

Unless I am going blind, it appears to not have been mentioned once on this forum that as of today, you can get from Wareham to Swanage regularly by train for the first time in 45 years. WCRC will be running top n tailed 33s with a 37 in situ for good measure.

Prices seem a little bit on the steep side at £15 per adult return, and the average speed doesn't seem too impressive, but I'm very please for everyone involved.

Apparently the deal/contracts will ensure there is a round the year service of 4 return workings each day until at least the end of 2018!

Any videos from Wareham would be appreciated!

Video of the 1st train on the Swanage Railway Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/swanagerailway/videos/1324019717646589/

 

[pompeyfan]

It's in the preservation forum, last posts end of May:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=147304

Thanks for that, had a quick look but would have expected to see a more recent response.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks for that, had a quick look but would have expected to see a more recent response.

Often happens that the nearer to something starting you get the chat dries up. It usually all kicks off about two years early, and people eventually run out of new comments...

 

[2HAP]

Being pedantic, they never actually became EMU's (with the exception of the driving trailer which replaced the VEP driving trailer which was written off at Yalding).

Not an accident I'm familiar with. Do you have any details?

 

[yorksrob]

Not an accident I'm familiar with. Do you have any details?

I don't have many details to hand. It sticks in the mind because I remember seeing the crossing on the local news and it was familiar because the crossing was near to my late gran's house and I used to wander down there occasionally when visiting to watch the trains.


I also remember seeing the reformed unit throughout the rest of the slam-door era but never managing to catch it.

Basically the VEP slammed into a car on the level crossing between Beltring and Yalding during the early 1990's and the driving trailer was written off. A redundant TC driving trailer was found and stayed with the VEP until withdrawal.

I remember reading a little factoid that the vehicle was the last passenger one in day to day use on the network to be fully lit with tungsten bulbs as no one had written a rewiring diagram to convert TC stock to fluorescent tubes.

 

[Wookiee]

I remember in the late 80s there was a summer Saturday Weymouth - Bristol turn which utilised a 33 and 2 4TC sets.

The Sunday only Portsmouth to Reading services used to be 33/1 and 2x4TC.

 

[AnthonyRail]

Unless I am going blind, it appears to not have been mentioned once on this forum that as of today, you can get from Wareham to Swanage regularly by train for the first time in 45 years. WCRC will be running top n tailed 33s with a 37 in situ for good measure.

Prices seem a little bit on the steep side at £15 per adult return, and the average speed doesn't seem too impressive, but I'm very please for everyone involved.

Apparently the deal/contracts will ensure there is a round the year service of 4 return workings each day until at least the end of 2018!

Any videos from Wareham would be appreciated!

But isn't Swanage to corfe £12.50? So bargain for £2.50 more

 

[221129]

But isn't Swanage to corfe £12.50? So bargain for £2.50 more

No, it just means that the Swanage to Corfe bit is even more extortionately priced!

 

[James H]

.



Apparently the deal/contracts will ensure there is a round the year service of 4 return workings each day until at least the end of 2018!

Not quite.

The service is running 5 days a week (not Monday or Friday) till early September - i.e. for 60 days in 2017.

Next year's service will run for more days. Then a decision will be taken about how to run the service in the longer term.

 

[Firesprite]

No, it just means that the Swanage to Corfe bit is even more extortionately priced!

But locals get a third off all fares with the Local Residents Rail Card. The five day adult season (£33) which includes Wareham, works out at £6.60 per day. The three day adult season is only £21 (£7 per day) 5-15's £22 (5) £11(3)

 

[341o2]

No, it just means that the Swanage to Corfe bit is even more extortionately priced!

The Chinnor & Princes Risborough charges around £10 for a round trip and you can't even alight from the train, far less take a break in your journey, so I fail to see why this fare is "extortionate"

The C&PR ticket is a day pass, but how many ordinary passengers will spend all day riding up and down the line

The Mid Hants charges £16 adult £40 family, which again allows all day travel. At gala and other special events fares are usually an "admission ticket", no intermediate fares or even admission onto MHR property

The Bluebell charges £19.00 and £49 likewise with a 1 adult + children for £35

Just for comparison

 

[swt_passenger]

It was interesting to see and hear in one of the videos taken on the day how thoroughly the platform PIS displays deal with the service.

Someone has obviously put some time into getting that information just right.

 

[pompeyfan]

It was interesting to see and hear in one of the videos taken on the day how thoroughly the platform PIS displays deal with the service.

Someone has obviously put some time into getting that information just right.

Would you be able to link to it please? Or is it easily found?