Swanage Railway announce 2023 Wareham service

[Techniquest]

Corfe Castle is also £10

One way? I'd do the track to Norden or preferably Corfe Castle for that money. The ching requested to Swanage absolutely not, and I'd imagine there's a decent bus service from Corfe Castle too.

 

[Titfield]

One way? I'd do the track to Norden or preferably Corfe Castle for that money. The ching requested to Swanage absolutely not, and I'd imagine there's a decent bus service from Corfe Castle too.

Morebus Purbeck Breezer 40 operates every hour Poole - Wareham - Corfe Castle - Swanage.

There will also be a Summer only Breezer 30/31 operating Wareham - Corfe Castle - Swanage so that should hopefully be every 30 minutes on the section between Wareham - Corfe Castle and Swanage.

Dont forget the £2 single fare applies to 30th June 2023.

https://www.morebus.co.uk/

A good day could be SWR to Wareham, Swanage Railway DMU to Corfe Castle, visit Corfe Castle (NT property), A drink in The Greyhound or The Bankes Arms, Swanage Railway Steam service to Swanage. Fish and Chips in Swanage. Purbeck Breezer 50 to Bournemouth (Railway Station) over the chain ferry.

Or for the more adventurous get the City Cruises Boat from Swanage back to Poole (but then there is a bit of walk from Poole Quay to Poole Railway Station but you could fortify yourself with a drink at the Lord Nelson or the Jolly Sailor on Poole Quay).

All the interchanges are straightforward.

 

[norbitonflyer]

One way? I'd do the track to Norden or preferably Corfe Castle for that money. The ching requested to Swanage absolutely not, and I'd imagine there's a decent bus service from Corfe Castle too.

£8 single Wareham to Norden or Corfe Castle. £10 return
£20/£25 to Harmans Cross or Sswanage

Swanage Railway - click here for tickets and ticketing information

Click here for detailed fares and ticket information for the Swanage Railway

www.swanagerailway.co.uk

 

[Falcon1200]

Surely the whole purpose of the Wareham/Swanage Railway DMU connection is to bring passengers to the preserved railway, not act as a public transport service between Wareham and Swanage, any more than the steam trains are there to serve the Corfe Castle/Swanage transportation demand? I personally have every intention of using the connection this year, regardless of the cost, for my own enjoyment and to support the heritage operation.

 

[Titfield]

Surely the whole purpose of the Wareham/Swanage Railway DMU connection is to bring passengers to the preserved railway, not act as a public transport service between Wareham and Swanage, any more than the steam trains are there to serve the Corfe Castle/Swanage transportation demand? I personally have every intention of using the connection this year, regardless of the cost, for my own enjoyment and to support the heritage operation.

I would agree with this however you then have to stop Swanage Railway, Purbeck Community Rail Partnership, Dorset Council and others, touting the service as public transport - which of course it is after a fashion.

Perhaps there should be volunteers at each station on the gates only allowing visitors to visit the railway if they can answer three questions correctly.

1. Spell Bulleid correctly
2. Name the last British Railways steam locomotive to enter service?
3. Describe the wheel arrangement of a) an atlantic b) a pacific c) a mogul.

 

[zwk500]

I would agree with this however you then have to stop Swanage Railway, Purbeck Community Rail Partnership, Dorset Council and others, touting the service as public transport - which of course it is after a fashion.

Perhaps there should be volunteers at each station on the gates only allowing visitors to visit the railway if they can answer three questions correctly.

1. Spell Bulleid correctly
2. Name the last British Railways steam locomotive to enter service?
3. Describe the wheel arrangement of a) an atlantic b) a pacific c) a mogul.

I know your post is somewhat in jest, but there are some heritage railways that project this attitude (or something resembling it) already and it doesn't enhance the visit. I much prefer the tactic the Swanage Railway are going for of just pricing it and running it as a tourist attraction.

 

[Titfield]

I know your post is somewhat in jest, but there are some heritage railways that project this attitude (or something resembling it) already and it doesn't enhance the visit. I much prefer the tactic the Swanage Railway are going for of just pricing it and running it as a tourist attraction.

Yes it was absolutely said in jest. However I have to say I never cease to be amazed at how many staff on heritage railways do not seem to appreciate that the customer is king and it is the money they pay (in fares or for food and beverage or for souvenirs) that enables heritage railways to keep running.

Heritage Railways are tourist attractions and they compete with theme parks, National Trust properties, museums, the beach etc etc for the tourist pound.

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

Yes it was absolutely said in jest. However I have to say I never cease to be amazed at how many staff on heritage railways do not seem to appreciate that the customer is king and it is the money they pay (in fares or for food and beverage or for souvenirs) that enables heritage railways to keep running.

Heritage Railways are tourist attractions and they compete with theme parks, National Trust properties, museums, the beach etc etc for the tourist pound.

+1

 

[yorksrob]

Surely the whole purpose of the Wareham/Swanage Railway DMU connection is to bring passengers to the preserved railway, not act as a public transport service between Wareham and Swanage, any more than the steam trains are there to serve the Corfe Castle/Swanage transportation demand? I personally have every intention of using the connection this year, regardless of the cost, for my own enjoyment and to support the heritage operation.

As I understand it, it's also a way to bring rail passengers to Swanage and Corfe castle. There are some who would prefer to pay extra to go by train.

 

[Techniquest]

Morebus Purbeck Breezer 40 operates every hour Poole - Wareham - Corfe Castle - Swanage.

There will also be a Summer only Breezer 30/31 operating Wareham - Corfe Castle - Swanage so that should hopefully be every 30 minutes on the section between Wareham - Corfe Castle and Swanage.

Dont forget the £2 single fare applies to 30th June 2023.

https://www.morebus.co.uk/

A good day could be SWR to Wareham, Swanage Railway DMU to Corfe Castle, visit Corfe Castle (NT property), A drink in The Greyhound or The Bankes Arms, Swanage Railway Steam service to Swanage. Fish and Chips in Swanage. Purbeck Breezer 50 to Bournemouth (Railway Station) over the chain ferry.

Or for the more adventurous get the City Cruises Boat from Swanage back to Poole (but then there is a bit of walk from Poole Quay to Poole Railway Station but you could fortify yourself with a drink at the Lord Nelson or the Jolly Sailor on Poole Quay).

All the interchanges are straightforward.

Thanks for the suggestions, most appreciated It appears I'll be in Bournemouth on a weekend when travelling down (family holiday, wish me luck!) and then we head west to the Exmouth area, but by the time we get there on the Saturday it appears it may be too late in the day to get the track done.

I'll have to do some planning, and see if I can't make the family trip start a little earlier. If I was going on my own, I'd probably be down there with my Blue Beauty so I'd be well away. The bus on the chain ferry does sound like a fun thing to do, it must be said.

Apart from the pub visits, and the fishy business for food, then I like your suggestions. I'll just substitute them for sourcing bottles of water or sports drink, and with a visit to a supermarket for picnic stuff This day out is starting to take shape you know!

£8 single Wareham to Norden or Corfe Castle. £10 return
£20/£25 to Harmans Cross or Sswanage

Swanage Railway - click here for tickets and ticketing information

Click here for detailed fares and ticket information for the Swanage Railway

www.swanagerailway.co.uk

Thanks! £8 single Wareham to Corfe Castle is pretty reasonable, £10 return is not too bad either. I've obviously already forgot, but this is due to be on an ex-BR DMU isn't it? That should be decent enough for the short journey. EDIT: Just been and looked, due to be a 117. Not too bad at all then, now to find a way to make it all work!

 

[Titfield]

Thanks for the suggestions, most appreciated It appears I'll be in Bournemouth on a weekend when travelling down (family holiday, wish me luck!) and then we head west to the Exmouth area, but by the time we get there on the Saturday it appears it may be too late in the day to get the track done.

I'll have to do some planning, and see if I can't make the family trip start a little earlier. If I was going on my own, I'd probably be down there with my Blue Beauty so I'd be well away. The bus on the chain ferry does sound like a fun thing to do, it must be said.

Apart from the pub visits, and the fishy business for food, then I like your suggestions. I'll just substitute them for sourcing bottles of water or sports drink, and with a visit to a supermarket for picnic stuff This day out is starting to take shape you know!



Thanks! £8 single Wareham to Corfe Castle is pretty reasonable, £10 return is not too bad either. I've obviously already forgot, but this is due to be on an ex-BR DMU isn't it? That should be decent enough for the short journey. EDIT: Just been and looked, due to be a 117. Not too bad at all then, now to find a way to make it all work!

There is a Co-Op supermarket right by Swanage Station though it can be a little but pricey. About 100 yards away is a Budgens and there is also a Greggs a further 100 yards away. If you find yourself at Bournemouth Railway Station there is an Asda literally 50 yards away. There is an Asda about 300yards away from Poole Railway Station.

 

[341o2]

Sandbanks can get very congested in the summer, and there were significant delays to buses on route 50 on one occasion due to illegally parked cars at Studland. In fact, the entire Bournemouth area, plus the Purbecks have the same problem, people keep coming despite warnings that there is nowhere to park, and then park illegally, a £35 fine (if you get a ticket) isn't much of a deterrent
There is a bus lane at the ferry, so in theory, queuing traffic should not delay buses

 

[KeithMcC]

There is a bus lane at the ferry, so in theory, queuing traffic should not delay buses

However if it is really busy in the summer the ferry queue extends back beyond the start of the bus lane which held us up for a good half an hour a few years ago! One the bus actually gets to its own lane then it drives straight to the front of the queue.

 

[Titfield]

However if it is really busy in the summer the ferry queue extends back beyond the start of the bus lane which held us up for a good half an hour a few years ago! One the bus actually gets to its own lane then it drives straight to the front of the queue.

BCP Council are now more proactive in removing vehicles causing an obstruction on the Sandbanks Peninsula. Furthermore the GoSouthCoast Drivers are far more assertive in getting through traffic to the ferry. On the Studland side coming towards the ferry the buses drive down the wrong side of the road overtaking the queue of cars. They have been fitted with additional warning lights on the front of the vehicles to signify they are coming through.

 

[nw1]

I think you need to expand upon what you mean by poor timings and the cost?

The Wareham fare can not be lower than the Swanage <> Corfe Castle / Norden fare as that would undermine the core heritage rail operation.

Though presumably a lot of people will want the steam services, while this is a DMU. So you could offer lower fares on the DMU-operated services.

 

[Titfield]

Though presumably a lot of people will want the steam services, while this is a DMU. So you could offer lower fares on the DMU-operated services.

Offering lower fares on the dmu services would create huge customer relations / enforcement issues.

 

[Techniquest]

There is a Co-Op supermarket right by Swanage Station though it can be a little but pricey. About 100 yards away is a Budgens and there is also a Greggs a further 100 yards away. If you find yourself at Bournemouth Railway Station there is an Asda literally 50 yards away. There is an Asda about 300yards away from Poole Railway Station.

Thanks! It's been years since I went to Swanage, and when we did the line as a family it wasn't that exciting. I haven't felt the need to go back for it, I must say. The Co-Op, yes I'll agree there, it is expensive but some of the stuff is worth the price asked for. Not everything, of course.

 

[Titfield]

Thanks! It's been years since I went to Swanage, and when we did the line as a family it wasn't that exciting. I haven't felt the need to go back for it, I must say. The Co-Op, yes I'll agree there, it is expensive but some of the stuff is worth the price asked for. Not everything, of course.

The line may not be that exciting but the area did inspire two authors of world renown:
Thomas Hardy who wrote such classics as Jude The Obscure, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Far from the Madding Crowd.
Enid Blyton who wrote such classics as Noddy, Noddy in Toyland, Five on Kirrin Island.

Kirrin Island is of course Brownsea Island and Kirrin Castle is Corfe Castle.

Enid Blyton holidayed in Swanage and also owned the Golf Course at Studland for some years.

 

[Techniquest]

Oh wow, I did not know that. I loved the Famous Five books when I was little, that gives me much reason to go to Corfe Castle for sure!

 

[Titfield]

Oh wow, I did not know that. I loved the Famous Five books when I was little, that gives me much reason to go to Corfe Castle for sure!

and if you are a fan of Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks (starring Angela Lansbury) Corfe Castle is used in the opening credits!

 

[chrisp37]

According to this BBC article it should now "be possible to buy a ticket to Swanage from any of South Western Railway's 200 stations". I can see the Wareham - Swanage return tickets available on the Swanage Railway website, but nothing on the SWR website. Has anyone seen how to buy the through tickets yet?

 

[Titfield]

According to this BBC article it should now "be possible to buy a ticket to Swanage from any of South Western Railway's 200 stations". I can see the Wareham - Swanage return tickets available on the Swanage Railway website, but nothing on the SWR website. Has anyone seen how to buy the through tickets yet?

Not yet, have been checking nearly every day since the announcement was made.

I suspect SWR are somewhat behind in updating their booking engine as there are still issues with the 8th May 2023 bank holiday schedules.

 

[chrisp37]

I sent an enquiry to the Swanage Railway and they told me that tickets will go on sale on the SWR website on 4 April.

 

[Titfield]

I sent an enquiry to the Swanage Railway and they told me that tickets will go on sale on the SWR website on 4 April.

I have seen on another forum that someone has posted that the SWR add on fares will not be available until the end of April.

Apparently it is a pop up on the Swanage railway home page.

 

[bishdunster]

I have seen on another forum that someone has posted that the SWR add on fares will not be available until the end of April.

Apparently it is a pop up on the Swanage railway home page.

Well today is the start of this years trial, wishing them all the best, from one of the original members back in those pioneering days, cheers and beers, Bish

 

[chrisp37]

I have seen on another forum that someone has posted that the SWR add on fares will not be available until the end of April.

Apparently it is a pop up on the Swanage railway home page.

Yes, the Swanage Railway website does now say this. I guess the intention was to have the through tickets available from the start of the trial but for whatever reason that hasn't been possible.

 

[Titfield]

Yes, the Swanage Railway website does now say this. I guess the intention was to have the through tickets available from the start of the trial but for whatever reason that hasn't been possible.

Yes, the important thing is that they will be available soon. Hopefully this will really spread the word about the service and encourage patronage.

 

[Trainlog]

Yes, the important thing is that they will be available soon. Hopefully this will really spread the word about the service and encourage patronage.

Probably don't need just SWR to do that tbf. There has been several articles about the service already in several papers and the BBC news website, as it would be another rail oddity it would then spread to YouTube aswell with Geoff probably coming down to make a video on it, and so on...

But hopefully SWR will do a good job at promoting the Swanage railway's service regardless.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Just been and looked, due to be a 117. Not too bad at all then, now to find a way to make it all work!

According to RTT, it was a 117 +121 (four cars). Whether it was strengthened just for day 1, or will be the noral formation, remains to be seen. Having two units avaialble also makes the service less likely to have to be suspended if there is a failure. (And in BR service single units were often used to deputise for the power car of a 3-car, giving another option if there is a problem)

 

[James H]

The whole point of refurbing the 117 and 121 in the way they did was to give flexibility to run 1, 3 and 4 car formations according to demand (and of course having some flexibility in case of failure).