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The Swanage based 3TC unit updates
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RailUK Forums
The DTSO (76275) that was at Barrow Hill arrives back tomorrow, and will be taken down to Herston via Swanage by one of the 33s.
No, it will be delivered to Arne Road RRI (Norden), then taken down by rail.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Since everything’s been moved over into a new thread, I thought I would type out a list of what’s going on with the four vehicles planned to form the 4TC set next year.
Unit 413 (Wareham <-> Swanage)
76322 (DTSO) - Harmans Cross, requires some minor work to complete the coach
70855 (TFK) - Ramparts (Barrow Hill), under overhaul
70824 (TBSK) - Herston Shed, requires some minor work to complete the coach (and a repaint?)
76275 (DTSO) - Herston Shed, requires some minor work to complete the coach
This will (hopefully, finally!) allow for the full set to return to service by Spring 2027. 33111 should also be back by this point to provide the traction for the services operated by the 4TC.
A few years down the line, the plan is to restore BIG Buffet Car 69332 to run the set as a 5TCB. Until that point, this coach will remain in store at Harmans Cross, alongside the three (soon to be two) other DTSOs not restored for use in Unit 413.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Since everything’s been moved over into a new thread, I thought I would type out a list of what’s going on with the four vehicles planned to form the 4TC set next year.
Unit 413 (Wareham <-> Swanage)
76322 (DTSO) - Harmans Cross, requires some minor work to complete the coach
70855 (TFK) - Ramparts (Barrow Hill), under overhaul
70824 (TBSK) - Herston Shed, requires some minor work to complete the coach (and a repaint?)
76275 (DTSO) - Herston Shed, requires some minor work to complete the coach
This will (hopefully, finally!) allow for the full set to return to service by Spring 2027. 33111 should also be back by this point to provide the traction for the services operated by the 4TC.
A few years down the line, the plan is to restore BIG Buffet Car 69332 to run the set as a 5TCB. Until that point, this coach will remain in store at Harmans Cross, alongside the three (soon to be two) other DTSOs not restored for use in Unit 413.
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Rover
Member
Really looking forward to this running I have very fond memories of numerous journeys between Weymouth and Bournemouth in the late 80s, this will bring back a lot of happy memories.
Teddy Greene
On Moderation
5 TC with the buffet coach from Maldon ain't it ?
Class73Electro
Member
What livery is the 3/4TC in at Swanage. Finally visited the other week, but couldn't spot any vehicles from it. Did see a (what looked like) blood and custard driving carriage?
It’ll be in BR Blue/Grey. The Blood and Custard coaches are two DTSOs acquired from Bellingham, where they were in use as static catering vehicles. They were primary bought for use as spares.
Class73Electro
Member
Ahh OK - thanks very much!
50039
Member
I saw one of the driving trailers looking smart in blue-grey on the M25 earlier in the week…
D Mylchreest
Member
I have a memory of these units being delivered in plain overall Rail Blue without yellow warning panels. When were they updated to blue and grey?
D6130
Established Member
Early 1970s, IIRC.
Invincible
Member
As I understand it the fast trains from London separated and some blue/ grey 4TCs with 33s in push pull mode went onto Swanage for several years.
The Hampshire DEMUs were only used for a short time after the local branch steam trains finished (67 to 72?)
But diesel enthusiasts visiting galas want the "thrash" of large locos that her than DEMUs, hence why the LU 4TC with a 33 ,or other large loco, has been preferred.(but some don't like the window bars on the LJ U 4TC).
But it is about time a DEMU, perhaps the Hastings units visited the Swanage railway, maybe as a railtour rather than a gala visitor?
With limited volunteers time, I expect it will be a while till all 3 carriages can be coupled together and tested, but after so many years could be quite an event?
The Hampshire DEMUs were only used for a short time after the local branch steam trains finished (67 to 72?)
But diesel enthusiasts visiting galas want the "thrash" of large locos that her than DEMUs, hence why the LU 4TC with a 33 ,or other large loco, has been preferred.(but some don't like the window bars on the LJ U 4TC).
But it is about time a DEMU, perhaps the Hastings units visited the Swanage railway, maybe as a railtour rather than a gala visitor?
There is limited space for the minor work to be done safely. The " goods shed" tends to be used for operational carriages, so the area outside the goods shed is used, but from the webcam there is a goods wagon there.
With limited volunteers time, I expect it will be a while till all 3 carriages can be coupled together and tested, but after so many years could be quite an event?
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33117
Member
Gonna look a fab unit when it's completed & has 33111 to push pull with it too.
tumbles
Member
Not sure if this was a special trip? Ironically Corfe Castle has scaffolding in about the same spot right now.
Edit may well have been a railtour before tracks lifted. This is defo Swanage but it looks very bleak/run down and one track at this point so probably just before closure in early 70s
This is where my knowledge is a bit weaker, but I think they ran summer specials from London to Swanage with the TCs and a 33/1 up until 1971. By that point the section between Corfe and Swanage was effectively a long siding, the box at Swanage having shut and the only passing point being Corfe.
It’s this railtour from Sept 1971:Not sure if this was a special trip? Ironically Corfe Castle has scaffolding in about the same spot right now.
Edit may well have been a railtour before tracks lifted. This is defo Swanage but it looks very bleak/run down and one track at this point so probably just before closure in early 70s
Invincible
Member
Doing a search and found 2 more photos and discussion on FB about the railtour
www.facebook.com
Interesting that in a few months TC3 unit 403 and 33 locomotive 33111/D6528 could be back working in push pull mode along most of the local Swanage line (but not the mainline section at Wareham)
Back in 2019 I was on one of the LU TC4 Sunday Special railtours from London to Swanage.
It was hoped the class 117 railcars (which used to do ramblers specials) would be able to run a regular service between Wareham and Swanage, but with access fees and high insurance costs (plus other issues) could not match the lower fares the buses offered.
Castlemans Corkscrew - - The Old Road memories and more | Another rarity I recently acquired | Facebook
Another rarity I recently acquired. This was a Poole Grammar School Railway Society trip to Wimborne in the early-1970s. I don't know how widely this mini-tour was publicised, but it only covered a...
www.facebook.com
Back in 2019 I was on one of the LU TC4 Sunday Special railtours from London to Swanage.
It was hoped the class 117 railcars (which used to do ramblers specials) would be able to run a regular service between Wareham and Swanage, but with access fees and high insurance costs (plus other issues) could not match the lower fares the buses offered.
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We’ve got unit 413 not 403 - it takes the number from the brake coachDoing a search and found 2 more photos and discussion on FB about the railtour
Interesting that in a few months TC3 unit 403 and 33 locomotive 33111/D6528 could be back working in push pull mode along most of the local Swanage line (but not the mainline section at Wareham)Castlemans Corkscrew - - The Old Road memories and more | Another rarity I recently acquired | Facebook
Another rarity I recently acquired. This was a Poole Grammar School Railway Society trip to Wimborne in the early-1970s. I don't know how widely this mini-tour was publicised, but it only covered a...
Back in 2019 I was on one of the LU TC4 Sunday Special railtours from London to Swanage.
It was hoped the class 117 railcars (which used to do ramblers specials) would be able to run a regular service between Wareham and Swanage, but with access fees and high insurance costs (plus other issues) could not match the lower fares the buses offered.
I don’t think a 3TC will be running this year - I believe the plan has changed to launch a 4TC in the first half of next year. The overhaul of the TFK (70855) came as a bit of a welcome surprise to everyone, as that coach wasn’t expected to be running for another few years.
tumbles
Member
Feel like next years diesel gala would be perfect to debut it with 33111We’ve got unit 413 not 403 - it takes the number from the brake coach
I don’t think a 3TC will be running this year - I believe the plan has changed to launch a 4TC in the first half of next year. The overhaul of the TFK (70855) came as a bit of a welcome surprise to everyone, as that coach wasn’t expected to be running for another few years.
That’s the plan… hopefully everything works out and the final stages of overhaul will be delivered on time!
Invincible
Member
From the last newsletter the Trailer Brake Standard Corridor (TBSK) 70824 was to have moved to near the Goods shed in April for more work, yesterday I noticed some shunting on the webcam, and it's now there. Still time to get the remaining work done, plus afterwards the remaining work on the Driving Trailer Standard Open (DTSO) 76322 by 2027.
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67 - 72 seems like a fairly decent innings for DEMU traction, given the circumstances. Certainly compared to the Cuckoo and West Grinstead lines as an example.
Invincible
Member
Was planned to close in 1968. From the wiki "However, due to opposition focused on the problems in providing a replacement bus service during the summer months, the closure was deferred."
Ironically the subsided bus service and road upgrades (since 1972) plus some other factors, meant the unsubsidised trial DMU service from Wareham to Swanage in 2023 was uneconomic.
I believe the wonderful Marshlink only got through because of the proposed replacement bus company going bust. We got very lucky in Kent.
Definite shame about the recent DMU service not surviving. I've tended to visit the area out of season, so didn't have the chance to go from Wareham, but have used the dedicated DMU's on the line and they were great (although a thumper would have been perfect
)I wonder whether the service needed a bit of help for a few years to get it going.
Yes that is the narrative being advanced by Swanage Railway as a reason for the trial(s) not being continued.
There is of course an alternative narrative which provides greater insight:
1. The very considerable cost of insurance for operating on the mainline. (Cover level of £155M).
2. SRC did not have the non mainline operating certificate and had to "hire in" West Coast Railways complete with certificate.
3. The lack of through fares from stations in the SWR operating area - despite this being advertised.
4. The schedule which effectively rendered the two middle of the day rotations redundant.
5. The lack of a marketing blitz.
6. Heritage Railway fare levels which were a huge disincentive to travel.
7. From memory not operating daily.