This summary of activity around the Railway is compiled from the
departmental manager's monthly reports.
On Train Catering
No Report.
Station Buffets
June figures were good and both the Birds Nest and Norden
Nest buffets met their budgets. July started off quite slowly in
both buffets – mainly due to the hot weather. Since the children
have been on holiday from school there has been as significant
improvement. The busiest time of day seems to be when everyone
comes off the beach to catch the 18 10 DMU.
The Norden Nest has been open and will be open throughout
August at 09 25. All Norden Nest staff catch the 09 00 DMU from
Swanage as this generates more revenue.
Throughout July every Wednesday and Saturday the Birds Nest
Buffet has been open until 9pm serving evening meals. This has
proved very successful with an income of over £100 a night in
the beginning of the trial period. This trial will be continued
throughout August with steaks being introduced on the Fireworks
Nights – 29th July, 2nd and 5th August and onwards. There way be
a possibility of opening on Friday nights in August – staff
permitting. The evenings have been staffed by Chris and Steve
together with other volunteers.
Chris Miles
Deputy Station Catering Manager.
Retail
No Report.
Operations
On Sunday 25th June the 11:50 service from Swanage formed by
the Class 108 DMU arrived at Harmans Cross with steam emitting
from radiator cap. The Driver tried to tighten the cap but it
blew off scolding both of his arms and one leg, the driver was
taken to hospital and the train continued approximately thirty
minutes late with the RO driving. The examining fitter failed
the DMU on Monday morning, with no unit available for Tuesday’s
market train it was decided to use steam. Unfortunately the
pressure gauge on 80078 failed at 08:45, the 09:00 departed at
09:05 behind 33 108. The pressure gauge was replaced in time for
the 09:50 departure. Repairs to the 117 power car enabled it to
enter traffic with the trailer car from the 108 unit in time for
the following weekend.
An evening carriage cleaning special went to Norden on 28th
June this was to enable the windows to be cleaned on the down
side of the train.
The last day of Driver Experience on 2nd July finished badly
with 80078 being failed with hot axleboxes before the last
train.
The DMU (Class 117 power car) failed at Corfe Castle on
Friday 7th July at 23:25, I was advised by the signalman at
23:45. The signalman was instructed to arrange for taxis to
return the passengers to Swanage, the unit being recovered early
next morning. The Saturday diesel service was covered using a
Class 33 and coaching stock, Sunday’s diesel service used the
DMU, which had been repaired during Saturday. The other power
car for the 117 DMU, which had been in store at Harmans Cross
left the railway on 5th July, bound for the Midland Railway
Centre for bodywork repairs.
6412 arrived on 11th July from the West Somerset Railway it
entered traffic on 13th but was failed with a broken spring that
evening.
The first weekend of peak season timetable was marred by 6412
being failed on shed with a leaking fusible plug, 33 108
substituted for both days. Two steam locomotives started the
week on Monday 24th.
The coal conveyor failed on the evening of the 24th
fortunately both locomotives had sufficient coal for the
following day. The conveyor was repaired by LC&W staff on the
25th allowing locomotives to be coaled for the 26th.
Steve Dyer
Operations Manager
Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon
Locomotives
- 80078 – Failed with defective bogie axle box. Loco was
lifted outside Goods Shed. Bogie moved to engine shed and
dismantled. All 4 axle boxes to Herston Works for SLE to
assess and re- white metal as required. Axle boxes back at
SR this week for fitting and bogie re-assembly.
- 6695 – Routine washout and exam carried out.
- 6412 – On hire from West Somerset Railway. Unfortunately
this loco arrived with a broken driving wheel spring. WSRA
spring contractor delivered their overhauled spring to SR on
Monday. LCW staff fitted the spring. Loco now undergoing
boiler washout and exam.
- 80104 - Accepted into traffic 18/07/06. Following much
work by SRCL and SLE staff. Routine maintenance and use
ongoing.
- 30053 - Boiler work continues at Gambles, Portland.
- D6515 – Available for traffic.
- 33108 – Available for traffic.
- 08436 – Available for traffic
- D3591 – Seized crankshaft freed off and big end cap nuts
loosened for piston removal.
- 108 DMU – Radiator fan seized. Leading to lack of
cooling and subsequent overheating. Unfortunately the driver
was scalded by steam escaping from radiator cap. Fan
overhauled and re-fitted. 108 DMU now reformed to enable 117
DMBS to be added as a 3rd car.
- 117 DMBS – Entered traffic in time to take over from 108
DMBS.
Carriages
- 1885 RMB – Intermediate Overhaul completed in time for
Peak timetable. Now formed into correct set formations. Not
open often though.
Wagons
- 1248 PMV – Body rebuild ongoing by C & W volunteers.
- QM Brake Van – Back in Goods Shed for Wareham end wall
to be replaced.
Dolphin Ballast wagon will be moved to Swanage shortly for
hopper repairs.
A pulley wheel on the No.1 crane was failed by the visiting
Crane Inspector. Fraser White asked me to arrange corrosion
repairs. Which were carried out. I understand that we are now
waiting for Derry to carry out test lifts before the Crane is
available for use.
James Cox
LCW Manager
Infrastructure
Introduction.
The past month has been busy and the first frustrations that
come with the intensive service have arrived. Planning has
commenced for the shutdown, although work on Project Swanage
remains slow. PW are keen for a means to drop more ballast
(Walrus). We have had a number of volunteers for the vacant
Station Managers slots!
Other Practical Tasks.
Norden Pad. I am extremely grateful to all who have
helped clear this area, and only a few remaining items are left
to be moved. As a reminder no item should be left on the ground
of the Pad, except those cleared by the GM or myself, and then
only for a maximum of 28 days.
Waste Bunkers. Three have been constructed at Harman’s
Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden. The one at Herson Bank is due to
be moved closer to the bridge shortly.
Waste Management Areas. A number have now been labeled
with new signage. Further details to follow.
Army Exercise Topham Hatt. The first visit in nearly
two years has taken place this week involving seven soldiers
from Blandford, and five Railway staff. The military party, who
were extremely keen, was led by a SSgt who has just arrived at
Blandford and is charged with being the main link between the
Army and the Railway. The re-painting of the three containers on
Herston Bank has commenced (indeed the original one has never
been painted by us). Soldiers built the waste bunker at Corfe,
and started to install new lamp posts at Norden.
Administration.
New e-mail
(infrastructure@swanage-railway.co.uk ) for the
Infrastructure Manager up and running. I have asked all
railway staff to use it.
The Property Group continues to consider the long term
inspection regime for the station buildings and associated
structures. Next meeting due on Fri 28 Jul. We will probably
discuss other Civil Engineering matters as well as liaison with
Jeff Card.
PW-J has handed me all of the drawings he has held on behalf
of Swanage Railway. They are currently at my home.
Most recent electrical usage summary from Jeff Cole due out
soon.
Frank Roberts
Infrastructure Manager
Permanent Way and Civil Engineering
General Maintenance
- Lifted, packed and slewed Pondarosa to Wilderness
- Lifted, packed and slewed New Barn Bridge (both sides)
- Strimming and clearing Swanage to Herston
- Eastleigh for replacement lift plates
- Ballast delivery, loaded and dropped 60 tons
- Some spraying of HX signal wires , also some strimming
- Lifted and packed in HX and Dickers areas
- Clear out Swanage catch pits
- Gauge checks at Swanage and Corfe
- Insert tie bars at Bridge 17
- Lift and pack between Bridge 16 and Norden Farm Crossing
- PTS at Eastleigh
- Changing sleepers Swanage to Herston
- Spreading ballast at New Barn
- Lifting and packing dips and joints Swanage to Herston
- Visit Cats Eye re. Gates and vegetation complaints
- Eastleigh with truck t pick up point chairs, mileposts
and pads
- Order PPI
- Order Weedkiller
- John Bull is pursuing milepost marker castings
Planned work:
- Jack and pack Herston pointwork area
- Re-sleeper Dickers and Nursery Bridge
- Lift and pack at Woodyhyde and slue
- Lift and pack pointwork at Skew Arch Bridge
- Clear vegetation and gully Motala to Cats Eye
The track around Bridge 18 is becoming badly corrugated due
to braking/wheel flats.
Tony Andrews
PW Manager
Signal & Telegraph and Telecom
Inspections
The Annual S&T inspections have been completed and the
repairs and replacement program will be produced from this
information. The documentation for the Level Crossing Risk
Assessment has been completed and has been passed to the Health
and Safety consultant for issue
Equipment
S&T equipment on the Herston Bank store is slowly being
sorted and unusable items being scrapped. A recent visit to
Ashford, Kent enabled us to acquire surplus Westinghouse A2
locking frame spares, pulley wheels, signal adjusters, parts of
a signal motor etc.
Norden ABCL Crossing
Over the last few months work has progressed on the design
and cost estimates for the installation of the crossing. Various
options to activate the crossing have been investigated in
detail but every option has created problems in either safe
operation or sighting. A further meeting of the design group
will take place to go through all the options now that all the
possibilities have been identified.
Dave Cobb
S&T Manager
Internal Telephone System & Cable Network
The damaged ariel cable at New Barn has now been replaced.
Thanks to Frank Roberts and Joe for their help. There are many
poles along the Railway that are too tall. We have decided that
18ft (5.5m) above track level would be the optimum height for
poles where there are no adverse conditions, e.g. road crossing
or obstructions. We have begun to mark poles so that cables can
be lowered, and the steps re positioned. Some poles are showing
signs of age at the top, so cutting a few feet off will increase
their life span, and with the cables lower there is not so much
leverage so making them more stable.
Business Communications Manager & BT Lines
We have not been able to access the BCM. This was found to be
due to a cable being unplugged, as it was not long enough,
during the recent re arrangement of the upstairs office.
However, this cable has now been replaced by Stuart, and he has
since been able to re program the speed dials – new sheets to be
issued shortly. We also hope to investigate the Reservations
voice mails a s a p. A new email address (tony.andrews@corfestation.f2s.com)
has been added to the Corfe Castle broadband for Tony Andrews.
Faults
Swanage Exchange suffered a fault that effectively put it out
of action on Wed 28th June. The fault, which stopped all tones
and ringing, was quickly diagnosed and repaired first thing on
Thursday.
Terry Otter
Telecom Manager
Stations
Swanage
A great deal of time and money is now spent administering the
state of the public toilets. I have seen Geoff Brooks at STC to
see how to increase the water pressure so the cisterns fill up
quicker – thereby reducing complaints that the toilets do not
flush. Professional plumbers have been in twice, and we
completed an afternoon of work in the ladies.
New lock fitted and ¼” taken off bottom of Booking Hall door
to assist with opening it.
Two new bike stands fitted; closer fitted on side door to
House; bench repaired.
Dave Ensor and Mike continue to improve the recent garden
area changes.
Signs for Nest completed.
Met an electrician who may undertake work in the shop – he
has not got back to me yet.
Plans a-foot possible repair of roof and decoration of some
upstairs offices.
John and Julie Trott believe someone is fly tipping grass on
our land, damaging orchids, and our neighbours are complaining
(about the lack of orchids). I hope to post a letter on fence
shortly asking fly tipper to stop.
Herston
Purbeck stone cladding fixed to concrete on new bench
foundations.
Watering of the plants continues almost daily at the moment.
Three more fenceposts at back of platform replaced/repaired. I
feel the timber structure of the Halt platform will need major
works within less than five years.
Middle lamp on ramp access now working for first time since
installation.
It is pleasing to see Ops staff manning the Halt when they
have people to do it. Thank you.
New 2.5 meter sign located under Scenery Van to indicate to
passengers the direction of Swanage and all stations to Wareham,
which may assist Ops to work out when passengers wish them to
stop, and when they do not (!)
Harman’s Cross
The signalbox toilet is up and running, unfortunately there
is no hot water for the signalman, and Roger Orchard is
approaching Langdon Tomkins to enquire about the possibility of
a new supply cable and boiler (this is not in the current budget
however).
New Station Buildings. Following completion of the drawings,
estimates for the costs are now being worked on; following which
Roger will be in a position to release the plans for
consultation. I have relayed some information from Andrew Moore
to Roger on the current pledges, and I will seek the Board’s
support for this matter through the Planning Application stages
once the full information has been released (subject also to the
GMs strategic plan for Planning Applications).
A new gate and bridge have been installed to the organic
garden. The new fenceposts will have struts fixed to them where
necessary.
The station lamp posts will change from black to green as and
when painting support can be found.
Corfe Castle
The Goods Shed in-operative lamps have been looked at by Dave
Burrow, who located some disturbing failures in the supply
system. They are working now.
The platform lamp failure this past week was due to the
sensor being filled with water. Now repaired.
Mick Stone will check the estimate for hot water installation
into the staff toilet and then contact the plumber.
Norden
The fence at the entrance to the station has been painted. It
took an estimated 10 working days to complete the task.
We are due to paint the lamp posts next.
Station platform lighting all working, and a start made on
the installation of three new lamp posts.
Electrical supply to the crane also in hand at this location.
Frank Roberts. |