| | Thomas the Tank Engine.‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ is back with us for the half-term week from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February, along with Sir Topham Hat the Fat Controller, Bulgy the Bus and all the other attractions. For further info call at the Station, phone 01929 425800 or visit our website at www.swanagerailway.co.uk. Our Train ServicesFrom 25 Feb onwards we re-start our basic 1-train steam service every weekend until daily running starts after the Branch Line Weekend of 1-2 April. Trains leave Swanage at 9.50 and then every 80 minutes at 11.10, 12.30, 1.50, 3.10 and 4.30 and leave Norden Park & Ride at 10.30, 11.50, 1.10, 2.30, 3.50 and 5.10. Another Award.We are delighted to announce that our Corfe Castle Signalling Scheme won the Westinghouse Signalling Award in the National Heritage Railways Award Scheme for 2005. Corfe Castle came into operation in February 2005 as the culmination of some two years’ work by several departments of the Railway. Corfe Castle was the only original passing point on the branch and it now allows us to operate three trains on the line, with trains crossing both here and at Harman’s Cross. Congratulations to those concerned. Purbeck Railway CircleOur next meeting is on Friday 17 Feb when local author Fred Andrews will tell us about his Life as a Dorset Footplateman – from Boyhood to Mainline Fireman, with steam sound recordings. We meet in the Catholic Church Hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage, at 7.00 for 7.30 pm and all are welcome.
Michael Walshaw, Secretary PRC, Station House, Swanage, BH19 1HB, phone 01929 421913. Santa SpecialsThe ‘Santa Season’ is over for another year. As an occasional volunteer in the Reservations Office of the Railway, I had time, when we had only a few seats left, to reflect on what is involved in running the Santa Specials. About eighty staff are needed each day to run the Santa trains! Three trains are required – the Santa Special itself, the Christmas Lunch train and the connecting diesel service from Norden Park and Ride. The engine crews work in two shifts and the maintenance staff have to prepare the locomotives. Each train has a guard, and signalmen are required at the three signal boxes: Swanage, Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle. Porters are on duty at these stations and at Norden. Booking office clerks are needed at Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden, where there is also a Car Park attendant. The catering outlets at Swanage and Norden and the on-train buffets have to be staffed. The Christmas Lunch train needs chef, cooks, waiters, bar staff and washers-up! Father Christmas himself has a large supporting cast of elves and entertainers supervised by a Train Manager. At Swanage, the Shop needs three staff, the Booking Office two and the Reservations Office two. This year more than 4500 adults were fed their mince pies and glasses of sherry, while 3000 children and infants met Father Christmas and received their presents. It was good to hear from many passengers how much they appreciated the quality of the Swanage-made mince pies and the children's gifts. Similar appreciation was expressed regarding the meals on the Lunch train. As a volunteer I can without prejudice pay tribute to the paid staff, who frequently work well beyond their hours to see that everything goes smoothly. If anyone wants to get the feel of mayhem, call in Station House when two phones may be ringing with booking requests and queries, the seven cash outlets are cashing up, and everyone is tiring at the end of a long day. Finally, have a thought for those who ensure that the platforms are clean and rubbish-free and the toilets are in good order for the next day's Santa Special passengers. Now you know one reason why the railway closes down in January. You cannot call on 80 staff for ten days in a single month more than once a year. Father Christmas's hard working young assistants deserve their own Christmas. The track takes a hammering during such an intensive service and the maintenance teams need the railway to themselves to prepare for next season's timetable. And a Happy New Year to you all! Peter Burtwell |