The Swanage Railway Trust

Rail Ale

The Swanage Rail Ale Festival took place last weekend (19th to 21st May) and brought a good number of additional visitors to the Railway on a weekend that, given the awful weather, could have seen very low numbers of passengers. As well as a basic increase in visitor numbers the association with CAMRA has broadened the Railway’s publicity base with our furthest visitor for the weekend coming from Edinburgh! As this event was a first for the Railway there are many things that can be learnt but all the feedback that I have received from staff and passengers was positive and I hope that we will be able to repeat this event in the future.

This is the last special event before the main summer season so thoughts are now turning to finalising plans for the Steam Gala and Vintage Rally in September.

Project Swanage

This project, currently in its early stages, will fulfil the Strategic Plan’s target to complete Phase 2 of Swanage Signalling and commission Platform 1 at Swanage. Whilst planning for Components 2 to 4 is not fully advanced planning has now started on Component 1 which it is hoped will take place in the Winter period 2007/8, with some preparatory works during 2007.

Project Swanage comprises four distinct components:

• Component 1 – Swanage Sub-base (Winter 2007/8)
• Component 2 – Reinstating the Bay Platform (Autumn 2008)
• Component 3 – Installing Crossover (Winter 2008)
• Component 4 – Completion of Phase 2 Signalling (Winter 2008)

Component 1 will address some of the underlying issues that exist between the platform ends at Swanage and Northbrook Road Bridge, including the damage that has been apparent to the drainage since the flooding in the early 1990s. As part of the project the track will be lifted and the contaminated ballast dug out. The clay sub-base will be stabilised and the track re-laid.

As part of this component it is proposed to take the opportunity to make a number of other changes to the infrastructure at Swanage. This could include:

• The extension of the platforms to comfortably accommodate 5-coaches in Platform 2.
• The removal of the Water Tower to Norden.
• Realignment of the Platform Loop, including an investigation into installing a double slip.

As well as returning the infrastructure to a fully serviceable condition this component will ensure that long-term maintenance liabilities are avoided following the commissioning of Platform 1. A key part of this project will be keeping its costs under control and heavy volunteer input will be required if we are to both reduce the cost of the work itself and not increase the cost by losing more operating days than is absolutely necessary. As an example missing Thomas week would increase the cost by up to £60,000 – clearly a cost we should plan to avoid. PLEASE BOOK YOUR JANUARY 2008 HOLIDAY IN SWANAGE NOW!

Suggestions Box

The old PAN Box in the Station House Lobby (beneath the displayed Newsletters) has found a new life as a suggestions box. Please use it to make any suggestions for improvements if you are unable to find me, or your idea keeps slipping your mind at other times. Please try to suggest a way of implementing your idea as finding the resources to carry out every idea is often the greatest reasons for something not happening. I hope that this will open up a new source for ideas that will help us to improve the Railway.
 

Management of the Railway

Part 2: The Departments

I have been asked by several people to write a little bit about how the Railway is managed and who is responsible for various aspects of its operation. Last month I tried to summarise the relationships between and responsibilities of the SRT and SRCL. In this article I will outline the various departments within SRCL and their areas of activity.

Day-to-day management of operating and commercial aspects of the Railway is in the hands of a team of managers under the supervision of the General Manager. Financial matters are dealt with by the Finance and Administration Department managed by the Finance and Administration Manager and under the direction of the Finance Director. Health and Safety matters are dealt with by the Company Safety and Environment Officer. This method of segregation means that monitoring of financial and health and safety matters have a degree of separation from the operating and commercial management teams.

The railway is structured into Marketing, Catering, Retail, Operations, Locomotive Carriage & Wagon and Infrastructure departments/groups.

Marketing Department

The Marketing Department is responsible for the commercial development, promotion and corporate image of the railway. It comprises and number of groups and individuals who are co-ordinated by the General Manager. Within the Marketing Department there are groups who currently undertake the following functions:

• Advertising
• Publicity Unit
• E-marketing
• Publications and literature

Catering Department

The Catering Department is formed of two sections – the Station Buffets and On Train Catering – under the management of the Buffets Manager and On Train Catering Manager respectively. The Station Buffets provide a basic service of hot and cold drinks at Swanage and Norden stations, also providing hot meals at Swanage. The On Train Catering section operates the buffets on some service trains and regular premium priced dining train services.

Retail Department

The Retail Department operates the shop at Swanage Station and in managed by the Retail Manager. The Shop sells a range of souvenirs and confectionary.

Operations Group

The Operations Group is key in the delivery of train services to our passengers. The Operations Group is made up of two departments – the Motive Power Department and the Traffic Department. It is under the overall management of the Operations Manager who is directly responsible for the Motive Power Department which is responsible for staffing locomotives (i.e. Cleaners, Firemen and Drivers). He is assisted by the Traffic Manager who has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Traffic Department. The Traffic Department provides those operational staff who are not involved in the operation of locomotives (i.e. Porters, Booking Clerks, Ticket Inspectors, Guards and Signalmen).

Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Group

The Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Group provides locomotives and rolling stock to fulfil the requirements of the Operations Departments. The L, C &W Group is made up of two departments who work closely together and share staff – the Locomotive Department and Carriage and Wagon Department. It is under the overall management of the Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Manager. There is a dedicated group of Carriage and Wagon volunteers under the supervision of the Carriage and Wagon Volunteer Coordinator.

Infrastructure Group

The Infrastructure Group is made up of 3 groups of departments:

• Civil Engineering and Permanent Way;
• Signal & Telegraph and Telecom; and
• Stations.

These come under the management of the Civil Engineering Manager, Permanent Way Manager, Signal and Telegraph Manager, Telecom Manager and Station Managers. Overall co-ordination in planning is provided by the Infrastructure Manager who also manages aspects that are of common use to departments within the group. As well as individual work groups within departments the Infrastructure Support Group meets once a month to support projects that are in progress.

Sources of further information

The Safety Management System (SMS) is an important document that sets out how the Railway manages all aspects of Health and Safety. The central document is available around the railway. Please read and familiarise yourself with this document as it contains important information about how the railway, and its health and safety, are managed. It also outlines personal responsibilities. Department Managers hold a copy of section relevant to their department and in addition copies of all sections are held at the following locations:

• Swanage Signal Box (SMS No. 16)
• Harmans Cross Signal Box (SMS No. 17)
• Corfe Castle Signal Box (SMS No. 18)
• Signing On Point (Station House Lobby) (SMS No. 20)
• Swanage Goods Shed Signing On Point (SMS No. 21)
• Swanage Loco Shed Signing On Point (SMS No. 22)
• Harmans Cross Signing On Point (Porters Room) (SMS No. 23)
• Corfe Castle Signing On Point (Porters Room) (SMS No. 24)
• Norden Site Office (Park and Ride) (SMS No. 25)

Details of any additions/alterations will be included in the regular publications mentioned below. The SMS is supported by the Rules and Regulations which provide instruction relating to the safe operation of trains and these are issued to staff to whom they apply, although the basic safety information in Section A applies to all staff.

The Working Timetable contains details of planned train operations and other services and commercial information. Train operating information is communicated by the weekly publication of Traffic Notices. These contain information on planned train movements, work by Infrastructure Departments and safety notices. In addition a monthly Newsletter is published to provide more general information on issues relating to the operation and management of the railway. Both of these publications will be distributed around the railway.

In addition to these documents there is a Staff Handbook that provides details of policies that affect both paid and volunteer staff. The whole handbook applies to paid staff but those sections not relating specifically to paid staff and conditions also apply to volunteer members of staff where applicable. A copy is available for viewing in the lobby of Station House at Swanage.

It is hoped that the six documents summarised above will provide most, if not all, of the information required by staff in the routine performance of their duties.
 

Working Parties

Infrastructure Support Group (ISG)

Details to be agreed. Contact Frank Roberts (07703 566941).

Carriage and Wagon

Meet Saturdays and Sundays from 9am in the Swanage Goods Shed. Contact Jeremy Weller.

Civil Engineering

Meets Monday to Wednesday. Check times and location with Dennis Gregory (01929 422792).

Permanent Way Work

Meets Monday to Thursday at 8:30am. Please check location with Tony Andrews (07798 743016).

Signal and Telegraph Wednesday Gang

Meet most Wednesdays at 9am, usually starting at Corfe Castle. Contact: Dave Cobb (07790 205454).
 

Vacancies

Contact name person (via Station House) for more information:

Traffic – Booking Clerks are required to help man Swanage and other Booking Offices on a daily basis. Contact Martin Trott.
 

Training Courses

Training courses for staff working towards parts of the SRVQ are held as listed below. All courses are held at the Swanage MPD. The bracketed numbers refer to the SRVQ Unit that they cover – please see the Safety Management System (General Instruction 17) for more information.
 

For details of additional courses please contact the person responsible as follows:

• SR PTS - Mike Standhaft
• NR PTS - Nick Brown
• Signalling Rules - Mike Whitwam
• First Aid - Nick Brown

Notes from the Board Meeting on 20th May

Health and Safety

The recent ‘near-miss’ SPAD at Swanage and the subsequent actions were noted.

Finance

Performance in April was reported as good with the year to date showing an overall better position that the budget. Cash flow is also improved with nearly £46,000 less overdraft at the end of April 2006 compared with the same time last year. As in previous years this has been assisted by a commercial loan from the Trust. The creditors figure is also lower at the same date. A health warning was made that until the end of May the variable days/dates of the Bank Holidays can make predictions volatile and care was still needed to maintain our progress in the area of financial management.

General Manager’s Report

Project Swanage

Two consultation meetings have now taken place to gain views from a wide range of staff. Frank Roberts is now compiling the competing opinions on the way forward and, together with Dennis Gregory, will be compiling the information required for a formal submission in the near future. It is anticipated that the project will have several phases (funded individually) leading, at the conclusion to the making available of the Bay Platform for traffic.

At the moment there are no firm costings although numbers of varying degrees of probability have been stated around the Railway – it was noted that the loss of revenue from reduced running days could significantly increase the cost of the project if it required a longer than normal shutdown (loosing a Thomas Week would reduce income by up to £65,000). Volunteer labour and sponsorship from suppliers would be sought to reduce the actual material and staff costs of the project.

Echo Article

During last week an article appeared in The Bournemouth Daily Echo regarding disabled travel on the Railway. The article contained three factual inaccuracies:

• The article stated that the Railway would only cater for groups of 5 children or less;
• That we refused to have children taken from their wheelchairs to normal seats; and
• That there was no-where for the coach to park.

The Echo had also been told, inaccurately, by the school that they had had an extended series of communications with us over the matter. The reporter also admitted that the article contained inaccuracies and was sloppily written.

It is normal to offer disabled groups the options of splitting into more than one group (but retaining the group rate) or moving any passengers into ordinary seating if this is possible. Disabled parties are encouraged to use the coach facilities at Norden or to drop-off in Gilbert Road and park coaches in the Main Beach Car Park.

The Echo have verbally apologised for the article and offered right of reply through the letters page (taken up by Mike Stollery). They have also removed the article from the Purbeck pages of their website. I have invited the reporter to visit us and have a guided tour so that he can see the reality of what we do – if this offer is taken up I will ensure that he is aware of our efforts to cater for the disabled and how we currently exceed many of the minimum standards set out in the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (from which we are exempted). I have called the school to check facts relating to the matter but have either had no reply or not had my calls returned so far.

Corfe Castle Chamber of Trade

I attended the Corfe Castle Chamber of Trade meeting. The Chamber’s own brochure has been popular and a further one will be produced for 2007.

There will be a monthly Farmers Market for three months from May on a trial basis. If this continues then there may be a traffic advantage to us in being involved in its promotion.

It was reported that PDC are becoming more aggressive over their enforcement of Planning breaches to listed buildings and within conservation areas. There are apparently a number of instances of matters proceeding to enforcement notice stage with the onus being placed on the owner to prove that the changes were pre-existing the listing of the building or conservation area status being gained. The Federation of Small Businesses is co-ordinating much of the response to this.

Trial Driver Experience

On Monday 8th May we undertook a trial of a revised Driver Experience package. The practicalities seemed to work well and, once an assessment is made of how it could be timetabled, costs and potential pricing will be looked at in detail. We can only take 4 participants for the day which, at a price of £250, would bring revenue of £1000 per day. This is less than our current arrangement but the product is much better for the individual and there is a far greater potential to convert participants into volunteers as they are given a greater flavour of what is involved.

It was agreed to bring draft publicity material and more detailed calculations to the next meeting in order to launch these products before the main summer season. This material would promote:

• Taster 1 hour Driver Experience (current product)
• Full Day Driver Experience
• Diesel Experience.

Carriage Plan

The updated draft Carriage Plan was discussed and, with some minor amendments will be published shortly.

The Plan does not deal with the increasing problem of capacity in luggage areas which are becoming more and more cramped with larger buggies and pushchairs. From next year it will probably be necessary to use the two BSKs rather than, or in addition to, the BSOB to increase our luggage carrying capacity.

The original plan also included the General Overhaul of the SK(H). The coach could be used, as required, for its designed purpose as well as providing a venue for meetings and entertainment events.

The plan identifies the need for improved facilities and foremost on this list is to install a pit for carriage examinations. The logical place for this is outside Goods Shed and this will probably start the project planning process in the next few months.

2007 Timetable

At recent Traffic and Marketing Meetings drafts of next year’s timetable were proposed. The consensus was to retain the timetable as closely as possible to 2006. With the success of recent Party Travel publicity we are starting to get 2007 enquiries and Reservations staff are provisionally booking people on the basis of 2006 times.

Project PW01 Herston Relay and Realignment

The proposal to relay 10 panels of defective concrete sleepered track, dig out spoil and relay using new rail, sleepers and ballast. Realign track from Swanage Outer Home to Herston Straight. This project is required to renew poor quality concrete sleepers, worn rail and treat an area of contaminated track bed. At the later SRT CoM meeting it was agreed that the SRT would fund the materials fro this project with the proceeds of any scrap sale being repaid to the Trust.
 

Future Meetings

• Manager’s Meeting, 3:30pm 21st June, Bar Car
• Board Meeting, 9:30am 24th June, Rectory Classroom
• CoM Meeting, 2pm 24th June, Rectory Classroom

Nick Brown
General Manager
Swanage Station
Tel: 01929 475213 or 07901 852198
Email: nick.brown@71b.co.uk

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Photographs

All photographs on this page by and copyright Andrew P.M. Wright,
Swanage Railway official photographer