Railroad Forums
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philipmartin wrote:Several hours of British steam.I often visit Swanage as it's a seaside resort not far from where I live - two hours on the bus. The railway there seems a good attraction for the town. I have ridden it several times. It has not yet succeeded in its original intention to be a means for visiting the town as it still, 20 years after being rescued from abandonment, seldom has any trains from the mainline at Wareham. Most of the trains are powered by steam but it does have some diesel electric heritage railcars which are used for late evening trains in the Summer to carry campers from the town to rural sites. It is hoped that at last there may be services from Wareham later this year. Almost certainly they will be diesel railcars as Network Rail do not wish to allow regular steam on their tracks and it would not be easy to change ends on Network Rail's tracks without laying new track.
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philipmartin wrote:Very interesting. Thank you, George.I see there are a few weekend trains in January.
philipmartin wrote:"Learn to drive a loco!" What a good idea. I'm sure any railfan would go for that. £195.00.There was an article on these "driver experience" initiatives in The Railway Magazine recently. Dozens of heritage railways in UK provide them. There are different packages to suit all tastes, ranging from very cheap to several hundred pounds, from one hour to two days, with some including a parallel programme for partners and families. If I recall correctly steam is more popular with the older generation while diesel is the choice of the younger generation - in both cases, that's what they remember from their younger days. It's not only railfans who sign up for this - for many it's just an unusual leisure experience, often given by a partner, just as someone might do a one-off parachute jump or something.
johnthefireman wrote:My impression is that Swanage is well organised with all those things. Its technical operation seems to be well organised and its financial situation looks good too. Its fares strike me as high but plenty of people are willing to pay. And its diesel fares, for the services which enable campers to return to their tents late at night, are really cheap - that is a useful service for people.philipmartin wrote:"Learn to drive a loco!" What a good idea. I'm sure any railfan would go for that. £195.00.There was an article on these "driver experience" initiatives in The Railway Magazine recently. Dozens of heritage railways in UK provide them. There are different packages to suit all tastes, ranging from very cheap to several hundred pounds, from one hour to two days, with some including a parallel programme for partners and families. If I recall correctly steam is more popular with the older generation while diesel is the choice of the younger generation - in both cases, that's what they remember from their younger days. It's not only railfans who sign up for this - for many it's just an unusual leisure experience, often given by a partner, just as someone might do a one-off parachute jump or something.
johnthefireman wrote: in both cases, that's what they remember from their younger days.My aunt and uncle had a sailboat (gaff rigged,) and a motor boat. Their grandchildren only used the motor boat, which is impossible for me to understand. That sailboat was all that I was interested in. In later years, my aunt called it "the Wallflower."
philipmartin wrote:Civilians being taught how to operate locomotives is obviously a new concept for me. I don't believe the practice exists in the "new world" or at least my part of it.I think it should be made clear that they are not really taught how to operate a locomotive alone. There is always a qualified crew member with them who is really in control even if the punters are actually the ones holding the controls.
philipmartin wrote:Insurance costs might be a factor.I recall pitching up at a well known US steam railroad a few years back and asking at the ticket office whether I could have a look at the workshop, as I was a steam fireman. He told me no, because a year or so earlier some punter had stubbed his toe and had sued them, so now the insurance wouldn't allow it. But then he looked around, made sure no-one was listening and told me to go and talk to the fireman on the loco. This I duly did. He also looked around to make sure nobody was listening, then he told me to hang around at the end of the day after everyone had gone. I then got a ride into the workshop on the footplate and the full guided tour of the facilities. The steam fraternity at work!
philipmartin wrote:The midnight train ride. Or how about "The Secret Train Ride" for a movie title. Guaranteed to be popular with enthusiasts.All the steam railways offer this "service". It's seen as a source of income - and should be at the prices they demand.
Things were freer and easier in the old days.
