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Swanning Around


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Swanning Around is a volunteer produced newsletter giving a look at what's happening around the Swanage Railway. Prepared and edited by John Denison, Swanning Around will be a regular publication with news, photos, gossip and more.

To contribute to the newsletter, please send your news, photos etc. to John Denison - email swanningaround@swanagerailway.co.uk

Please Note: Earlier editions (94 to 104) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (94-104) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (80 to 93) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (80-93) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (70 to 79) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (70-79) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (61 to 69) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (61-69) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (46 to 60) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (46-60) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (36 to 45) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (36-45) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (24 to 35) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (24-35) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (12 to 23) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (12-23) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (1 to 11) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (1-11) page


Swanning Around - Issue 104, 7th December 2023.

Issue 104 of Swanning Around

We wish our readers and Swanage Railway supporters a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. The Swanage Railway Christmas offering this year is The Polar Express and, as you might expect, there’s some of that in this issue. The main concern for the railway management is still the finances and there is more of this as well. With details of Sygnets and progression, a new Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Officer and movements in and out there is much to read.

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 104 (7th December).

Swanning Around - Issue 104 - 7th December 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 103, 7th November 2023.

Issue 103 of Swanning Around

More of the T3 but more important news from the Trust and the Company about changes in responsibilities and the current financial position. Preparations are now under way for the Polar Express Christmas service which is being run by an external company. Details of mega shunting in preparation, movement of 34053 Sit Keith Park from Herston Works to Tyseley for a boiler swap and of plans to send Car 14 to Margate for a winter respite.

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 103 (7th November).

Swanning Around - Issue 103 - 7th November 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 102 Supplement, 14th October 2023.

Issue 102 Suupplement of Swanning Around

A supplement to Issue 102 - focussing on the launch of the Adams T3 No. 563 with images of the launch event and BBC South Today TV filming at Swanage.

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 102 Supplement (14th October).

Swanning Around - Issue 102 Supplement - 14th October 2023
Swanning Around - Issue 102, 5th October 2023.

Issue 102 of Swanning Around

The T3 is (rightly!) the topic of the moment and this new issue of Swanning Around focuses on the return to steam of the T3 and commissioning work before the launch events on 7th/8th October.

Together with the T3, there are reports on volunteer first experiences, the end of Wareham services (for 2023) and the visit to Swanage of the last Cross-Country HST 125 service. Add in the Sygnets visit to the Churnet Valley Railway and the LSWR Signalling Instructions for use on the Swanage branch in 1898!

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 102 (5th October).

Swanning Around - Issue 102 - 5th October 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 101, 5th September 2023.

Issue 101 of Swanning Around

With the T3 now at Swanage it continues to grab the headlines - and this is before it starts to haul trains again! Reports of arrival and transfer to Swanage.

Together with the T3, there are reports on works to restore BR class 438 4TC multiple unit, a SITREP (from Frank Roberts - who else ;-) ), grateful thanks and volunteer opportunities plus visits from the Rail Minister and the CEO of Network Rail. All very high level stuff.

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 101 (5th September).

Swanning Around - Issue 101 - 5th September 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 100, 6th August 2023.

Issue 100 of Swanning Around

For this special issue, it’s the usual mish-mash of happenings and people that is normal for Swanning Around, but lots more of it. It’s a mega-issue!

There have been so many good things happening in July that it’s difficult to know where to start, but the steam testing of T3 no. 563 must be right up there. Also in this issue, we’re on the telly! Yes, Swanage Railway features in episode two of the Channel 5 documentary “Dorset: Country and Coast”. Some more coaches for the 4TC Group and a refreshed BSOB arrive at the railway. We have an entry in the Swanage carnival procession, and this time, more pictures of what makes the Swanage Railway work — the people!

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 100 (6th August).

Swanning Around - Issue 100 - 6th August 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 99, 2nd July 2023.

Issue 99 of Swanning Around

Another bumper edition of Swanning Around with reports from the recent Roads to Rail event - road locomotives, rail locomotives, cars trucks and more. Details of the various Swanage Railway stands including Sygnets, Museum, Hertiage Carriages, Catering and more. Updates on the restoration of the Afmas T3 No. 563 at the Flour Mill and detailed SITREP from Frank Roberts on actions from the SRT CoM meetings, a visit from social media star Francois Bourgeois, a 'driver for a tenner' experience for a blind driver, washing the Wareham DMU set and much more.

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 99 (2nd July).

Swanning Around - Issue 99 - 2nd July 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 98, 4th June 2023.

Issue 98 of Swanning Around

A bumper edition of Swanning Around with updates from the Diesel Gala and the Beer Festival together with a SITREP from Frank Roberts, information about passenger numbers and a busy bank holiday weekend. Look out for the return of mucky men of the month (!), photos of mucky loco of the month (Manston in 'weathered' look), movements in and out, a presentation at Corfe, updates on Adams T3 No. 563 now nearing completion of restoration and much much more!

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 98 (4th June).

Swanning Around - Issue 98 - 4th June 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 97, 30th April 2023.

Issue 97 of Swanning Around

April 4th saw the start of mainline trains between Swanage and Wareham. A significant achievement as this time the trains were using our own rolling stock! News from around the railway including a new SITREP from Frank Roberts on recent SRT CoM and SRC Board discussions, news of exciting developments with the T3 restoration, news of a new sustainable bus service to Arne RSPB reserve,

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 97 (30th April).

Swanning Around - Issue 97 - 30th April 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 96, 5th April 2023.

Issue 96 of Swanning Around

A big event for the Swanage Railway - the return to the mainline and the restoration of direct rail services between Swanage and Wareham on 4th April. Issue 96 leads on the eventful day together with information and photos from the Spring Steam Gala with two visiting locomotives. News too of work to repair Bridge 11 near Furzebrook, redecoration of the Station Master's sitting room at Corfe Castle, together with training work and the Corfe Castle museum. And not least, updated communications with details from the Board.

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 96 (5th April).

Swanning Around - Issue 96 - 5th April 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 95, 5th March 2023.

Issue 95 of Swanning Around

A bumoer edition with news of the start of passenger service running at the start of February then Community Engagement weekend and the half-term school holiday. No Mucky Man of the month but a Mucky Team and a Mucky Loco! There is news of work around Swanage including to 33 111 and the recycling (or is it upcycling?) of the centre coach of an EPB set. Lastly, and sadly, there is news of vandalism at Swanage and attempted arson to the Wessex Belle set.

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 95 (5th March).

Swanning Around - Issue 95 - 5th March 2023

Swanning Around - Issue 94, 30th January 2023.

Issue 94 of Swanning Around

The first Swanning Around in 2023 and news of the post Christmas DMU workings and then the Winter Warm Up. Check in for some pictures of mucky men (!) and the PWay team hard at work replacing points and track at Swanage. A lot of action in a quiet time of year!

Please click the link or the image (right) to download Swanning Around - Issue 94 (30th January).

Swanning Around - Issue 94 - 30th January 2023

Please Note: Earlier editions (80 to 93) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (80-93) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (70 to 79) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (70-79) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (61 to 69) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (61-69) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (46 to 60) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (46-60) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (36 to 45) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (36-45) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (24 to 35) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (24-35) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (12 to 23) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (12-23) page

Please Note: Earlier editions (1 to 11) of Swanning Around have now been moved to a separate (1-11) page


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