Because originally there was supposed to be a bigger line up at Swanage I bought a 2 day ticket to get everything in without it being a huge rush! Obviously I got it all easily on the Friday.
Anyway I had paid for a ticket so I was going and I had also bought the driver experience to drive a Class 20. Again this wasn't there but there were using an 08 so it was better than nothing! My only hope now was it was 08436 being used as I had ha a cab ride in D3591 yesterday!
Didn't need an early start today! So I caught a train from Pokesdown to Wareham and waited for the bus to Corfe Castle. Finally at the railway it was a double header of the 27 and 33 which took me to Norden.
A few trips up and down the line on all the available traction was had and soon it was time for my driver experience. I was able to get some line side photos on my walk to where it was taking place which was good. I then found out D3591 had failed that morning on its way down and 08436 was being used! Brilliant!
I loved it! I was in full control of the 08 for just short of a mile further up the line towards Furzebrook and back. Thoroughly enjoyed it! Next time the 20? Hope so!
It was then back to Swanage to meet my wife and friend. We would all then be heading to Harmans Cross for the ale festival.
After a few hours there we had to head to Corfe for the bus back to Wareham. I left slightly before the girls to go an see a friend who was working in the signal box. The trains had started running late again! Didn't matter as we ha planned an hour or so in Corfe at a pub! I managed a few photos from the signal box which i liked! Was also good to see Marco again after many years!
So a good second day! Hopefully I can go next year and hopefully the Swanage organisers will get some luck and have no failing trains leading convoys to the event! 2 years in a row, or worse still, 3 locos failing is bad luck!
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