Testing work on the new Quarr Farm AOCL* on Saturday, 5th April, 2003
*(Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored)

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright. To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

No 35027 Port Line at the new Quarr Farm AOCL on Saturday, 5th April, 2003

Andrew P.M. Wright has provided us with these photos of testing work on the new Quarr Farm AOCL (Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored) crossing between Swanage and Harman's Cross - actually about half a mile east of Harman's Cross station. The photos were taken on Saturday, 5th April, 2003.

Volunteers from Amey Rail and Network Rail testing the new crossing on Saturday, 5th April, 2003

In this group photo from left to right we see Ian Allison of Amey Rail, Roger Phelps of Amey Rail, Fraser White of the Swanage Railway's signals department, Dave Collins of Amey Rail, Mike Walshaw of the Swanage Railway's signals department with, far right, Melvyn Nash of Network Rail (Railtrack)

Roger Phelps of Amey Rail checks the complex control gear of the new crossing

The volunteers from Amey Rail and Network Rail came to test the new crossing in their capacity as members of the worldwide professional railway organisation The Institution of Railway Signal Engineers. This highly skilled work is vital to the longer term future of the Swanage Railway.

The new Quarr Farm Crossing nears completion on Saturday, 5th April, 2003

The crossing is not yet fully open, as work is still needed to be completed on the approaches. This work will include the surfacing of the road on each side of the crossing and the final adjusting of the lights and equipment testing.

No 80078 Standard Tank on driver experience work at the new Quarr Farm AOCL on Saturday, 5th April, 2003

The Standard Tank pictured in the shots was driven by early Swanage Railway volunteer Pete Duncalfe and fired by Pete Rand while Southern Locomotives Ltd's Merchant Navy class Bulleid Pacific (No. 35027 Port Line) was driven by Geoff Carter and fired by Phil Thower.

Standard Tank No 80078 with M7 No. 30053 belonging to the Drummond Locomotive Society at the new Quarr Farm AOCL on Saturday, 5th April, 2003

Andrew has also sent us this shot of the No 80078 Standard Tank (which is also pictured on driver experience work) coming back and approaching the Quarr Farm crossing from Norden Park and Ride after having picked up the M7 No. 30053 belonging to the Drummond Locomotive Society. The M7 had arrived by road at Norden after a spell operating on the West Somerset Railway. It is seen here with the Standard Tank just passing the Harman's Cross distant signal and about to pass over the Quarr Farm crossing.

No 80078 Standard Tank on driver experience work at the new Quarr Farm AOCL on Saturday, 5th April, 2003