CLASS 33 DIESEL / 3-CIG PUSH-PULL DIESEL DRIVER EXPERIENCE SPECIALS ON 19th & 20th NOVEMBER 2011

News Item from the Swanage Railway - dated 8th Nov 2011
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3-CIG push-pull slam door train - the Southern Region Class 421 CIG electric multiple unit No. 1498 - at Corfe Castle. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

This unique southern experience allows you to drive both ways for the full length of the Swanage Railway between Swanage and Norden. From Swanage to Norden you will drive the Class 33 and From Norden to Swanage you will drive the 3 CIG.

The Swanage Railway's Class 33-hauled special evening service leaves Corfe Castle for Norden Park & Ride to take visitors to Swanage and the Carnival Fireworks Display on 6th August 2011. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The 'push-pull' train operating the historic service will be the three-coach Southern Region Class 421 CIG electric multiple unit No. 1498 which was the last slam door train to run on the Brockenhurst to Lymington branch in Hampshire in May 2010 before modern diesel multiple unit trains took over.

Pete Duncalfe - who started as a Swanage Railway volunteer back in 1978 - at the contols of the historic 3 CIG unit. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

This is the last time the Swanage Railway intends to use the 3 CIG unit before it departs to its new home on the Epping Ongar railway.

This experience is unique. No heritage railway is currently offering genuine push pull driver experiences with Southern Stock on a southern branch line.

3-CIG push-pull slam door train - the Southern Region Class 421 CIG electric multiple unit No. 1498 - at Corfe Castle with driver Roger Stewart-Hindley. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The offer is available for a strictly limited time, and bookings should be made quickly to avoid disappointment.

We will operate 5 round trips on both days (Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th November) and booking is open now.

Southern Region Class 421 CIG electric multiple unit No. 1498 at Corfe Castle station. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The cost of the experience is £250. The experience will last approximately 1 hour.

The 5 train times will be, 09.25, 10.55, 12.25, 13.55, and 15.25 ex-Swanage.

The experience Starts from Swanage Station and we recommend you arrive with at least 20 minutes to spare before your departure time.

3-CIG push-pull slam door train - the Southern Region Class 421 CIG electric multiple unit No. 1498 - crossing Corfe Common with the picturesque ruins of Corfe Castle in the background. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Diesel Driving courses on the Swanage Railway are extremely rare and we are delighted to be able to offer this, very unique experience to the general public.

Swanage Railway marketing manager Martin Payne explained: "British Rail introduced 'push-pull' diesel trains in June, 1967, after the rationalisation of Swanage station - closure of the signal box and the lifting of the platform run-round loop - which meant locomotives could not run round their trains at the terminal station before returning to Corfe Castle and Wareham.

"A 'push-pull' train consists of specially converted coaches pulled by a locomotive in one direction and pushed in the other direction - the driver sitting at the front of the leading coach in a cab from where he can control the pushing locomotive at the other end of the train," added Mr Payne.

Pete Duncalfe - who started as a Swanage Railway volunteer back in 1978 - with the historic 3 CIG unit. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Built by British Rail at York during the early 1970s for the London to Brighton line, South West Trains painted CIG unit No. 1498 in a 1960s British Railways green livery ahead of it working the Lymington branch 'community railway' service. After being withdrawn, the CIG unit was sold to the Epping and Ongar Railway in Essex, and has spent the summer at the Swanage Railway.

We look forward to welcoming you!