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Post by swanrail on Jul 1, 2009 22:59:18 GMT 1
Yes, it is rather sad, the Waverley has had a rough time of it this last two seasons.
She has not beeen able to visit Swanage for the last few seasons since Balmoral "wrecked" our pier, but his September she is due back.
Unfortunately the cost of tickets are very high, and in my case, my wife cannot get easy access as she is not wheelchair accessible due to steps on the pier.
Our railways takings are up about 40% this year due to the recession (no one going abroad it seems by the number of visitors down here, the busiest I have ever seen it), but even so, we now have to run one steam train and one diesel in tandem, as the cost of coal is over £150 per ton making it prohibitive for two steamers except in peak season. Our "big" engines (Manston, 257 Squadron and Eddyston) are hardly used as the running costs are very high.
The poor old Waverley of course has no way of reducing costs unlike our railway, it would be aacomplete disaster to see her laid up, but at least we still have the Kingwear Castle running at Chatham.
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Post by swanrail on Feb 13, 2010 1:02:12 GMT 1
Having had an horrendous few months trying to stick on brass bits which got smaller and smaller as the issues went by, to recover my sanity I have spent the last couple of months back on my Waverley. She is a pleasure to work on, being 90% wood not brass, and having to do a lot of research, as my full plans are of the 1947 version, half of my 200 or so photos are of the pre rebuild time and the rest are as she is now (except every season something changes as I found out last September when I went on her). Also, although I took many photos then, there are still a lot of areas not properly photoed, or are hidden from view by such things as the lifeboats. My lastest area of work is on the bridge decks, which include lighting. The model when complete has been promised to the PSPS to be used for publicity reasons during their trips to drum up trade around the company. I have just completed 50 years membership in the Society, being one of the original group that set up the PSPS.  |
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Post by mike on Feb 13, 2010 10:25:53 GMT 1
Hi Don your Waverley sure is a fine looking ship, it will look great when finished
I hope to get down your to the Swanage railway again this year, so maybe we
can meet up again. Sure like to see Waverley.
Hope you and your wife are well.
mike
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Post by swanrail on Feb 14, 2010 0:47:30 GMT 1
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the comments.
You will be very welcome when you next come down, and if you let me know in time wil gladly show you my model of the Waverley.
This year is the 125th. anniversary of the Swanage branch, and we are holding special events on the 17th. to 23rd. May.
Our new station building on the down platform has at long last started, with the foundations currently being installed.
Next week, I shall be moving from model making to building dismantling as we are having our old village hall being demolished with the replacement being behind it. This has given us the chance to scavenge lots of useful bits for our new waiting room for free. (such as guttering, electric sockets, disabled toilet (complete and nearly new) security lights, stone work and lots of timber) so it will be all hands to the pumps!!!! Who said that retirement was quiet and peaceful? ;D ;D ;D
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Post by mike on Feb 14, 2010 11:10:05 GMT 1
Ill look forward to that Don.
mike
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Post by Robert on Feb 14, 2010 11:19:20 GMT 1
Nice to see your Waverley back on the move, Don.
No doubt the PSPS members will display it with proud once completed. She's a Lady.
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Post by swanrail on Mar 19, 2010 0:35:28 GMT 1
Latest update on the build: This last few weeks have been busy with the aft deckhouse:  This shows the skeleton construction "inside out", at the aft end is the drink cabinet with serving hatch.  Looking forward, shows the pursers office (selling tickets) and leaflet display.  Here the deckhouse is trialled on deck, with the tea room walls temp fitted. The white area will be covered over with acetate and finally with mahogany veneer to match left hand side.  View from stern showing top deck being built..  View at forward end, showing more progress on top deck and the engine room skylight fitted.  Here can be seen the two deckhouses. Please ignore my scruffy working conditions, this is my norm I am afraid, it is the end result I concentrate on!!! Note in the above the electric wiring for the various lights. The aft deckhouse is also designed to be lifted off as a complete unit, hence the miniature plug/sockets.  Showing how I use my laptop with one of the several hundred photos I have of the Waverley. It is from these pictures that I take all my detail and measurements, so the model will be as accurate as my inpretation will be , but never 100% of the real thing. |
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Post by Mark on Mar 19, 2010 10:20:12 GMT 1
Nice to see more progress on this model Don. The attention to detail is amazing !
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Post by nm on Mar 20, 2010 14:04:23 GMT 1
Nice to see more progress on this model Don. The attention to detail is amazing ! Temporary thread hijack: Mark, I like how your Lancaster is coming on too, thought I'd remind people here about the link. nm |
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Post by Mark on Mar 21, 2010 15:59:20 GMT 1
Ah, ages since we've had a god hijack. Thanks NM, I'm please with the way it's going. by the way, the web stie is www.lancaster.partworkmodels.co.uk and the fourm at http://www.partworkmodels.co.uk\phpBB3 |
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Post by Mark on Mar 21, 2010 15:59:47 GMT 1
Ah, ages since we've had a good hijack. Thanks NM, I'm please with the way it's going. by the way, the web stie is www.lancaster.partworkmodels.co.uk and the fourm at http://www.partworkmodels.co.uk\phpBB3 |
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Post by Robert on Mar 23, 2010 16:01:04 GMT 1
What, two in a row? You're going a bit too easy on hijacking others' threads, I think. It's absolutely not an administrator's privilege, mind you! Am I right, Chill?  Don, your Waverley Lady is simply "magnifique!" |
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Post by Mark on Mar 23, 2010 22:15:10 GMT 1
Dunno how that happened - I blame the dancing girls !
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Post by Achtung!! on Mar 23, 2010 23:27:25 GMT 1
Oi don't blame the dancing girls....currently in training for the bissies....especially Chelsa - new addtion!
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Post by swanrail on Mar 30, 2010 12:40:44 GMT 1
In a vain attempt to return my thread back to its original subject (says he wistfully!), With Easter coming up, having a short break from my build while family visit. This is the latest of the build:    Note that the vessel has been visited by members of the public who are keen to get sailing!!  |
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