If one phrase could typify the arranging of this year's outing it has to be "responding to changing circumstances". The programme of events has changed many times since the outing was first proposed. However up until Monday 11th September it looked as if the programme was finally settled - a main event at the Swanage Railway on Saturday 16th attended by most with subsidiary events in the Bournemouth area attended by a smaller number on the Sunday 17th . The rapidly developing petrol crisis within the UK became apparent by Tuesday and the weekend's programme was looking in great danger of falling apart since everyone was intending to travel by car. A rapid e mail consultation of those attending led to yet more changes - the Sunday events were cancelled as they could only be achieved by car and the Saturday timetable revised to accommodate those now travelling by train. In the end only two had to pull out due to not being able to get there - a remarkable outcome under the circumstances. Additionally and with much regret the first event on Saturday - a privileged visit the Southern Locomotives Ltd Herston works (the main preservation base) had to be cancelled due to the revised timetable.

So what did we do on the day?

A group of 14 of us (including guests and family in addition to SEmG members) spent the afternoon travelling between the Swanage Railway's current northern terminus at the Norden Park and Ride (highly recommended if you are ever going there) and Swanage. Everyone was free to miss out parts of the trips to explore and take photographs. The weather was yet again kind to us, being sunny and warm (we have an unbroken record for good weather on the days of our outings) which was a relief considering the weather in the south of England during the previous 24 hours (torrential rain with flooding in many places). The Swanage generally operates with one engine in steam and we had Brighton built BR standard 4 2-6-4T 80104 hauling a short rake of BR Mk1s in green. We occupied a 16 seater open compartment in a TSO at the Swanage end of the rake. A considerable amount of Southern rolling stock could be seen although the Swanage - being on cramped sites everywhere - is not the easiest place to get photographs without obstructions being in the way.

back row left to right: Ozz Scott, David Mills, John Russsell, Ian Sheldon, Ian Morgan and Dave Harris front row left to right: Chris Gardner, Colin Duff, Graeme Pettit and Luke Morgan.

From our original programme there were two remaining fixed points to the afternoon. Thanks to the Swanage Railway's Operations Manager Paul McDonald we had a conducted tour (which we had arranged in advance) of the Engine (running) shed and the goods shed (carriage and wagon restoration). It cannot be emphasised too highly that we found everyone working on the Swanage Railway - both paid staff and volunteers - welcoming, pleasant and helpful (most unlike some other preserved railways we could mention). This was typified during our visit to the running shed where those working there could not have been more accommodating. Ask Dave Harris - he was given several rusting relics removed and discarded from locos! Unrebuilt Bullied light Pacific 257 Squadron was being prepared for service on Sunday (appropriately because of Battle of Britain day). For those who were prepared to get dirty we were allowed to climb onto the footplate - to optimise volunteer effort the Swanage has a policy of turning out its locos in realistic running appearance - what modellers call "lightly weathered" - rather than in highly polished museum quality finish. Of course the loco shed at Swanage is legendary for being small and on a very restricted site at the edge of a cemetery. In the long term they want to build a new and much larger running shed up by Herston works and convert the original shed to a "heritage" display.

A corroded steam heating pipe off 257 Squadron, part of which was later given to Dave Harris. Graeme Pettit looks on. photograph by Colin Duff

The Swanage also claims to be the only preserved railway with a mechanical carriage washing plant and we were treated to an entertaining impromptu demonstration of it - albeit without a carriage. They have ingeniously adapted bus washing apparatus to work either side of the running lines adjacent to the engine shed. Out of normal service hours portable high pressure water (with chemical additive) jets can be fixed either side of the line and electrically driven rollers wheeled into place along narrow tracks at right angles to the lines. Their class 08 shunter then propels a rake of carriages at slow speed through the washing plant which is then removed before service.

In the goods shed we were shown a MK1 TSO and a 8 plank wagon being restored.

The other fixed point of the afternoon was a short AGM of which a separate report appears elsewhere.

Many took the opportunity to break their journey at some time along the line at Corfe Castle station. There is a newly opened museum to explore there. Unfortunately replication of a classic view of a train ambling into Corfe with the castle looming in the background is currently not possible. There is no public access to the down platform (needed to get the correct angle) and additionally the whole down line through the station is occupied with stored rolling stock - mostly goods wagons. However a not-quite-so-good photograph can be achieved at the northern end of the platform. Anyone who wants to examine different interpretations of SR brown are advised to go to Corfe Castle station....!

The group rush to gain places on the bridge overlooking Swanage station's throat - and not an anorak in sight! photograph by Ian Morgan

More photographs taken by John Russell and Colin Duff.

SEmG members attending:

Colin Duff, Chris Gardner, Dave Harris, David Mills, Ian Morgan, Graeme Pettit, John Russell, Ozz Scott and Ian Sheldon.

Despite the weekend being cut back to a single day and the programme of events being curtailed the day was enjoyed by all.

A few SEmG outing facts:

• 1997 - Bluebell Railway organised by Chris Gardner with Richard Salmon.
• 1998 - ditto, but with a subsidiary event at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway the day before organised by Chris.
• 1999 - Kent and East Sussex Railway organised by Richard Salmon.
• 2000 - Swanage Railway organised by Colin Duff.
• Only Chris Gardner has attended all four, though several have attended more than one.