Swanage embraces modern technology for diesel gala information

THE SWANAGE Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival in early May featured newly-installed permanent digital information screens, providing realtime train information for visitors. The screens have been installed in conjunction with Realtime Trains, using its heritage system that was originally launched in 2014 and has been developed by the company over recent years. Realtime Trains has gained a growing reputation over the last few years by enthusiasts for its train scheduling software that covers most workings across the main line rail network.

The real-time information was first trialled at Swanage in 2017. It features GPS trackers wired into the rolling stock to monitor the services and update passenger information should services be running on time or be delayed for any reason.

It is configured using Realtime Trains scheduling and diagramming tools, but is a standalone system developed in conjunction with the Swanage Railway to suit its requirements.

The information screens have been previously installed on the railway for the diesel event, but these are now a permanent installation on the majority of Swanage Railway stations – at Swanage, Harmans Cross, Corfe Castle, and Norden. The screens have not been fitted at Herston Halt. The initiative has been funded with a Coronavirus Recovery Grant.

At Swanage, three screens have been sympathetically installed on a Southern Railway-style information board to help them blend into the heritage surroundings.

Of the three boards, one serves as a departure board, featuring a digital graphic of the locomotives in use, with departure times from the station alongside the relevant locomotive graphic.

The middle screen is linked to the Realtime Trains GPS information to list the departures throughout the day in time order, stating whether any delays are being experienced, along with last train information.

The third screen acts as a digital poster board to display changing events and information for the railway itself.

The system also allows for automatic station announcements to be made about train arrivals, which is a requirement for when Swanage Railway services operate onto the national network at Wareham – although the proposed Wareham trains have now been delayed until next year.

The modern technology may not be welcomed by all enthusiasts, but it marks a noticeable step change in the quality of information presentation for visitors.

With some heritage railway special events sometimes suffering from late running, the addition of realtime information is a positive development, with the screens presenting the data in an attractive and professional manner.

The screens are presented to a high professional standard, and the Swanage Railway has clearly understood the need to embrace modern technology.

This partnership with Realtime Trains is something that other heritage lines may decide to follow in the future.

Swanage Railway/dan Bennett The new digital information screens installed at Swanage station on the Swanage Railway, in conjunction with Tom Cairns, from Realtime Trains. The left-hand board displays the locomotives in use on the day and their departure times. The middle board lists the next train information, along with future departures from the station and last train details. The right-hand board acts as a digital poster screen for the railway. As can be seen in this image, the screens have been sympathetically installed onto a Southern Railway backboard to blend in with the more traditional aspects of the railway.