1970s Express music train to mark 40th anniversary

Featured will be music from the decade that saw the Swanage Railway controversially closed, its tracks lifted for scrap before a hard-fought campaign resulted in the line being slowly but steadily re-born – with the first passenger train running over a few hundred yards of hand-laid track in 1979.

Seven-piece band ‘Blind Panic’ will be playing music sets from the period at Swanage, Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle stations as the special train takes a leisurely trip through the Isle of Purbeck on the summer evening of Saturday, 18 June, 2016.

With band members Lucy Wood, Mark Vass, Mike Briggs, Steve Wells and Nick King – together with special guests Tanya Watts and Lisa Briggs – dressed in 1970s outfits for the special evening of music from yesteryear, the public is being invited to come along in their own clothing from 40 years ago.

And a £100 Swanage Railway Gift Card will be the prize awarded to the best couple attending the event in 1970s period dress, as judged by ‘Blind Panic’.

It was in February 1976, that a small band of railway enthusiasts gained access to a boarded-up Swanage station to start rebuilding the Swanage Railway from scratch – a job that would take some 40 years.

Looking back, February, 1976 was the month that ‘Forever and Ever’ by Slik and ‘December ’63 (‘Oh What a Night’) by the Four Seasons were number one hits in the United Kingdom pop charts.

And when Swanage Railway’s first steam locomotive arrived at the reborn Swanage station in September 1976, Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ was top of the pops – and would be for a remarkable six weeks.

With a thirst-quenching bar service onboard, the special 1970s-themed music train departs Swanage station at 7.30pm, and returns to the seaside town where the Swanage Railway was born 40 years ago, around 10.30pm.

Popular hits to be played during the evening will include music from super-band Abba as well as music from the hit 1970s film Grease. Passengers can only board the special music train at Swanage station from 7.10pm where they will be greeted by ‘Blind Panic’ playing 1970s hits.

The special fundraising event is being staged by a dedicated group of Swanage Railway volunteers, which maintains and develops Harman’s Cross station – a facility that has been built from scratch since 1988.

Swanage Railway general manager Matt Green said, “It’s going to be a very evocative and enjoyable event – and a very special one featuring hit music from 1970s that was the background to the decline, death and the remarkable re-birth of the Swanage Railway against all the odds.”

‘Seventies Express’ music train organiser Bob Bunyar explained, “It will be marvellous to hear and dance to the music that was at the top of the charts when the fledgling Swanage Railway was campaigning – and succeeding – to win a toe-hold at the disused Swanage station.”

Tickets are £14.50 for adults, £7.50 for children aged five to 15 inclusive. There are no other concessions or discounts.

‘Seventies Express’ music train tickets are available in advance online at www.swanagerailway.co.uk – or by calling Swanage Railway’s reservations department on 01929 425800.