History to be made by Swanage Railway as public train forges renewed links for the first time since 1972

The volunteer-led Swanage Railway plans to run its first diesel-hauled passenger train into Wareham station on 13 June fulfilling a long-held aim by determined railway campaigners dating back to 1972 – the year when the Purbeck branch line was controversially closed and demolished by British Rail.

The special first train will mark the start of a two-year trial public service using diesel trains operating on 60 selected days during this summer – with four trains a day in each direction between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage.

Visitors from London, and stations across the country, will be able to visit Swanage and Corfe Castle by train while the service will enable tourists in campsites around Wareham to visit Corfe Castle and Swanage by rail.

Swanage Railway Company chairman Trevor Parsons said: “This is the culmination of a far-sighted investment by our stakeholders of £5.5 million to re-connect Swanage and Corfe Castle with the main line at Wareham. We’re working very closely with our partners at Network Rail and South West Trains to finalise arrangements for what is a complex operation.

“The trial public service will be historic because it has been the Swanage Railway’s ambition to return passenger trains to Wareham for more than 40 years – with several generations of volunteers working to achieve this,” added the Swanage Railway volunteer signalman and train guard.

Chairman of Swanage Railway Trust, Gavin Johns explained, “This is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work by our dedicated volunteers and the support of our valued stakeholders. It shows just what can be achieved thanks to a strong vision, determination and working together in partnership.”

We thanked Purbeck Community Rail Partnership, the Government’s Coastal Communities Fun, Purbeck District Council, Dorset County Council, Network Rail, South West Trains and the Department for Transport for their help in reaching this historic milestone for Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck. A legacy donation from BP enabled Swanage Railway to build a new level crossing west of Norden Station.

The trial public service of four return trains a day between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays until Sunday, 3 September, 2017, inclusive.

On Tuesday, 13 June the first public train will be the 2.23pm from Swanage that will form the 3.15pm train from Wareham. The last train of the day will be the 4.23pm from Swanage and the 5.15pm from Wareham.

The first two trains from Swanage to Wareham and return on that day will be for Swanage Railway guests, stakeholders, volunteers, staff and supporters.

Main line train operator West Coast Railways is supplying two diesel locomotives and train crews to operate the Swanage Railway’s trial train service between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Wareham on 60 selected days during the summer.

Tickets will be £15 for an adult or senior citizen day-return between Swanage and Wareham and £9 for an adult or senior citizen single. Children, aged 5 to 15, will be £10 for a return and £6 for a single. Swanage Railway Purbeck resident’s discount card holders will receive a 33 per cent discount while National Railcards will not be accepted.

The Swanage Railway’s Project Wareham director Mark Woolley said: “Our two 1960s-built heritage diesel trains, which together make up four carriages, will be used for the second year of the trial service to Wareham.

“They are being refurbished and upgraded to main line standards which is challenging and specialist work because of the age of the heritage diesel units, their design as well as modern health and safety standards,” added Mr Woolley, a dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer since the mid-1980s.