photo by Andrew P.M. Wright
Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are celebrating the heritage line carrying a record-breaking 217,080 passengers during 2015 – more than the combined populations of Bournemouth, Wimborne and Bridport.
By the end of 2015, more than 2,400 Swanage Railway steam and diesel-hauled passenger trains had run a total of more than 28,000 miles which is further than travelling around the entire circumference of the Earth.
All profits from running the steam and diesel trains are ploughed back into the Swanage Railway for its development and continuous improvement.
Swanage Railway Company chairman and Swanage Railway train guard and signalman volunteer Trevor Parsons said: “Carrying 217,080 passengers during 2015 represents a lot of hard work by the people who run the trains, staff the stations and maintain the line and infrastructure required to keep trains running – day in and day out – for the pleasure of the public.
“Our volunteers and small team of paid staff have worked very hard throughout 2015 to produce such a fantastic result. Everyone is elated.
“While very enjoyable and fulfilling, it takes a great deal of enthusiasm and commitment on the part of many people to run our steam and diesel train services throughout the year.
Swanage Railway general manager Matt Green explained: “The Swanage Railway carrying a record-breaking total of 217,080 passengers during 2015 has been a truly amazing performance bearing in mind the wet weather during the summer.
In 2014, the Swanage Railway carried a total of 216,267 passengers.
For an informal chat – and to find out more – potential Swanage Railway volunteers should contact Swanage Railway volunteer co-ordinator Mike Whitwam on 01929 475212 or email ‘volunteer@swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk’
