NEWS FEED
A new £500,000 level crossing at Norden Gates was used for the first time on 11 June when two late-1960s-built Class 50 British Rail express heritage diesel locomotives hauled a train containing some 450 passengers from Derby to Swanage.
Half a mile north of Corfe Castle, the newly commissioned Norden Gates level crossing has taken dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers four years and more than 3,000 hours of design, building and testing work to bring to fruition. Norden Gates allows trains to cross a busy and important road giving access to the Wytch Farm on-shore oilfield as well as Purbeck District Council’s car park next to Norden station.
The crossing was provided thanks to the ‘legacy’ support of the Wytch Farm oil field’s previous and current operators – it will enable regular passenger trains to run from Swanage and Corfe Castle to the main line at Wareham.
Project Wareham director Mark Woolley said: “It was wonderful and very exciting to see the long excursion train from the Midlands use our new level crossing at Norden Gates on its way down to Corfe Castle and Swanage.”
Mark Woolley added, “The safety of the public, and our passengers, is our paramount concern. The new full-barrier level crossing will enable regular passenger trains to run from Swanage and Corfe Castle to the Wareham for the first time since 1972.
“We are grateful to former Wytch Farm oil field operator British Petroleum (BP) for promising the ‘legacy’ payment of £500,000, to the current operator Perenco for delivering the payment and to Dorset County Council for administrating the process which has enabled the new Norden Gates level crossing to be built.
“A lot of detailed work has gone into designing, building and installing the signal box and signalling system at Norden Gates, together with its electrical operation and safety systems, and I thank everyone who has been involved.
“I also pay tribute to long-time Swanage Railway volunteer Frank Roberts, the scheme’s project manager, who contributed a huge amount of time and commitment into making Norden Gates level crossing a successful reality.
“Thank also go to the small team of experienced technical testers – who normally work on level crossings across the national railway network – for their meticulous work on this challenging, complex and critical project,” added Mark, a dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer for more than 30 years.
Approved by the Government’s Department for Transport, the level crossing’s computer-controlled safety systems, crossing barriers and road user warning systems were designed and installed by Schweizer Electronic of Switzerland.
The 12-carriage Derby excursion train was hauled by late 1960s-built heritage Class 50 locomotives No 50 007 ‘Hercules’ and No 50 050 ‘Fearless’.
