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Horn blown when first train departed Swanage in 1885 sounded at 140th anniversary commemoration
An historic Victorian brass horn reputed to have been blown to mark the departure of the first passenger train from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Wareham in May, 1885, has been sounded again at a 140th anniversary commemoration at Swanage station.
Andrew P.M. Wright
May 19


Tribute to Bill Trite - former long-time Swanage Railway volunteer trustee and director
Tributes are being paid to former long-time dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer trustee and director Bill Trite who has died unexpectedly at the age of 77.
Andrew P.M. Wright
May 16


Armed Forces Covenant signed on 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
An Armed Forces Covenant has been signed by representatives from the Swanage Railway, Swanage Town Council and the Royal Corps of Signals at Blandford Forum in Dorset on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V.E.) Day.
Andrew P.M. Wright
May 14


Volunteers to staff recruitment stand at Waterloo station to mark Rail 200 anniversary
Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are to staff an information and recruitment stand marking the Rail 200 anniversary on the concourse at Waterloo station in London - thanks to help from Network Rail and South Western Railway.
Andrew P.M. Wright
May 12


Train named after British Rail manager who opened Swanage railway station to star in Diesel Gala
An historic train named after a highly respected former British Rail Southern Region general manager who officially opened a new station on the Swanage Railway in the 1980s is to star in the heritage line’s annual nostalgic Diesel Gala and Beer Festival - along with eight classic 1960s diesel locomotives.
Andrew P.M. Wright
May 3


Horn blown when first train left Swanage in 1885 to be sounded on 140th anniversary
An historic Victorian brass horn reputed to have been blown to mark the departure of the first passenger train from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Wareham in May, 1885, is to be sounded again in a 140th anniversary ceremony at Swanage station.
Andrew P.M. Wright
Apr 27


Victorian railway bridge repaired after being damaged in vehicle strike
A Victorian railway bridge carrying a little used part of the Swanage Railway has been repaired by specialist contractors after being damaged in a vehicle strike – work that took place thanks to a five-day road closure permitted by Dorset Council.
Andrew P.M. Wright
Apr 16


History to be made with six locomotives from 1890s to 1950s in Spring Steam Gala
History will be made when a 1920s Great Western Railway ‘Hall’ class main line express locomotive visits the Swanage Railway for the first time as part of a six-engine passenger and freight train Spring Steam Gala taking place from Friday, 28 March, to Sunday, 30 March, 2025, inclusive.
Andrew P.M. Wright
Mar 11


First Chief Executive appointed to future proof the Swanage Railway for generations to come
Progressive Swanage Railway volunteers have appointed their first chief executive with the aim of developing and future proofing the Isle of Purbeck heritage line for generations to come.
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jan 24


Community Weekend to give public opportunity to go behind the scenes on the Swanage Railway
Devoted Swanage Railway volunteers are to stage a fascinating two-day Community Weekend giving the public the opportunity to go behind the s
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jan 21


Donation appeal so 1960s British Rail ‘push-pull’ train can run at Swanage for first time since 1971
Dedicated volunteers have launched an appeal to raise £20,000 to complete the restoration of an historic TC carriage that will enable a 1960
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jan 15


BR Swanage branch driver drives train from Swanage on 53rd anniversary of last BR trains
A man who drove diesel trains to Swanage in the dying years of the Purbeck branch line - in the late 1960s and early 1970s - has driven a st
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jan 3


Victorian steam locomotive ‘Whistles Off’ at start of national Railway 200 celebrations
New Year’s Day saw dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers take part in a national ‘whistle off’ at the start of Railway 200 celebrations marki
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jan 1


Four historic locomotives from 1890s to 1960s to star in nostalgic ‘Winter Warm Up’ weekend
An evocative ‘Winter Warm Up’ weekend featuring four historic locomotives, spanning the period from the 1890s to the 1960s, is to bring stea
Andrew P.M. Wright
Dec 29, 2024


Victorian steam locomotive to ‘Whistle Off’ marking start of national 'Railway 200' celebrations
New Year’s Day will see dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers take part in a national ‘whistle off’ at the start of Railway 200 celebrations
Andrew P.M. Wright
Dec 26, 2024


Harman's Cross station volunteers donate surplus wood to Swanage community carpentry classes
Dedicated and caring volunteers who maintain the Swanage Railway’s award-winning heritage station at Harman’s Cross – which has been built f
Andrew P.M. Wright
Oct 28, 2024


Music concert in memory of young Swanage man who died of cancer to raise money for charities
A poignant and uplifting concert of live music and song by the sea in Swanage in memory of a young man who died of cancer is to raise...
Andrew P.M. Wright
Aug 19, 2024


‘Sunset Shuttle’ evening heritage diesel train service connects Swanage, Harman's Cross & Corfe Castle
A summer holidays ‘Sunset Shuttle’ evening heritage diesel train service connecting Swanage, Herston Halt, Harman’s Cross and Corfe...
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jul 30, 2024


‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally to take place next to Norden station near Corfe Castle
Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are to stage a nostalgic fund-raising steam rally in a field next to Norden station near the village...
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jun 17, 2024


Historic eight steam locomotive ‘Strictly Bulleid II’ gala attracts more than 4,700 people
An historic gala gathering featuring eight impressive 1940s Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives has attracted more than 4,700 passengers in...
Andrew P.M. Wright
Jun 12, 2024
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