News | swanagerailwaytrust

Latest News

This page provides a list of all news items published on the Swanage Railway Trust web site. The most recent story story is shown first. Each story is assigned to a particular category - for example. Heritage Coaches. The category is shown as a link in the footer of each story. Clicking on that link will show all stories in the same category.

News items are also split into two further categories as described below. Selecting either of these categories gives access to older items than are shown on this page.

General News

News of general interest about the Trust, appeals and major announcements.

Around the Railway

News of projects, volunteer activities and daily happenings around the railway.

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 194 min read

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 163 min read

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 143 min read

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 123 min read

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 33 min read

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 274 min read

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 163 min read

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 114 min read

New website launched for Swanage Railway visitors

Launched at the railway's 2025 Community Weekend, a new website for Swanage Railway visitors and passengers guides them through their...

Derek Pattenson

Feb 211 min read

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.

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 243 min read