Swanage Railway

Swanage station is decorated with railway memorabilia.

Swanage station

A train on the Swanage Railway viewed from Corfe Castle

The Swanage Railway is a six-mile (10 km) long heritage railway in the Purbeck district of Dorset, England. The railway follows the route of the Purbeck branch line between Norden railway station, Corfe Castle railway station, Harman's Cross railway station, Herston Halt railway station and Swanage. The line was re−connected to the mainline at Wareham, Dorset along a stretch of the branch line that had previously only remained open to freight traffic until 2005. Trains operate on the Swanage Railway between Swanage and Norden Park & Ride every weekend and Bank Holiday from mid-February to the end of the year, and every day of the week from April to October; with Santa Special services in December. The link between the Swanage Railway and the main line at Wareham has been used used for materials deliveries, special excursions, locomotive and stock movements only— work is continuing to provide the infrastructure necessary to enable regular services via Wareham to be implemented. In April 2009 the line reopened to its first through traffic from London with occasional special services.^[1]

History

After several false starts, the branch was built by the locally promoted Swanage Railway Company. It was opened in 1885 and operated from the start by the London and South Western Railway Company. Subsequently the line became part of the Southern Railway and latterly the Southern Region of British Railways. In the 1950s that the Branchline Committee identified this branch line as a possible candidate for closure. At the time such a plan was unrealistic for a branch line which carried so much seasonal holiday traffic. The closure proposal met with a great deal of opposition and was shelved. The line was not mentioned in Beeching's 1963 report 'The Reshaping of British Railways'. It is possible that it was omitted either due to political considerations or the fact that the existing roads in the area were unable to take the additional traffic which would result from the line's closure.

In the mid 1960s a programme of third rail electrification took place on the main line running from Waterloo, Basingstoke, Southampton to Bournemouth in preparation for withdrawal of steam. As the third rail did not extend west of Branksome the Swanage line was operated until its closure using a British Rail Class 205 DEMU. Given that the then government of the day, had refused to allow BR to purchase more DEMUs in the mid 1960s, this led to problems of trying to run existing services with a significantly reduced level of motive power available following the total withdrawal of steam in 1967. Thus a number of lines had to close because there were not enough DEMUs to go around.

In May 1967 the Network for Development Plans were issued by Barbara Castle MP, the then Labour Minister of Transport following a study. Where lines were at the remunerative end of the scale, such as the main trunk routes and some secondary lines, these would be developed. Lines that failed to meet the financial criterion, but served a social need were to be retained and subsidised under the 1968 Transport Act. The problem would be for lines that were not in these categories which could be candidates for closure as they did not form part of the basic railway network. The Swanage line was one of these. It was a line that may well have carried considerable traffic, and perhaps made a small profit, but it did not meet the Government's social, economic and commercial criteria for retention.

It was in the later part of 1967 that British Railways issued a notice that the Swanage line was to be closed by September 1968. However, due in part to the level of opposition to the closure, and also by the fact that British Railways had underestimated the logistical problems in providing a replacement bus service during the summer months owing to higher traffic levels, the line remained open. Opposition from the various pressure groups was so vociferous that a public enquiry was called for. Subsequently a Department of the Environment Inspector, after hearing the evidence that a replacement bus service would be unable to handle the traffic in the summer months, ruled that the line should remain open. His decision was later overturned by the Secretary of State for the Environment. Up to this time it is possible that the line may have been in receipt of a subsidy under the terms of the 1968 Transport Act whilst all the issues concerning the pending closure of the line was discussed.

The line was closed in January 1972. In May 1972, the Swanage Railway Society with formed with the objective of restoring an all-the-year-round community railway service linking to the main line at Wareham which would be 'subsidised' by the operation of steam-hauled heritage trains during the holidays. BR responded by hiring contractors to lift the track between Swanage and Furzebrook sidings during the summer of 1972; massive protests were orchestrated by the Society and an agreement between the Society and BR followed leading to all the ballast being left in situ plus an extra half a mile of track at Furzebrook. The track from Furzebrook to the main line junction at Worgret remained in use for ball clay traffic, later also serving the oilfield at Wytch Farm. BR had intended to sell the Swanage Station site to a property developer, but after the intervention of the Evelyn King, the MP for South Dorset, at the Society's request, offered it to Swanage Town Council (STC).

At first, neither the Dorset County Council (DCC), nor the STC backed the Society's plans to restore the railway. DCC planned to build a by-pass for Corfe Castle on the railway land, while STC actually started to demolish Swanage Station. To break the impasse, the Railway Society formed two daughter organisations: the Swanage and Wareham Railway Group – composed of local residents prepared to lobby the local authorities and the Southern Steam Group – to collect historic railway rolling stock and establish a museum of steam and railway technology. After many interventions by local residents, in 1975, the STC finally granted the Society limited facilities on the Swanage Station Site. In 1975 DCC acquired the railway land between the end of the line at Furzebrook and Northbrook Road bridge, Swanage and to 'give further consideration' to routes for a Corfe By-pass. The Railway Society piloted a successful application by the Southern Steam Group to the Charity Commissioners for charitable status and subsequently both the Society and the residents group joined the new Southern Steam Trust.

In 1979 a short line opened, the length of King George's playing fields. This was extended first to Herston Halt and then to Harman's Cross in 1988. Neither Herston Halt nor Harman's Cross had been stations previously. In 1995 the railway reopened from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Norden Park and Ride, another post BR station. The opening of Corfe Castle was delayed until Norden was ready as Dorset County Council had concerns about the effects of traffic on Corfe's narrow main street (the A351 road between Wareham and Swanage).

On 3 January 2002 the track was temporarily joined with the Furzebrook freight line at Motala and the Purbeck branch line was once again complete, thirty years to the day after it was closed. On 8 September 2002, a brand new Virgin Trains Class 220 "Voyager" diesel multiple unit, no. 220018, became the first mainline train to use the new track when it made a special journey for a ceremony at Swanage where it was named Dorset Voyager and began its first passenger journey. Click here to read the illustrated Press Release on this historic journey. Following this historic event, the efforts of the Swanage Railway's volunteers were redoubled working with Network Rail to replace the temporary connection with a permanent ground frame and catch-point arrangement at Motala.

On 10 May 2007 history was made when the Swanage Railway’s permanent connection with Network Rail was used for the first time – four ex-BR diesel locomotives running from Eastleigh down to Swanage to participate in the Purbeck Line’s largest ever diesel gala and beer festival in May 2007. Also making the trip—the first such working since the summer of 1972 when the tracks to Corfe Castle and Swanage were lifted—was a preserved four-carriage electric 4VEP British Rail Class 423 unit provided by South West Trains. Click here to read the illustrated Press Release on this historic journey.

The link was again used in July 2007 when a steam locomotive for the Swanage Railway's 40th Anniversay of the End of Southern Steam special event travelled to Swanage via the main line at Wareham.

The first public passenger service between Wareham and Swanage since 1972 was from London Victoria to Swanage, via Wareham on 1 April 2009.

It should be noted that the Swanage Railway's works at Herston, on the outskirts of Swanage, are not physically connected to the running line. Movements of locomotives for overhaul are carried out by road transporter as the Swanage Railway has been unable to reach agreement with local landowners to build a branch connection into Herston Works.

v • d • e Swanage Railway

Legend To Weymouth Wareham To Bournemouth Former Exchange Siding Furzebrook Oil Terminal Furzebrook Railway Relaid Connection A351 Norden Park and Ride Former Exchange Siding Eldon Siding To Goathorn To Norden Works Studland road (B3351) Viaduct Sandy Hill Lane Corfe Castle A351 Harman's Cross A351 Washpond Lane Herston Halt Swanage Railway Works Former Swanage Gas Works A351 Victoria Avenue Swanage Former stone tramway

Aims of Swanage Railway

• The restoration of the rail link between Swanage and Wareham and the re-establishment of a daily service to connect with main line trains.
• The creation of a comprehensive historical record of steam railways and steam technology in Southern England.

Norden - Wareham restoration

There are currently no regular timetabled trains between Swanage and Wareham, as the present intensive rail service from Swanage operates only as far as Norden, via Harman's Cross and Corfe Castle.

The Swanage Railway is continuing to work with Network Rail and the local authorities to identify suitable rolling stock and the infrastructure needed to enable regular services via Wareham to be implemented in the future.

Click here for an illustrated Press Statement on the Swanage Railway's work with Network Rail on re-establishing the permanent connection between Norden and Wareham.

Public Reopening

Improvements by Swanage Railway to the track between Norden and Wareham have continued, and together with the permanent ground frame arrangements at Motala have allowed the planning and operation of special railtour services for the first time since 1972.

The first public passenger service between Wareham and Swanage since 1972 was "The Purbeck Pioneer", a 12-coach diesel-hauled railtour from London Victoria to Swanage, via Wareham on 1 April 2009^[2]. Due to huge demand for tickets, the diesel-hauled service was repeated on 2 April 2009.

The first public passenger carrying steam service between Wareham and Swanage since 1967 was "The Dorset Coast Express" from London Victoria station on Saturday 2 May 2009^[3], which was hauled by a Southern Railway Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific locomotive number 34067 Tangmere. The first Swanage to Wareham steam service since 1967 was "The Royal Wessex" on Monday 4 May 2009^[4], again hauled by number 34067 Tangmere.

Incidents

• 18 June 2007 – a steam train on the Swanage Railway collided with a coach at Quarr Crossing, near Harman's Cross. The coach driver was believed to be the only person on board the coach, and was seriously injured.^[5]

• 2005 – A tank locomotive dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine during one of the railway's Day out with Thomas events derailed at Norden while running around its train and suffered minor damages. Later on in the week, the same engine lost its chimmney on its way to the Flour Mill Engine Workshops.^{[citation needed]}

Locomotives

Steam Locomotives

Diesel Locomotives and DMUs

Steam loco 80078 pulls into Corfe Castle station. The castle is visible in the background

Stations

• Swanage
• Herston Halt (trains stop only on request)
• Harman's Cross
• Corfe Castle
• Norden Park & Ride (Park & Ride for Corfe Castle and Swanage)

Southern Catering Project Group

The Southern Catering Project Group has a number of railway wagons stored on the Swanage Railway.

Swanage Railway Santa Special Services

Each year during December the Swanage Railway runs Santa Special services as a seasonal attraction.

The revenues derived from Santa Special services make an important contribution to the finances of the Swanage Railway as the services attract large numbers of families during the off-peak winter period.

References

• Railways of Dorset J.H.Lucking Railway Correspondence and Travel Society 1968 (No ISBN)
• The Great Railway Conspiracy D.Henshaw Leading Edge 1994 ISBN 0-948135-30-1
• Beeching Champion of the Railway? R.Hardy Ian Allen 1989 ISBN 0-7110-1855-3
• The Railways of Purbeck R.W. Kidner The Oakwood Press 1973 (reprinted 1979, reprinted & enlarged 1988) ISBN 0 85361 372 9
• The Swanage Branch Then and Now Andrew P.M. Wright Ian Allan 1992 ISBN 0-7110-2046-9 (Amazon)
• Branch Line to Swanage revised edition to 1992 Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith Middleton Press 1992 ISBN 0-906520-33-9

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Swanage Railway

Official Swanage Railway links

• Swanage Railway website
• Swanage Railway Trust website
• Swanage Railway Santa Special services
• Press Statement on the first use of the new permanent link with Network Rail at Wareham on 10th May 2007
• Press Statement on the First Railtour from London to Swanage announced for 1st April 2009

Other Swanage Railway links

• Photographs of the Swanage Railway,An unofficial Swanage Railway web site supporting Swanage Railway, with photographs mainly taken by working volunteers on the line.
• Photographs of the Swanage Railway
• Pictures of the Swanage Railway at Corfe Castle
• HeritageRail.co.uk - Swanage Railway Photographs
• YouTube - Swanage Railway Videos
• Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum for Purbecks Narrow Gauge Railways

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Coordinates: 50°36′49″N 1°58′56″W / 50.61353°N 1.98235°W / 50.61353; -1.98235