Welcome to Dorset's premier standard gauge preserved steam railway.

The award-winning Swanage Railway currently operates on the six miles of track between Swanage and Norden, through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, passing the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle.

Throughout this website you will find numerous photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright including our banners and our title photograph showing BR Standard class 4 No. 80078 entering Corfe Castle with a passenger service from Norden on its way to Harman's Cross and Swanage.

The goals of the Swanage Railway Trust (the controlling body of the Swanage Railway) are to restore the rail link between Swanage and Wareham, re-establishing a daily service to connect with main line trains, and to create a comprehensive historical record of steam railways and steam technology in Southern England. This goal was brought a step closer in 2002 when the remaining sections of track were laid at Norden and a temporary link was made to Network Rail tracks. A special service brought the first through train from the main line at Wareham to Swanage on 8th September 2002, and on 10th May 2007 a special train of 4 diesel locomotives from the main line visited Swanage via the new permanent connection. Click here for a full report on this historic event.

You can also find information on two key restoration projects, Pullman Observation Car 14 and the Churchill Project here.

Trains operate over the complete length of the Swanage Railway every weekend and Bank Holiday from mid-February to the end of the year, and every day of the week from April to October. Mid February saw a new Half-Term fun event on the Swanage Railway which will replace the previous Thomas events, with services operating daily on the lline to coincide with schools' half-term holidays.

Why not make use of our new on-line Ticket Booking Service? Please visit the booking pages by clicking on the red "Book tickets now" button at the top and bottom of this page.

For full details of our services, please see the timetable and special events pages, where you can download the 2008 Timetable & Information brochure in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The brochure has full information on the stations and attractions along the Purbeck Line.

Our news pages provide up-to-date news of activities and events on and around the railway, with many other superb colour photographs, so please explore and enjoy this website and come to visit us at Swanage. To return to this page from anywhere in the website, just click on the Swanage Railway logo at the top or bottom of the pages.

Copies of the printed brochures are available from the Swanage Railway at the main address given on the membership and contacts page which can also be used for specific queries not answered in these pages. For brochure requests please include a stamped addressed envelope.

On 2nd March 2008 you can enjoy the Swanage Railway's Mothering Sunday special Dorsetman Lunch Service, and from late March to early November you can also enjoy the pleasure of dining whilst you travel on the Wessex Belle Dining Train. See the dedicated pages for details.

Visit the Swanage Railway Shop page for information on the Mail Order service.

The Swanage Railway is a predominantly volunteer organisation, and depends on volunteers in all departments. If you would like to join us and help to run our railway then please see the volunteers page.

Swanage Railway Trust Annual Grand Draw 2008: Swanage Railway supporters have run an annual draw for many years to raise funds for Trust projects. The 2008 Draw will feature a range of runner up prizes in addition to the £1,000 first prize. Tickets for the 2008 Draw are available from the Swanage Railway Trust by clicking here.

Our popular Santa Specials will again run on the Swanage Railway in December 2008. These events are always popular with children of all ages, and there are several photo reports of the 2006 and 2007 services on our news pages. Full details of the 2008 services will be available during the late summer.

Dining Services Imagine gliding through the beautiful Purbeck countryside on a summer's evening, the sun slowly dipping below a stunning silhouette of Corfe Castle. Wisps of smoke from the engine saunter lazily by while you relax in the comfortable and elegant surroundings, and take a sip of wine while savouring the smells of the delicious food which has just arrived in front of you. You don't have to imagine, you just need to book a seat on one of our superb dining trains to experience an evening like no other.

Whether it's an intimate meal for two, a party or corporate function, Swanage Railway can offer you a wide choice of on train dining options. For details please click here or on the photo alongside to visit our dedicated pages to read more about each of the Wessex Belle and Dorsetman services which make up the Swanage Railway's Dining Experience for 2008.

Please see the How to find the Railway page for a map and links to bus timetables for services from the mainline station at Wareham to the Swanage Railway. Also visit the Swanage Railway Accommodation Index page for details of places to stay in and around Swanage.

Swanage Railway Lottery You can also support the Swanage Railway by taking part in the Great Weather Lottery. For as little as £1 per week, you can support the Swanage Railway Trust and you can also ensure much needed funds are available as our railway grows - every lottery entry helps. You may also win £10,000 per day! Click here or on the logo on the right to visit our new on-line dedicated page, with simple instructions on playing our exciting Weather Lottery game today!

The Swanage Railway Platinum Plus Credit Card