Swanage Railway's Special Event Dates

Swanage Railway runs regular events as well as our normal scheduled services. These often run to a special timetable and with special booking arrangements, and are indicated by a red coloured date on our timetables. Check back here for the latest information prior to all our sepecial events, or call 01929 425800 for more information.

Special Event Fares for Major Events:

Individual Special Events are likely to have their own fare structure with 1-day, 2-day and 3-day tickets available if appropriate.

Please check the individual Special Event information page prior to the event, or directly with the Booking Office.

Travel during Swanage Railway Special Events

Revised fares may be available giving access to certain Special Events. Please check the individual Special Event information page prior to the event, or directly with the Booking Office.

Normal fares for point to point travel will also be available during Special Events (with the exception of Santa Specials), although a Special Event or 1, 2 or 3-day Rover Ticket will be required for access to Special Event areas outside normal travel.

Norden Park & Ride station (signposted off the A351) is an ideal place to park the car for the journey into Swanage on the Swanage Railway.

FUTURE CONFIRMED SPECIAL EVENT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
(see below for more detail on individual events)

The Swanage Railway's confirmed special event dates for 2012 are as follows:
• Railway at Work Weekend - 24th & 25th March 2012
• Easter Specials - 6th to 9th April 2012
• Diesel Gala - 11th to 13th May 2012
• Grand Steam Gala & Classic Transport Rally - 7th to 9th September 2012
• Family Fun Week - 27th October to 4th November 2012
• Santa Specials - 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December 2012

Further details will be added to this page once confirmed.

Please note: Trains will NOT be running into Swanage during Half Term February Week due to track maintenance at Swanage. However, our Winter Shuttle will run all week between Norden and Corfe with low adult fares at only: £1 adult single, £2 adult return, and children travel free. Dogs £1 single. All Winter Shuttle services are operated by a heritage diesel unit. Parking charges apply at Norden Park & Ride.

Sunday March 18th 2012 - Mothering Sunday Luncheon Dining

Treat your mother to something very special this Mothering Sunday. Our special Wessex Belle steam service departs from Swanage station and serves a superb lunch while travelling through the splendid Purbeck countryside. Your main course will be served at your table while you pass the majestic ruins of Corfe Castle, surely one of the best views from a dining table anywhere.

Booking details and menu here.

Your chance to see behind the scenes of a working steam railway. Meet staff and volunteers and learn how we run the railway. This event incorporates the Swanage Railway Trust's annual members' weekend. Click here to visit our information page with a downloadable poster for the event.

Enjoy an Easter railway journey behind one of our magnificent restored steam locomotives and enjoy the early Spring scenery around Corfe Castle during a relaxing journey between Swanage and Norden.

Normal fares apply.

More information on this year's event - including details of confirmed locomotives - is now available here.

Illustrated news items on our previous events are available here

Our annual Grand Steam Gala takes place from Friday 9th to Sunday 7th September 2012.

There will be an intensive timetable with visiting steam locomotives running alongside our Swanage-based locomotives in intesive all-steam action from Friday to Sunday

Alongside the Grand Steam Gala is a Vintage Transport Rally at Harmans Cross. This runs for three days with a display of vintage road transport as well as evening entertainment, bar and refreshments.

Click here to visit a photo report page on a previous event.

Half Term Week 27th October to 4th November 2012

A week of fun on and around the railway. with steam trains and entertainment.

Attractions include a regular steam and diesel train services, exciting brake van rides at Swanage, colourful face painting at Corfe Castle and on-train entertainment.

Santa Specials December 2012

The Swanage Railway's Santa Specials Service will run on 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th. December 2012.

Every child receives a present from Santa during the hour-long train journey and adults receive a hot mince pie and seasonal drink. Advanced booking for Santa Specials is essential. Children under 2 go free.

Offering Christmas Fun for the whole family at the Swanage Railway with Santa in Dorset, you can see Santa at the Swanage Railway when he visits Dorset this Christmas.

26th December 2012 to 1st January 2013 - Christmas & New Year Trains

Enjoy an after-Christmas train ride with a mince pie and sherry from the on-train buffet.

This period with no trains in operation will allow our team of dedicated volunteers the opportunity to carry out major engineering work around the Swanage Railway.

Advance Diary Entries for 2013 Events

10th - 12th May 2013 - Swanage Railway's Diesel Gala & Beer Festival 2013

Diesel action all weekend with visiting main line locomotives plus our resident diesel fleet. As in previous years, the Dorset Beer Festival is planned to be held over the same weekend, with BBQ, and Live Music among the planned attractions.

Illustrated news items on our previous events are available here