Swanage Railway News Gallery

Here are our illustrated news pages each devoted to a particular aspect of recent activity on the Swanage Railway.

The pages include Press Releases and photographs from Andrew P.M. Wright, the Swanage Railway Press Officer.

All photographs used on these pages are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright or the Swanage Railway unless otherwise acknowledged.

If you would like to join our E-Newsletter to be the first to know details of forthcoming events, please sign up here on our new Booking Page.

This page contains news items from the most recent activities on the Swanage Railway. For older news items visit the Swanage Railway News Archive page by clicking here.

You may also like to see our selection of Swanage Railway YouTube videos, which include extracts from several of our popular full-length DVDs which are available from the Swanage Railway Shop.

Project Wareham Appeal information here.

  A special commemorative beer has been launched at the 25th anniversary Push-Pull Day to mark the start of the three-day Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival which runs from Friday 10 through to Sunday 12 May, 2013, inclusive. Full details here.
(10 photos) - 10/05/13

  The second batch of classic main line locomotives has arrived on the Swanage Railway ahead of the three-day Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival which runs from Friday 10 through to Sunday 12 May, 2013, inclusive. Full details here.
(30 photos) - 09/05/13

  An iconic 1960s express locomotive named after a Scottish army regiment is to carry a poignant wreath during the Swanage Railway's three-day Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival - in memory of three soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Full details here.
(7 photos) - 08/05/13

  The first batch of classic main line locomotives has arrived on the Swanage Railway ahead of the three-day Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival which runs from Friday 10 through to Sunday 12 May, 2013, inclusive. Full details here.
(30 photos) - 04/05/13

  South West Trains sponsors special day of nostalgia marking the 25th anniversary of the end of 'push-pull' trains between Bournemouth and Weymouth - Thursday, 9 May, 2013 Full details here.
(10 photos) - 01/05/13

  Gerry Brown and the Mission Hall Jazz Band is to play on a special evening steam train through the Isle of Purbeck on Saturday, 22 June, 2013. Full details here.
(6 photos) - 24/04/13

  Model railway manufacturer Bachmann is to have a sales stand during the Swanage Railway's popular three-day Diesel Gala. Full details here.
(20 photos) - 18/04/13

  The Swanage Railway Diesel Gala's associated Dorset Beer Festival is to be staged at the popular Bankes Arms pub in the centre of Corfe Castle - offering grandstand views of passing trains and the historic castle ruins. Friday to Sunday, 10 to 12 May, 2013, inclusive. Full details here.
(20 photos) - 17/04/13

  The historic and pioneering passenger train from Bournemouth to Corfe Castle and Swanage has prompted memories of the last British Rail train to the Purbeck resort 41 years before - and a foiled hold-up attempt at an isolated country crossing. Full details here.
(120 photos) - 13/04/13

  The chairman of the Swanage Railway's operating company has paid tribute to the "hard work and dedication of many people over the past years" which enabled a historic and pioneering passenger train to run from Bournemouth to Corfe Castle and Swanage. Full details here.
(80 photos) - 13/04/13

  South West Trains runs a one-off passenger train from Bournemouth to Corfe Castle and Swanage via Poole and Wareham on 26th March 2013. Full details here.
(40 photos) - 02/04/13

  A chance to drive a range of diesel locomotives on the award-winning Swanage Railway - before, during and after our highly popular annual Diesel Gala in early May. Full details here.
(15 photos) - 25/03/13

  The halcyon days of 'push-pull' slam door diesel trains between Bournemouth, Poole, Wareham, Dorchester and Weymouth are to be re-created on the relaid Swanage Railway - but for one evocative and action-packed day only on Thursday, 9 May 2013. Full details here.
(30 photos) - 13/03/13

  A founder member of the Swanage Railway has paid a heart-felt tribute to the veteran signalman who inspired him, as a child back in the mid-1960s, to become a train driver - placing a poignant funeral wreath on the front of his steam locomotive. Full details here.
(30 photos) - 27/02/13

  The acceptance letter for a breakthrough £1.47 million Government grant enabling the re-introduction of a regular train service from Swanage and Corfe Castle to the main line at Wareham in two years time has been formally signed. Full details here.
(55 photos) - 21/02/13

  The award-winning Swanage Railway has re-opened for business after its six-week winter maintenance shutdown - with a total of 263 operating days until the last 'Santa Special' on Christmas Eve 2013. Full details here.
(55 photos) - 21/02/13

  Twelve locomotives will be dramatically bursting into life when the Swanage Railway stages its annual Diesel Gala between Friday 10th and Sunday 12th May 2013. Full details here.
(10 photos) - 17/02/13

  Elated Swanage Railway volunteers are celebrating after winning a £1.47 million Government grant to re-introduce a regular train service from Swanage and Corfe Castle to the main line at Wareham - a long-held ambition since British Rail controversially axed the service back in 1972. Full details here.
(15 photos) - 11/02/13

  Our dedicated volunteers are embarking on an ambitious £150,000 refurbishment of Swanage station's 1930s canopy - 40 years after it came close to being demolished and replaced by a supermarket, hotel, public house and car park. Full details here.
(10 photos) - 28/01/13

  The determined campaigner who formed a pressure group preventing a by-pass from being built on the railway trackbed through Corfe Castle in the 1970s and 1980s has died at the age of 94. Full details here.
(15 photos) - 12/01/13

  The volunteer-run Swanage Railway is to feature in a new landmark BBC documentary series about how the development of railways radically changed society and economics - not just in this country but also around the world. Full details here.
(30 photos) - 07/01/13

  In a nostalgic scene from yesteryear, a restored milk tank wagon is running on the end of steam trains between Norden Park & Ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage until the end of Sunday, 6th January, 2013. Full details here.
(45 photos) - 04/01/13

  Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers will have run a total of 36 fund-raising 'Santa Special' steam trains by the end of Christmas Eve - with the popular services running a combined distance of 430 miles through the beautiful Purbeck countryside. Full details here.
(15 photos) - 24/12/12

  Fund-raising 'Santa Special' steam trains are still running through the Isle of Purbeck today, Saturday, 22 December, 2012, despite flooding blocking the main A351 Wareham to Swanage road at Corfe Castle which was reopened by 10am this morning, Saturday 22nd December 2012. Full details here.
(15 photos) - 22/12/12

  History has been made with a South West Trains 'Express Sprinter' Class 158 diesel multiple unit undertaking a special clearance test run between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage. Full details here.
(100 photos) - 20/12/12

  Contact information for the Swanage Railway's three-day May 2013 Diesel Gala to be held from Friday to Sunday, 10th to 12th May 2013. Full details here.
(1 photo) - 01/12/12

  Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are gearing up to run a total of 36 'Santa Special' steam trains in the run-up to Christmas Day - with the first of the popular services running through the beautiful Purbeck countryside this weekend, Saturday, 1 December, 2012. Full details here.
(25 photos) - 30/11/12

  Our latest video from Andrew P.M. Wright - Working Together on the Swanage Railway, presented at the SRT AGM and featuring volunteers around the Swanage Railway - is now available on our dedicated YouTube page together with: Project Wareham - Achieving a 40 year dream, Behind the Scenes at Swanage Steam Shed and Harman's Cross - The Building of a Station. Full details here.
(1 new video) - 20/10/12

  A new wizard's cave with magical entertainment - as well as the traditional steam-filled fun of face painting, balloon magic and brake van rides - is to star in the Swanage Railway's exciting Autumn Half Term Fun Week 27th Oct to 4th Nov 2012. Full details here.
(5 photos) - 15/10/12

  Photo Report: Swanage Railway Grand Steam Gala 7-9 September 2012. Full details here.
(50 photos) - 02/10/12

  Swanage Railway Grand Steam Gala star Standard Class '2' No. 78019's test runs on Wednesday 5 September, 2012 in readiness for the annual event. Full details here.
(30 photos) - 07/09/12

  A steam locomotive inspired by the man who designed the Ivatt tanks - which worked the Swanage branch for British Railways between 1964 and 1966 - has arrived to star in the Swanage Railway's Grand Steam Gala 7-9 September 2012. Full details here.
(50 photos) - 29/08/12

  Two diminutive but charming Cornish steam locomotives have arrived on the Swanage Railway to star in the heritage line's Grand Steam Gala to be held 7th to 9th September 2012 - and make a very special piece of history! Full details here.
(70 photos) - 29/08/12

  Ex-BR Standard Class 2 No. 78019 from the Great Central Railway is to star in the Swanage Railway's Autumn Grand Steam Gala and Vintage Transport Rally to be held 7th to 9th September 2012. Full details here.
(5 photos) - 22/08/12

  History has been made with the arm being installed on the first Swanage Railway signal that train drivers from Wareham will see as they approach Norden. Full details here.
(60 photos) - 11/08/12