RARE CHANCE TO SEE BEHIND THE SCENES OF A BUSY WORKING RAILWAY AND SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP IT RUNNING - 5th and 6th April 2008

Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 26th March 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Fireman Oscar Martin on the footplate of GWR No. 6695 which has just arrived from Harman's Cross and Swanage gives a cheery wave to then fireman Graham Froud of Corfe Castle on the footplate of Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104 as it coasts into Corfe Castle from Norden.

The public is being given the rare chance to see behind the scenes of the award-winning Swanage Railway – and speak to the volunteers that keep it running throughout the year – thanks to a fascinating and rather special two-day event.

The ‘Railway at Work’ weekend takes to the relaid Purbeck Line between Norden park and ride, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston and Swanage on Saturday and Sunday, 5 and 6 April 2008.

The special event is part of a push to recruit more volunteers to help run and develop the award-winning Swanage Railway which has been rebuilt from scratch since 1976 and now carries more than 200,000 passengers a year.

We also have a special version of our Volunteer leaflet for the 'Railway at Work Weekend', which includes a working timetable. Please click on the image (below) to download a printable copy.

Volunteers and members of staff will be acting as guides for the public at Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden park and ride stations.

Swanage Railway driver Pete Sykes (R) fireman Oliver Furnell (L), and Steven Duncalfe of Corfe Mullen with driver Pete Frost (R) & fireman Matt McManus (L)

The public will be able to see behind the scenes at Swanage station – visiting the signal box, the telephone exchange, the goods shed where carriages and wagons are restored as well as the engine shed viewing area. There will also be railway displays on the station platform at Swanage.

Visitors will also be able to see behind the scenes at the Swanage Railway’s engineering works at the Purbeck Business Centre – off Victoria Avenue on the outskirts of the town – between 10am and 3pm where steam locomotives are restored to full working order.

The public will also be able to see behind the scenes at the Swanage Railway’s two other signal boxes at Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle stations.

At Norden station – next to the award-winning park and ride car park – the public will be able to enjoy a display by the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum Group and see the progress the Group is making in re-creating a ball clay mine next to the station.

Swanage Railway driver Mel Cox on footplate, and Swanage Railway guard Graham Cope with driver Les Frampton (R) & fireman Barry Light (L)

Steam trains – and the early 1960s heritage railcar offering all-round views of the Purbeck countryside – will be running between Norden park and ride and Swanage between 9.50am and 5.43pm on both days.

There will also be a public train service on the Saturday evening which also sees the running of the ‘Wessex Belle’ luxury dining train between Swanage and Norden park and ride – offering discounted prices for Swanage Railway members.

Members of the Swanage Railway – which is run by the Swanage Railway Trust charity – will be able to enjoy brake van rides at Swanage station which are not open to the public.

Swanage Railway Trust members will also be able to take part in guided walks along the one mile of line that is not yet open to passenger-carrying trains between Norden and the boundary with Network Rail at Motala near Furzebrook. The guided walks are not open to the public and members should meet at the Norden park and ride car park visitors’ centre.

Buffet refreshment facilities are available at Norden and Swanage stations while at Corfe Castle, visitors can enjoy the museum in the station’s converted Victorian goods shed. The station shop at Swanage will also be open.

Train ticket prices are adult returns £8 and concession returns £6. Day rover tickets offering unlimited travel on the day of issue are £9.50 for adults and £7.50 for concessions. Rover tickets for the Saturday evening heritage railcar train service are £4 for adults and £3 for concessions.

Swanage Railway Trust members receive unlimited free travel on the trains on production of a valid membership card.