SWANAGE RAILWAY HISTORY IS MADE WITH YOUNGEST FOOTPLATE CREW - 22nd March 2008

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 19th April 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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21 year old driver Graham Froud from Corfe Castle (right) - with 20 year old fireman Billy Johnson from Swanage

History has been made on the award-winning Swanage Railway with its youngest footplate crew working a train on the relaid Purbeck Line.

Twenty-one year old driver Graham Froud from Corfe Castle - with 20 year old fireman Billy Johnson from Swanage - also made a second piece of Swanage Railway history.

The fresh faced pair were the first footplate crew on the relaid Purbeck Line to shunt the station yard at Corfe Castle station with a Bulleid Pacific locomotive since the British Railways days of steam up to the autumn of 1965 when Swanage and Corfe Castle's good yards were closed.

Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 'Eddystone' at Corfe Castle - with driver Graham Froud (right) and fireman Billy Johnson from Swanage

The locomotive was rebuilt West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 'Eddystone'.

The double history making occasion took place on Easter Saturday, 22 March, 2008, with Graham and Billy working duty No. 308 - booking on at 4pm before working the 4.30pm train from Swanage to Norden park and ride.

On their arrival back at Swanage at 5.33pm, the pair took the empty carriage stock back up to Corfe Castle where it was berthed in the goods yard headshunt before the steam locomotive ran back to Swanage for disposal.

Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 'Eddystone' at Corfe Castle - with driver Graham Froud (right) and fireman Billy Johnson from Swanage

To put Graham and Billy's ages into perspective in terms of the history of the rebuilt Swanage Railway, the pair were born when passenger trains were only running the one and a half miles from Swanage to Herston Halt and then on to a point short of the New Barn girder bridge.

Corfe Castle signalman Trevor Parsons seen working in Corfe Castle signal box, and Harman's Cross signalman Paul Clements making the token hoop exchange.

Back in 1987 and 1988, the trains were only three or four coaches long and they were hauled by former industrial steam locomotives.

When the half mile extension was opened between Herston Halt and New Barn in July, 1987, the locomotive ran round its coaches via the loop when it arrived at Herston Halt before the locomotive propelled the train up the one in 78 gradient to just short of the straight that runs to New Barn bridge.

Flashback to the first train to New Barn in 1987, and Washpond Lane Herston also in 1987.

Andrew P.M. Wright has also provided some flashback pictures showing Swanage Railway trains when Graham and Billy were born - 1987 and 1988 when trains only ran one and a half miles to just short of New barn bridge.

New volunteers are always needed in the Swanage Railway's operations department to train as locomotive cleaners before working their way up to fireman and then driver - just as Graham Froud and Billy Johnson have done.

If you are interested in volunteering for the footplate, call volunteer co-ordinator Mike Whitwam on 01929 475212 or visit www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk.

Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied over 70 photos to illustrate this page. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the full set of photos.