BEYOND NORDEN - AN APPEAL FOR FUNDS AS SWANAGE RAILWAY VOLUNTEERS PROCEED WITH PROJECT WAREHAM - 20th April 2009

Update from Steve Doughty - 20th April 2009
Council of Management, Swanage Railway Trust.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright, official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway, unless otherwise noted.
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The long-awaited passenger service hauled by freshly-painted DB Schenker Class 66 locomotive No 66152 from the main line at Wareham, stands at Swanage station on 1st April 2009. Photo Keith Morgan.

Steve Doughty writes:

Beyond Norden - an appeal for funds

The full text of this letter and form is available for download and printing here or by clicking on the image on the right. The recent arrival in Swanage of rail passengers from London marked another important step forward in the evolution of the Swanage Railway Project. These through trains have now established that our railway is now once again firmly connected to the national network. Much remains to be done however to make our railway capable of handling through services regularly and we now need to move forward with this work in order to maintain the momentum that has been developed. The 'Project Wareham' to do list is a long one. Our line beyond Norden needs further investment to upgrade the line speed to 25mph. A full barrier crossing will be required at Norden before regular movements will be permitted and at anything more than walking pace. Our new signal box at Corfe Castle needs to be fitted out, complete with the necessary equipment to interface directly with Network Rail such that trains can be exchanged without the need for padlocks and gates.

Download and print the letter and form to send with your donation or donate on-line, details below

Mike Standhaft (left) and Terry Williams (right) look on, with the gates across the boundary with Network Rail in the background, as Mel Cox operates the ground frame levers at Motala during a freight working in December 2007 - also shown in close-up.

In due time, we hope to gain access to the sidings at Furzebrook for the development of the maintenance and operational facilities we need. While the Swanage Railway as a member of the Purbeck Rail Partnership continues to seek funding for some of these works as part of the amenity service proposal, the chances of success are enhanced by the continuing progress we make with undertaking the basic work we need to complete on our section of the line. We need to keep moving forward.

While the precise scope of these works remains to be defined, we have set an immediate target of £100,000 for the enhancement of operations beyond Norden and to ensure that we have the fighting fund we will need to be ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

The line beyond Norden is very different to the rest of the Swanage branch. The heathland scenery and the views across Poole harbour are every bit as beautiful as the rolling hills south and east of Corfe Castle.

We need to move the Swanage Railway on from Norden such that they can be enjoyed by more and more visitors to Purbeck. If you share that vision, please complete the form overleaf.

Many thanks for your support.

Steve Doughty
Council of Management
Swanage Railway Trust
20th April 2009

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT

Download and print the letter and form on the right to send with your donation or donate on-line, details below

Donations to the project can be made to the Swanage Railway Trust (Project Wareham), Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB or on-line by debit or credit card via the Trust's website at 'www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk' by following this link.

Please click here to visit the Swanage Railway Trust Appeals section at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm#Wareham

Contact details:
Steve Doughty
Council of Management
Swanage Railway Trust
Station House
Swanage
DORSET
BH19 1HB
Tel: 07860-108754
Email: stephen.doughty1@btopenworld.com

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  Virgin Voyager visit on 7/8th Sept Photo Page 8 - Departure (16 photos) 19/9/02
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  Virgin Voyager visit on 7/8th Sept Photo Page 5 - Swanage (17 photos) - 19/9/02
  Virgin Voyager visit on 7/8th Sept Photo Page 4 - Norden (20 photos) - 19/9/02
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