IT'S STEAM FILLED FUN, FUN, FUN ALL THE WAY - WITH SWANAGE RAILWAY VOLUNTEERS STAGING THEIR HALF TERM FUN WEEK
Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 2010

News Item and Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 10th February 2009
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright.
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Fun activities at Swanage Railway Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 2010

It's steam-filled fun, fun, fun all the way - with Swanage Railway volunteers staging their half term Family Fun Week for children and adults alike between Saturday 13 February and Sunday 21 February 2010.

There will be regular steam and diesel train services, existing brake van rides at Swanage, colourful face painting at Corfe Castle, Twistina providing balloon magic on most steam trains, magician entertainment on Swanage station and prize draws.

As a late change to our plans, the brake van rides will be hauled by BR 2-6-4T Class 4MT No. 80104 - rather than Victorian-designed steam locomotive M7 No. 30053 built at Nine Elms in London during 1905 for the London and South Western Railway.

Brake van rides this year will be hauled by our mighty BR 2-6-4T Class 4MT No. 80104 instead of our Victorian-designed steam locomotive M7 No. 30053, seen here on last year's services.

The rare locomotive shown in these photos spent its last months with British Railways during 1964 hauling trains between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage before being sold to an American millionaire and being shipped out to the USA. M7 No. 30053 was rescued and brought back to Swanage during 1987, and will be in service during 2010.

During the half term Family Fun Week, the steam train service between Norden park and ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston and Swanage will be hauled by a 1940s express steam locomotive - Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific Nol. 34070 Manston.

The daily two-train service during the Family Fun Week will also see trains hauled by a Class 33 diesel locomotive dating from the early 1960s. The Class 33 diesels hauled London to Swanage trains from 1963 until 1969 and maintained the Poole to Weymouth train service from 1967 to 1988.

At Swanage, 1940s express steam locomotive - West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone - will be in light steam in the bay platform.

Youngsters and adults alike will be able to take a closer look at the classic design of steam locomotive that hauled express trains between London, Southampton, Bournemouth and Weymouth between the mid-1940s and the end of steam in 1967.

Fun activities including balloon sculpting at Swanage Railway Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 2010

As well as colourful face painting for children, Corfe Castle station also has the goods shed museum with a narrow gauge Victorian steam locomotive as well as the museum coach featuring displays about the history and rebuilding of the Swanage Railway.

Proceeds from the Family Fun Week are going towards the extension and on-going development of the award-winning Swanage Railway which has been rebuilt from nothing since 1976 and last year carried more than 200,000 passengers.

Swanage Railway marketing manager Martin Payne said: "With a range of activities and attractions for children, the half term Family Fun Week will be an exciting event with adults sure to enjoy it as much as the youngsters - a cracking good steam-filled day out in the Isle of Purbeck.

Colourful face painting for children at Corfe Castle station during the Swanage Railway Fun Week Saturday 13 February to Sunday 21 February 2010

"With attended car parking next to Norden station, the whole family can enjoy the steam and diesel train rides through spectacular scenery - including views of the impressive ruins of Corfe Castle.

"At Swanage station there is the railway shop and the Bird's Nest buffet from which you can watch the steam and diesel trains arriving and departing."

Normal train fares apply for the Family Fun Week with booking facilities available on-line at www.swanagerailway.co.uk.

Brake van rides hauled by Victorian-designed steam locomotive M7 No. 30053 during last year's Swanage Railway's Fun Week.

More details about Swanage Railway services are available from www.swanagerailway.co.uk or by calling 01929 425800, and see our dedicated page here.