VOLUNTEERS URGE FIRST SOUTH WEST TRAINS 'RAINBOW DAY' PASSENGERS TO VISIT DORSET'S SWANAGE RAILWAY - on Saturday 20th August 2011

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 16th August 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright as noted
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Scenes around the Swanage Railway awaiting South West Trains 'Rainbow Day' passengers. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are urging the first South West Trains 'Rainbow Day' passengers from Winchester to enjoy a nostalgic and evocative trip behind steam on Dorset's award-winning relaid Purbeck Line.

The Swanage Railway's official photographer & press officer Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied a selection of photos illustrating some of the scenes and attractions around the Swanage Railway. To see all the photos, please scroll down to the bottom of this page.

The first 'Rainbow Day' is being held at Winchester station in Hampshire on Saturday, 20 August, 2011, and will offer a day return ticket to anywhere on the South West Trains network for just £10 for adults and £5 for children.

All the South West Trains 'Rainbow Day' passengers have to do is switch to a Wilts & Dorset bus at Wareham station - the 40 or the X43 - for the five-mile trip to Norden or Corfe Castle and the start of the award-winning Swanage Railway. The bus and Swanage Railway fares have to be paid separately.

Scenes around the Swanage Railway awaiting South West Trains 'Rainbow Day' passengers. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "'Rainbow Day' is a special initiative to encourage people to give South West Trains' services a try for just £10 return.

"We hope the first 'Rainbow Day' passengers from Winchester will come down to Wareham by train on Saturday for just £10 return and then take the bus to the Swanage Railway to enjoy the best of steam, countryside, history and the seaside.

"The Swanage Railway is a great day out and we're currently running our intensive two-train peak season summer timetable with trains running between 10am and 10pm.

Scenes around the Swanage Railway awaiting South West Trains 'Rainbow Day' passengers. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

"Steam trains operate from Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston and Swanage every 40 minutes between 10am and 6pm while an evening heritage diesel rail bus is running between 7pm and 10pm.

"There are the delights of Corfe Castle - the Medieval ruins, the quaint shops and the pubs - as well as the sea and the beach at Swanage, not to mention excellent country walking opportunities from our stations.

"The Swanage Railway has so much to offer the visitor in addition to the evocative experience of travelling on a steam train through the beautiful Purbeck countryside. For some people, it's nostalgia while for others it is a new and fascinating experience.

Swnage Railway driver Les Frampton (right) & fireman Oscar Martin. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

"Since the fledgling Swanage Railway was started back in 1976, volunteers have worked very hard to rebuild from scratch the steam railway that can be enjoyed today - and it has all been rebuilt from nothing," explained Mr Payne.

Thousands of discounted train tickets will be available on South West Trains' first 'Rainbow Day' and tickets will be sold exclusively at Winchester station ticket office on Saturday, 20 August 2011.

A voucher will be required and that can be downloaded from the South West Trains website at www.southwesttrains.co.uk.

Swanage Railway driver Pete Duncalfe shows a young vistor around the footplate. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

South West Trains 'Rainbow Day' tickets can be bought in advance or on the day and there will be no limit to the number of Rainbow tickets issued on Saturday, 20 August, 2011 - but all travel must be completed on that day.

Rebuilt from nothing since 1976 after it was closed and demolished by British Rail in 1972, the volunteer-run Swanage Railway carries more than 200,000 passengers a year on the six miles of relaid railway line between Norden 'park and ride', Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage.

The heritage railway contributes £10 million to the Purbeck economy and profits from train services and special events are ploughed back into the development and extension of the Swanage Railway and its facilities.

Signalman Graham Cope in the award-winning Swanage signal box. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The Swanage Railway is run by some 500 regular volunteers - assisted by a team of more than 30 full-time staff - and the value of the Swanage Railway volunteers' work is some £2 million a year if they were paid.

Details of the Swanage Railway's steam and diesel train services - as well as special events - are available by following the menu links on the left of this page or by calling 01929 425800.

To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph to view a full size version, and then click on CLOSE or 'x' on your keyboard to close it and return to this page.

The photos on this page can also be viewed as a slideshow - just click on any image and then click on the enlarged to continue scrolling through the photos - Next and Previous links on the right and left of the photos - or use the CLOSE link or 'x' on your keyboard to exit