SWANAGE RAILWAY STAFF WIN TOURISM AWARD FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR PURBECK HERITAGE LINE VISITOR ATTRACTION

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 11th November 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright as noted
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Swanage Railway volunteers with the the award at Swanage. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Hard-working Swanage Railway staff are celebrating after again winning a tourism award for the quality of their popular Purbeck heritage line visitor attraction - for the fifth year running.

See below for a selection of photos from Andrew P.M. Wright showing Swanage Railway volunteers at work around the Swanage Railway.

The visiting group talks with Swanage Railway staff at Corfe Castle station. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The Quality Assured Visitor Attraction accreditation has come from the national Visit England body which promotes tourism and high quality among visitor attractions countrywide.

Rebuilt from nothing since 1976 - and carrying more than 200,000 passengers a year - the award-winning Swanage Railway is the most visited paid-for attraction in Dorset.

It is also the second most visited heritage railway in south west England according to Visit England figures for 2010.

Swanage Railway volunteers at work around the Swanage Railway. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The Swanage Railway operates some 2,800 trains a year, mostly steam-hauled, which clock up a total of almost 17,000 miles - that is two thirds of the way around the world.

The award to the Swanage Railway follows a detailed inspection by Visit England of the heritage railway which runs steam and diesel trains over almost six miles of relaid line between Swanage, Herston, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden 'park and ride'.

Young visitors are shown around the footplate at Swanage. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The Visit England inspector noted: "The Swanage Railway continues to offer memorable experiences to visitors of all ages and interests. Staff in all areas of the attraction are friendly, proactive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable; their good customer care enables visitors to benefit from their trip on the Railway."

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "The Quality Assured Visitor Attraction status is a credit to all the Swanage Railway staff who have worked hard to make the Swanage Railway what it is today.

Young visitors are shown around the footplate at Swanage. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

"The friendliness and helpfulness of the Swanage Railway staff is a recurring theme throughout the report from an independent professional inspector and reflects the public's view of the Swanage Railway in our summer passenger survey that the friendliness of staff was rated extremely high."

Some of the key areas praised by the Visit England inspector were:
• Good and reliable information provided before and during the visit
• Punctuality of the trains
• Very friendly and helpful staff
• Pro-activity of staff adding to the enjoyment of the visit
• Major improvements in the Bird's Nest buffet and shop at Swanage station
• Provision of facilities for disabled passengers

Swanage Railway volunteers at work around the Swanage Railway. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Martin explained: "This is a tremendous credit to our staff, both volunteers and paid, who work tirelessly to deliver an exceptional experience to our passengers.

"Our staff have a real passion about the Swanage Railway and the Purbeck area and they are only too happy to explain how things work or what visitors can do during their time in the Isle of Purbeck or other parts of Dorset.

"Staff friendliness on our trains and at stations is a major reason for visitors returning time after time to the Swanage Railway for a quality and enjoyable visitor experience," added Martin.

Visitors are shown around the loco shed at Swanage. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

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

Swanage Railway service details are available from the Swanage Railway on 01929 425800 - or by following the links in the index on the left of this page.

To see the full set of photos, please scroll down the page.

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