SWANAGE RAILWAY VOLUNTEERS ANNOUNCE THEIR 2012 SPECIAL EVENT DATES FOR GREAT FAMILY DAYS OUT

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 9th December 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Ex-LSWR 0-4-4T Class M7 No.53 (30053) at Corfe Castle - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers have announced the dates of their special events for 2012 - providing not just great family days out but also important income for the development and extension of the award-winning Purbeck Line.

The five and a half mile long heritage 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.

Ex-LSWR 0-4-4T Class M7 No.53 (30053) at Corfe Castle - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

The year 2012 will see a behind the scenes Railway at Work Weekend, Easter Specials, a very popular Diesel Gala, an evocative Grand Steam Gala and Classic Transport Rally as well as a Family Fun Week with the year coming to an end with the traditional Santa Specials.

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.

Ex-BR Bo-Bo Class 33 "Crompton" No. 33012 / D6515 at Corfe Castle - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

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

The Swanage Railway's special event dates for 2012 are as follows:
• Railway at Work Weekend - 24th & 25th March 2012
• Diesel Gala - 11th to 13th May 2012
• Grand Steam Gala & Classic Transport Rally - 7th to 9th September 2012
• Family Fun Week - 27th October to 4th November 2012
• Santa Specials - 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December 2012

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.

Ex-BR 2-6-4T Class 4MT No. 80104 passes Swanage signal box - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "Special events are very important because they give added interest for our visitors and raise money for the development and extension of our heritage line and its facilities.

"The Swanage Railway is about giving visitors an enjoyable, high quality day out that is good value for money. Our staff work very hard to deliver that day in and day out," explained Mr Payne.

Visitors arrive at Swanage station - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

Swanage station offers the railway gift shop, the Bird's Nest Buffet - where young and old alike can enjoy tasty food and refreshments as they watch the trains arrive and depart - and an engine shed viewing area.

Young visitors to the Swanage Railway are shown around the footplate - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

Corfe Castle station offers the goods shed museum which explains the history of the line going back to its opening in 1885 and the battle across more than 30 years to rebuild it since 1972 when British Rail closed the branch.

At Norden station - next to the safe attended 'park and ride' car park - the Norden Nest buffet off the railway platform offers snacks and refreshments as steam locomotives pass by.

Ex-LSWR 0-4-4T Class M7 No.53 (30053) and ex-SR 4-6-2 "West Country" Class no. 34028 Eddystone - Photograph Andrew P.M. Wright

The Swanage Railway contributes around £10 million to the Purbeck economy with profits from the running of train services being ploughed back into the development and extension of the Swanage Railway and its facilities.

The heritage 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 £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.