19th May, 2025
Story and photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright,
Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.
An historic Victorian brass horn reputed to have been blown to mark the departure of the first passenger train from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Wareham in May, 1885, has been sounded again at a 140th anniversary commemoration at Swanage station.
Attending the special gathering on Saturday, 17 May, 2025, was His Majesty the King’s representative in Dorset - Lord-Lieutenant Michael Dooley - as well as the Mayor of Swanage Tina Foster, the Mayor of Wareham Zoe Gover and Major Rob Luke from the Royal Corps of Signals at Blandford Forum in Dorset.
A celebration of almost 50 years of volunteering to rebuild and develop the Swanage Railway - and connect the heritage line to the national railway network near Wareham - the 140th anniversary commemoration was hosted by Swanage Railway Trust chair Frank Roberts, a railway volunteer for more than 40 years, with the Swanage Town Band playing on the station platform to welcome dignitaries and guests just as their predecessors did in May, 1885.
Swanage Railway volunteers attending the special event – as well as those volunteers on duty on the heritage line on Saturday, 17 May, 2025 – were presented with a special commemorative badge designed by Swanage Railway Trust trustee and volunteer Clive Hardy who organised the special 140th anniversary commemoration.
The Swanage Railway’s 140th anniversary commemorations on the afternoon of Saturday, 17 May, 2025, also saw a special cake cut by dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers who had each completed more than 50 years of service on the award-winning Isle of Purbeck heritage line.
After speeches from Swanage Railway Trust chair Frank Roberts, the Mayor of Swanage Tina Foster and Swanage Railway Trust patron Sir Philip Williams, the London and South Western Railway brass horn was blown at Swanage station to mark the departure at 2pm of a special 140th anniversary steam train bound for Herston Halt, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden.
Blowing the horn was long-time Swanage Railway volunteer Peter Sills who, as a teenager, travelled on the last British Rail passenger train from Swanage and Corfe Castle to the main line at Wareham on the evening of Saturday, 1 January, 1972 – New Year’s Day.
With the dignitaries and other guests riding in a 1940s 'Devon Belle' Pullman observation carriage, the special train was hauled by 1940s Southern Railway Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific express steam locomotive No. 34072 '257 Squadron' which was the first Bulleid Pacific to haul trains on the Swanage Railway in November, 1990.
Bulleid Pacifics hauled trains from London to Corfe Castle and Swanage from the late 1940s through to the last steam-hauled timetabled train from the capital in September, 1966, after which diesel trains operated the Swanage branch service until the line was closed by British Rail in 1972.
It was No. 34072 '257 Squadron' that had the historic honour of hauling the first passenger train from Norden to Corfe Castle and Swanage when the line from Harman's Cross to Corfe Castle and Norden opened in August, 1995.
Swanage Railway Trust chair Frank Roberts said: “It was a wonderful occasion and we were delighted to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, the Mayors of Swanage and Wareham as well as representatives of the Royal Corps of Signals which has been helping the Swanage Railway with its telecommunication development along the relaid line since 1984.
“The afternoon was not just a commemoration of 140 years of history but also a celebration of almost five decades of devoted volunteer efforts by several generations of determined men and women who have battled and campaigned to rebuild the Swanage Railway from nothing in 1976 and develop it into the much-loved heritage railway that so many people enjoy today,” he added.
The Swanage Railway volunteers who have each completed more than 50 years service on the heritage line who attended the special 140th anniversary commemoration were Mike Brown, Nigel Clark, Peter Frost, Nick Hanham, Pete Short, Mick Stone, Peter Sykes and Jeremy Weller.
Also present was volunteer Swanage Railway driver Mel Cox who joined British Rail at Bournemouth station as a 15-year old steam locomotive cleaner in 1964 and drove diesel trains between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage in the late 1960s before the line was closed in 1972.
Mel explained: “When the volunteers started to rebuild the line from a disused and trackless Swanage in 1976, most people thought they were mad and would never do it – including me. Driving steam trains on the Swanage Railway is a privilege and I would never have been able to do it without the hard work and determination of generations of volunteers going back almost 50 years.”
Fifty year Swanage Railway volunteer Nigel Clark said: “When we started to rebuild the Swanage Railway at a disused Swanage station almost 50 years ago, were were young and determined with a strong sense of camaraderie, friendship and working towards a shared goal. It’s sad to think of the good friends we have lost over the years who have not lived to enjoy today’s Swanage Railway.”
Clive Hardy explained: “When the Swanage branch line opened in May, 1885, the new 25-minute train journey from Swanage to Wareham cost eleven pence compared with a traditional horse and carriage journey taking one and a half hours at a ticket price of two shillings and sixpence.
“The new Victorian railway was an historic and a seismic change for the Isle of Purbeck – turning Swanage from a fishing and quarrying town into a popular seaside resort and the picturesque village of Corfe Castle into a desirable day-trip destination,” added Clive, a volunteer for eleven years.
The Swanage Railway’s 140th anniversary comes in the year of Rail 200 - a national celebration, by heritage railways and the national railway system, marking the 200th anniversary of the railways; celebrating the railways past, present and future in England, Scotland, Wales and on the Isle of Man.
Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer Lisa Gravett on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk. Details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.