VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF RECRUITMENT STAND AT WATERLOO STATION TO MARK RAIL 200 ANNIVERSARY

Story and photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright,

Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.

Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are to staff an information and recruitment stand marking the Rail 200 anniversary on the concourse at Waterloo station in London - thanks to help from Network Rail and South Western Railway.

The display about the award-winning Isle of Purbeck heritage line that has been steadily rebuilt to connect with the national railway network since 1976 – and featuring the varied and rewarding opportunities for volunteering - will be staffed daily from Monday, 19 May, to Friday, 23 May, 2025, inclusive, between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

During their five-days at Waterloo station, Swanage Railway volunteers will mark the 140th anniversary of the line’s opening on Wednesday, 20 May, 1885, when the first public passenger train ran from Swanage and Corfe Castle to the main line at Wareham.

The Swanage Railway Trust has a special link with the history of Waterloo station because its unique Victorian T3 class steam locomotive No. 563 – built at Nine Elms in London in 1893 – was saved from the scrapyard after the Second World War when selected to appear at celebrations marking the centenary of the station in 1948.

The T3 class steam locomotives, including No. 563, also hauled holidaymaker trains from London Waterloo to Corfe Castle and Swanage from the 1890s to the 1930s.

A national celebration, by both heritage railways and the national railway system, Rail 200 marks the 200th anniversary of the railways; celebrating the vital role of the railways past, present and future in England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. 

More than 62 million people used the concourse, and associated facilities, at London’s Waterloo station during the year from March, 2023, to March, 2024, according to statistics from the Government’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Information and recruitment stand organiser Matthew Richter – a volunteer Swanage Railway Trust director - said: “A large number of people use the Waterloo station concourse so this is a wonderful opportunity to promote volunteering on the Swanage Railway and we are very grateful to Network Rail and South Western Railway for their generous help in enabling it to happen.

“We encourage visitors to travel to our information and recruitment stand at Waterloo station by South Western Railway because it is so easy and convenient to do so.

“Against the odds, the Swanage Railway’s steady and determined rebuilding since 1976 to re-connect with the national railway network near Wareham – after the line was closed and dismantled by British Rail in 1972 – reflected the pioneering and enterprising Victorian businessmen who campaigned to build the line a century before in the 1880s,” added Matthew, a former station porter on the heritage line who lives near Wareham.

Volunteer Swanage Railway Trust chair and Swanage Railway Company director Frank Roberts explained: “The Swanage Railway is delighted to be taking part in the national Rail 200 celebrations and I would like to thank Network Rail and South Western Railway for their generous help in enabling our participation at London Waterloo which is very much appreciated.

“Volunteering on the Swanage Railway is very fulfilling and a great way of meeting new people while assisting with worthwhile community projects at what has become one of Dorset’s major tourist attractions.

“It takes more people to operate, maintain and develop the Swanage Railway than many people realise. I find volunteering on the Swanage Railway very fulfilling and enjoyable while working with a splendid group of talented and committed people of all ages and backgrounds,” added Frank, a Swanage Railway volunteer for 40 years.

The ten-mile branch line linking the market town of Wareham with the village of Corfe Castle and the seaside town of Swanage took two years and more than £80,000, in Victorian money, to build after an almost 40-year campaign by a succession of Isle of Purbeck businessmen.

After being controversially closed by British Rail in January 1972 – with seven miles of track lifted between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Furzebrook in just seven weeks during the summer of 1972 – dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers started their 30-year battle to rebuild the line at a boarded up Swanage station in February, 1976.

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 [email protected]. Details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.