WINTER WARM UP STEAM AND DIESEL WEEKEND DOUBLES ITS VISITOR NUMBERS

It was in February, 1976, that a small group of dedicated volunteers started restoration work at a disused and boarded up Swanage station.

Taking place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4, January, 2026, the ‘Winter Warm Up’ featured five heritage locomotives – four steam and one diesel – dating from the 1890s through to the 1960s.

The event saw passenger trains running the five and a half miles from Swanage to Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden – with some of the trains running beyond Norden on the four-mile line to the River Frome, within sight of Wareham.

The steam locomotives featured were unique Victorian London and South Western Railway T3 No. 563 from the 1890s, Southern Railway U class No. 31806 from the 1920s and two 1940s Southern Railway Bulleid Pacifics – West Country class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ and Battle of Britain class No. 34070 ‘Manston’.

The diesel locomotive feature in the ‘Winter Warm Up’ was early 1960s British Railways Class 33 main line heritage diesel locomotive No. 33 053.

Swanage Railway Chief Executive Officer Abbie King said: “What an incredible ‘Winter Warm Up’ weekend and what a fitting way to launch the Swanage Railway’s special 50th anniversary year.

"Despite the bitterly cold weather, we were delighted to welcome double the number of visitors as last year which is a real testament to the strength of the event and the hard work of everyone involved.

"A huge thank you to everyone who braved the conditions to support us and especially to those who captured and shared such amazing photos and videos – they really helped tell the story of the weekend and showcase the atmosphere across the railway.

"Above all, thank you to our staff and volunteers who went above and beyond in challenging conditions to deliver such a successful event. Your commitment, enthusiasm and resilience are what make special events like this possible.

“Watch out for more exciting announcements about what’s coming to the Swanage Railway in 2026,” added Abbie.

At Corfe Castle station, the Swanage Railway museum - housed in the restored Victorian good shed – was open across the Winter Warm Up’ weekend.

Newly upgraded for main line running, No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ returned to the Swanage Railway after hauling several excursion trains on the national railway network for the first time since 1964 when the locomotive was withdrawn by British Railways.

Bulleid Pacifics, like ‘Eddystone’ and ‘Manston’, hauled trains from London to Corfe Castle and Swanage from the 1940s to the end of steam trains in southern England during 1967.

Built in the late 1920s, Southern Railway U class No. 31806 used to haul holidaymaker trains to Corfe Castle and Swanage from Basingstoke and Eastleigh during the 1950s.

Built in 1961, ex-British Railways Class 33 diesel-electric No. 33 053 was based at the Hither Green and Stewarts Lane depots of British Rail during its working career.

The Class 33 locomotives ran on London to Corfe Castle and Swanage trains between 1963 and 1969 as well as on special ramblers’ trains in the year or two before the line closed in January, 1972. The last locomotive to run to Corfe Castle and Swanage was a Class 33 in the summer of 1972.

Swanage station shop was open during the ‘Winter Warm Up’ weekend while refreshments and snacks were available at Swanage and Norden stations as well as on some of the trains.

Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering on the Swanage Railway should email [email protected]. Details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.

Story and photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright,

Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.