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Swanage Railway: Access for All
Swanage Railway has always been about people. It’s about families making memories, volunteers giving their time, and a community coming together to keep something special alive.
But the truth is, right now, not everyone can experience the railway in the way they should be able to, and that needs to change.
We have taken a major step forward by applying to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for £249,000 funding to overhaul and convert two of our carriages (Mk1 TSOs 4842 & 4961) into fully accessible vehicles.
These will not be token adaptations. They will be developed to the same high standard seen on leading heritage railways, allowing wheelchair users and those with additional needs to travel comfortably, safely, and alongside their families. This is about dignity. It is about inclusion. And it is about doing the right thing.
For too long, some of our visitors have had to travel in the guard’s van, separated from their families and with a much more limited experience. That is not the Swanage Railway we want to be.
Alongside this, we will also be carrying out a full accessibility audit across the entire railway. This project is just the beginning. We want to properly understand where we need to improve and make sure accessibility is built into everything we do going forward.
Each coach will feature:
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Accessible toilets designed for wheelchair users
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Extra wide doors for wheelchairs and scooters
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Spacious interiors to comfortably accommodate wheelchair users and their companions
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Accessibility for family and friends to travel together
This funding application is a huge opportunity, but we need to raise at least £25,000 towards the project to make it happen. That is where you come in.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to a railway that is truly open to everyone. A railway where no one feels like a second-class visitor. A railway that reflects the values we talk about: respect, inclusion and community.
We have spent the last few years making sure the railway survives. Now it is time to make sure it thrives, for everyone.
If you believe Swanage Railway should be accessible to all, please consider supporting this project. Together, we can make this happen.
How can I help?
Anything you can donate will make a real difference. Every pound gets us closer to creating a more inclusive railway for everyone to enjoy.
And if you are able to add Gift Aid, even better. Gift Aid costs you nothing extra. If you are a UK taxpayer, it allows us to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated, making your support go even further.
Thank you for helping us build a Swanage Railway that is open, welcoming and accessible to all.
