Dorset railway history in the making

The public can watch two historic trains from London arrive in Swanage – for the first time since 1972.

Twelve carriages long and with a diesel locomotive at each end, the two charter trains from the capital are running to Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage on Wednesday and Thursday, 1 and 2 April 2009.

The running of the first ‘Purbeck Pioneer’ trains from London to Swanage will make Dorset railway history and are an important development that several generations of determined Swanage Railway volunteers have been working towards for almost forty years.

They will be the first passenger trains to run between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage since New Year’s Day 1972.  They will also be the first trains to run from London to Swanage since teatime on 1 January 1972 on the final operating day of British Rail’s Swanage branch.

Swanage Railway chairman Mike Whitwam said: “The running of these two charter trains from London to Swanage is the achievement of a dream that has been sustained and nurtured by several generations of determined Swanage Railway volunteers.

“For the first time since 1972, people will be able to take a train from London to Swanage.

“I would like to thank the charter train operators, UK Railtours, and Network Rail for their help in making these historic trains happen," said Mr Whitwam.
So the public can watch the historic arrivals at Corfe Castle and Swanage without the hassle of trying to find a parking space, a shuttle train service is being operated from the park and ride car park next to Norden station.

Using a heritage diesel multiple unit, the shuttle trains depart Norden Park and ride for Corfe Castle and Swanage at 11.10am, 12.05pm, 1pm, 5pm and 5.52pm. They depart Swanage for Corfe Castle and Norden Park and Ride at 10.45am, 11.40am, 12.35pm, 4.33pm and 5.25pm.

The historic ‘Purbeck Pioneer’ trains on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 April 2009 are set to run through Wareham at 12.57pm, Corfe Castle at 1.30pm and Harman’s Cross at 1.40pm before their arrival in Swanage at 1.50pm.

They will be running through Southampton at 11.45am, Brockenhurst at 12.10pm, Bournemouth at 12.28pm, Branksome at 12.33pm, Poole at 12.43pm, Hamworthy at 12.50pm and Wareham at 12.59pm.

The return ‘Purbeck Pioneer’ trains bound for London’s Waterloo station are due to depart Swanage at 4.10pm, passing Harman’s Cross at 4.20pm, Corfe Castle at 4.30pm and Wareham at 5.01pm.