Fireworks by train

Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are running intensive evening and late night train services between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston and Swanage – to take people to the resort’s annual fund-raising carnival and a series of firework displays.

The attended car park next to the Norden ‘park and ride’ station – just off the A351 from Wareham near Corfe Castle – will be open until 12 midnight during the fund-raising regatta and carnival which takes to the streets of Swanage from Saturday 25 July to Saturday 1 August 2009.

The regatta and carnival – whose volunteers donated £28,000 to local and national charities after last year’s event – includes three fireworks displays, on Saturdays 25 July and 1 August 2009 as well as Wednesday 29 July 2009.

The evening and late night trains between Swanage and Norden 'park and ride' until 12 midnight, will also be running on Saturday 8, 15, 22 and 29 August 2009 when further evening fireworks displays take place in Swanage.

Swanage Railway chairman Mike Whitwam said: “The aim of our special evening and late night train service is so that people attending the regatta and carnival events in Swanage – as well as the fireworks displays – can leave their cars at Norden and have a relaxing journey to Swanage by taking the train.

“Swanage Carnival is one of the most popular carnivals in the south of England with events running all week.

“This includes all types of music all over the town, competitions, the Swanage half-marathon, the carnival procession, sailing regatta and the world-famous Royal Air Force Red Arrows performing a display over the town on Saturday 25 July.

“Swanage’s annual regatta and carnival is a splendid community event whose team of dedicated volunteers last year raised £28,000 for local and national charities. It’s a great cause.

“Everyone on the Swanage Railway is delighted to support it by laying on these special trains so that Swanage does not become clogged with cars,” explained Mr Whitwam.

During the regatta and carnival – excluding the Saturday fireworks nights on 25 July and 1 August 2009 but including the fireworks nights after regatta and carnival on Saturday 8, 15, 22 and 29 August 2009 – trains depart Norden 'park and ride' at 6.43pm, 7.45pm, 8.55pm, 10.25pm and 11.35pm. Departures from Swanage are at 6.15pm, 7.15pm, 8.25pm, 9.55pm and 11pm.

Trains to the firework displays on Saturday 25 July and Saturday 1 August 2009 depart Norden 'park and ride' station for Swanage at 6.50pm, 7.22pm, 7.53pm, 8.23pm, 8.55pm, 9.25pm, 10.35pm, 11.05pm and 11.31pm.

On Saturday 25 July and Saturday 1 August 2009, trains depart Swanage for Norden at 6.15pm, 6.48pm, 7.20pm, 7.50pm, 8.20pm, 8.52pm, 10.10pm, 10.30pm, 11.02pm and 11.35pm.

Train tickets for unlimited evening travel on the day of issue after 6pm are £5 for adults and £3.50 for children.