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In January 1972 British Railways closed their Southern Region branch line from Wareham in Dorset to the coastal resort of Swanage. The trackwork was lifted and it seemed as though this would herald the end of rail travel through the Isle of Purbeck, until a group of enthusiasts began to pursue a plan to
re-instate the route, utilising heritage motive power.
Today's preserved Swanage Railway, the result of many years of hard work, stretches for six miles through the scenic countryside typical of this part of Britain. Structures and buildings have a distinctive appearance, all being constructed from local Purbeck stone.
Views of trains in this picturesque landscape almost take you back to the 1950s and 1960s, an illusion reinforced by the presence of locomotive classes that were once a common sight on the line. Trains are also captured working in the shadow of the ruins of the 11th century Corfe Castle.
Locomotives seen in action include:- British Railways Standard 2-6-4 4MT tanks numbers 80104 and 80078, M7 0-4-4 T number 30053, visiting Ivatt
2-6-2T number 41312 a selection of diesels based on the line and the Swanage Railway’s flagship locomotive, Bullied Light Pacific number 34028 Eddystone. |
