THE general manager of Swanage Railway has left the heritage line to join a new railway in Yorkshire.

Richard Jones, who joined Swanage Railway in 2013 as general manager, made the journey north, to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, “purely for personal” reasons.”

Before departing on his new venture, Mr Jones said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the helm of the Swanage Railway. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to lead such a fantastic team.

“I would like to thank everyone for their encouragement and support during my time as general manager.”

Mr Jones says he is departing after two years in the job for personal reasons, as he regards Yorkshire his ‘spiritual home’, having been raised in Sheffield as a child.

Paying tribute to Mr Jones, Swanage Railway Company chairman Peter Sills said: “Richard has been with us for nearly two years and during that time he has achieved a huge amount and has contributed enormously into increasing the professionalism, customer offering and management of Swanage Railway.

“He will certainly be leaving Swanage Railway in better shape than it was before he arrived.

“The challenge of being a general manager on a heritage railway is not to be under-estimated and certainly the Swanage Railway is no exception.

“I would like to wish Richard all the best for the future and I am sure that the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway will benefit hugely from Richard’s vast experience and work ethic.”

Swanage Railway’s traffic and operations head Matt Green has taken up the interim general manager role, until a new general manager is appointed.