Swanage Railway faces the most crucial few months in its history, influential decision makers were told on a special train trip.

On Friday representatives of Network Rail, South West Trains, councils and other bodies were brought together as the efforts to reconnect the branch line with the national rail network near a make-or-break point.

Within the next few months, the Purbeck Rail Partnership must show it has the £2-3m needed to be included in a Network Rail re-signalling programme between Poole and Wool set for 2012.

If it can, it will open the door for regular services between Wareham and Swanage to be reinstated, but if it can’t, the line could remain unused between Norden and Wareham for decades to come.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Mike Whitwam said: “The main aim of the original Swanage Railway Society way back in the 1970s was to reinstate the loop between Swanage and Wareham.

“Bit by bit we have rebuilt the line up to Norden. The next step is to go all the way. The big question is the funding, which is between £2-3m just for the signalling.”

Leaving from Norden, the heritage railway’s terminus, guests were taken along the three-and-a-half mile stretch to Worgret Junction, where the branch meets the main line.

The diesel unit pulled up just yards from the main line and a passing South West Trains service demonstrated just how tantalisingly close the dream is. Although the track is in place, regular services cannot run along the line until signalling is upgraded.

With works planned for the main line in 2012, it presents a golden opportunity for the railway to reach its ultimate goal since the branch was closed in 1972.

If the money cannot be found, the chance will go begging and it could be 40 years before another re-signalling project comes along.

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