Historic journey as steam train runs from Swanage to London (From Bournemouth Echo)

Historic journey as steam train runs from Swanage to London

12:05pm Sunday 29th November 2009

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IT was all aboard for dozens of excited steam enthusiasts on Saturday (November 28) as they jumped on the first locomotive to run direct from Swanage to London since 1966.

The historic whistle was blown at Swanage station at 8am and the 11-coach Capital Christmas Express picked up passengers in Poole and Bournemouth on its way to Waterloo.

The five-hour journey gave passengers the afternoon in London before leaving for its return to Purbeck at 5.15pm. Swanage Railway Trust chairman Steve Doughty said: “There was an excellent turnout and it was great to see so much enthusiasm for the service.

“The town of Swanage loves its railway and we hope things like this will only make it even more popular.”

The last time a steam train bound for London started its journey at Swanage’s Victorian terminal was September 4, 1966 – the last weekend of timetabled steam trains on the 10-mile branch line between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage.

The following day, British Rail replaced the steam trains, which had run since May 1885 when the Purbeck branch opened, with diesel units before the line closed in January 1972.

Saturday’s special service marked another step forward in restoring the link between the Purbeck branch and the mainline network.

Mr Doughty said: “We hope in time this becomes more of a regular thing and we can provide a daily service to Wareham.”

Saturday’s Christmas Express was pulled by the 1940s-built Southern Railway Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific express steam locomotive No 34067 Tangmere.

Swanage Railway then hosted a special mini-gala on Sunday with two sister locomotives of the Tangmere.

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cooperman, bournemouth says...
3:46pm Sun 29 Nov 09

this is a really nostalgic thing but why oh why dont they clean the carriages ,every time I have been in these carriages down to swanage it has been minging which really spoils the whole experience and it doesnt make sense when a crowd of enthusiasts have clearly taken a lot of pride in restoring this railway in the first place - the visual aspect of a fine steam locomotive up and running is a nice thing to see but poor presentation takes the shine off the whole experience