Next summer trains will run between Swanage and Wareham for the first time in 40 years.

The original rail line connecting the towns was ripped up by British Rail in 1972. The work took just seven weeks. 

Bournemouth Echo:

Swanage Railway volunteers started to rebuild the track in 1976 and its first passenger trains ran in 1979 on a few hundred yards of track.

Then in 1995, a service started running between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden. 

A two-year trial starting in 2016 will see diesel trains run by the Swanage Railway connecting with scheduled services by South West Trains at Wareham, on the Weymouth to London Waterloo line.

To celebrate, we've put together a a selection of images of Swanage Railway through the years.

Click here to see more photos of Swanage Railway through the years in a gallery 

If you have a picture of Swanage Railway to send us, email digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk