Swanage Railway begins first Wareham to Swanage services since 70s

Peter Frost was just 13 when he rode the last British Rail train service back in 1972.

The 65-year-old said he ‘felt the hand of history’ on his shoulder following a journey on the newly restored line this week.

He said: “It was wonderful when the train left the Swanage Railway single line and ran on to the main line at Worgret Junction for the final mile of the journey into Wareham.

“That first passenger train into Wareham was something that several generations of dedicated and determined Swanage Railway volunteers have worked towards since 1972.

“After seven miles of track from Swanage through Corfe Castle to Furzebrook had been lifted in just seven weeks, it seemed the branch line would never come back.

“Rebuilding the Swanage Railway, and returning trains to Wareham, seemed impossible to most people but we had a dream and wanted to try and make it come true.”

On Tuesday, the first service was waved off by the Mayor of Wareham, councillor Malcolm Russell.

Cllr Russell then welcomed the Mayor of Swanage, Tina Foster, when she arrived at 1pm on the first train from the seaside town to Wareham.

The services will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until September 10.

The first train will leave Wareham at 11.19am each day, with the last returning service departing Swanage at 4.20pm.

The heritage railway is using its restored and upgraded 1950s heritage diesel trains which were operated between the 1950s and 1990s by British Rail, on the 11-mile route.

From the end of April, South Western Railway passengers will be able to buy add-on tickets for Corfe Castle and Swanage with their mainline tickets.

The service is being operated and staffed by West Coast Railways with a conductor driver and conductor guard from Swanage Railway on each of the trains.