A HERITAGE railway has hosted a government minister in an informal visit.
The minister of state for rail and HS2, Huw Merriman MP, visited Swanage Railway and travelled on its trial diesel train service from the main line at Wareham.
South Dorset MP Richard Drax and Dorset Council transport portfolio holder Councillor Ray Bryan visited the railway with the minister.
The visit began with a tour of Wareham station, which was built in the 1880s, from Purbeck Community Rail Partnership chair Mike Whitwam and councillor Beryl Ezzard, of the Friends of Wareham Station.
Then, the group hopped aboard the 11.19am heritage diesel train service from Wareham to Swanage with railway trust chairman Gavin Johns.
At Swanage station, Mr Merriman MP was greeted by volunteers before getting to ride on the footplate of a 1940s steam locomotive ‘Eddystone’ to Corfe Castle.
Here, he toured the Railway Trust’s museum and visited the station signal box, before returning to Wareham on the heritage diesel service.
Swanage Railway Trust chairman Gavin Johns said: “We were delighted to welcome Huw Merriman MP on an informal visit to the Swanage Railway.
“We were able to show the minister our trial heritage diesel train service from the main line at Wareham down to Corfe Castle and Swanage which has been achieved thanks to partnership working with the Purbeck Community Rail Partnership and a £1.8 million grant from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund.
“The minister was impressed by the number of long-serving volunteers as well as the professionalism, commitment and hard work shown by everyone that he met.
“The minister was also introduced to guards and signalmen who explained their work in helping to operate the Swanage Railway safely and efficiently.”
Volunteer signalman Gavin added: “The minister asked that his grateful thanks be passed on to everyone involved in making his visit to the Swanage Railway so informative and enjoyable.
“The minister was genuinely interested in everything that he saw while also being keen to meet our dedicated volunteers and staff who help to operate and maintain the Swanage Railway in an enthusiastic and friendly manner.”
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