The Swanage Railway - pictures

Index page Swanage, Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks

On a warm summer evening in June 2007, the Wessex Belle dining train awaits departure from Swanage for it's second round trip on the line. The Belle has a fully-equipped kitchen car with meals prepared from fresh on the train. Since May 2007, the dining service has been run by SR volunteers supported by local chefs.

All appears quiet in this view of the Belle in September 2007. Inside, however, diners will have finished their main courses - perhaps illuminated by an attractive sunset - and will soon be served the sweet course followed by coffee and mints. A nice touch is that the Belle kitchen always provides the signalmen at Swanage and Corfe with a meal. So at Corfe, the passenger may spot the signalman not only carrying a single-line token, but also a clean plate to be returned to the kitchen!

The 2008 Diesel Gala and Beer Festival proved a great success, helped by warm and dry weather. Around 50 barrels were drained over the three days of the event. This photo, taken in the beer tent on the Saturday evening (10th May), shows no less than three railway Directors/Council of Management members helping to serve the various brews.

Harman's Cross station was built by SR volunteers from nothing - there was no station here under BR. It is seen here during a quiet period between services on 10th May 2008 - during the Diesel Gala.

The ridge between Corfe and Swanage (Nine Barrow Down) makes for an excellent walk, with views over Poole Harbour to the north and over the valley and the railway looking south. On this occasion, I walked to Swanage & used the train to return to Norden. A morning service to Swanage is just about to leave Corfe in this view on 26th August 2007.

Track work at Swanage on 19th January 2008. A new crossover to give direct access to the bay platform can be seen under construction. The photo report on the SR website shows in detail how much work had to be completed before services from Swanage could resume on 9th February.

At the end of the day in November 2006.

A Virgin Voyager arriving at Harman's Cross on 8th September 2002. The train had travelled in over the then new connection with the main line; another milestone for the Swanage Railway. Chris Green, in a speech on the platform at Swanage, hoped that this development would be part of the bigger picture of, 'rolling back Beeching'. This was intended as a general statement since this line was not listed for closure in the 1963 report.

There is of course a saying that, 'from little acorns mighty oaks do grow'. Having recommenced train services from Swanage in 1979, the railway had developed into a (metaphorical) sapling by the time of it's first full year of services to Herston (above), and from today's timetable, it can be seen that the 'tree' is progressing well. However, it's crown will not be fully formed until it reaches the dizzy 'height' of Wareham! For comprehensive news, pictures and visitor information, visit the Swanage Railway website.