Swanage Railway is a heritage steam railway that runs through the Isle of Purbeck. At 6 miles long the railway follows the route of the old Purbeck branch line which was closed in 1972.
The line joins Swanage, Herston Halt, Harmans Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden Park & Ride and trains run every weekend and Bank Holiday from mid-February to the end of the year and every day of the week between April and October.
On April 1st 2009 the “The Purbeck Pioneer” a diesel-hauled railtour ran from London Victoria to Swanage via Wareham. Departing from Victoria Station at 8:45am it arrived in Swanage just after 2:00pm. This was the first public passenger service to run between Wareham and Swanage since 1972.
Stations
Swanage
The Swanage railway station is located in the middle of Swanage at the junction with Kings Road, Rempstone Road and Station Road. Originally the terminus for the London and South Western Branchline from Wareham the station is built in grey Purbeck stone with two platform tracks on either side of a single passenger platform. The station was originally constructed in 1885 and was later extended in 1937 to accommodate the expanding tourist traffic.
Herston Halt
Herston Halt station is located at the western end of Swanage just off of Washpond Lane. The station was opened in 1984 as a temporary terminus for the heritage railway. Originally built using a simple wooden construction the station is now being reconstructed with a concrete platform. Train services stop at Herston Halt on request only.
Harmans Cross
Located in the village of Harmans Cross half way between Swanage and Corfe Castle this station was not originally a part of the Purbeck line but was opened by the heritage railway in 1989 as a temporary terminus. The station was updated in 1995 following the extension of the line to Corfe Castle with a new signal box and passing loop added. This allowed Harmans Cross to be used as the main crossing point for trains between Swanage and Norden .
Corfe Castle
Opened in 1885 the station at Corfe Castle acted as an intermediate station on the London and South Western Railway line between Wareham and Swanage. Located on the eastern side of the village near the iconic Corfe Castle the station has two platforms joined by an overhead bridge. Corfe Castle station is also the home of the Railway Museum which is open most days.
Norden Park & Ride
Currently the terminus at the northern most end of the Swanage Railway, Norden station is located about 1 kilometer to the north of Corfe Castle village. The station was not a part of the original London and South Western Railway line but was opened in 1995 to reduce the traffic congestion at Corfe Castle. The site is home to the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum.
Videos
Swanage Steam Railway
See the Swanage Steam Railway.
The Purbeck Pioneer
See the Purbeck Pioneer on its first trip from London to Swanage on 1st April 2009.
Swanage 35 Gala
A1 Steam Loco Trust No. 60163 'Tornado' at Swanage Railway on 12 July 2014