TRAIN enthusiasts have been given a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of an award-winning heritage line.
They are being offered the chance to see the Swanage Railway in all its glory during a special weekend.
Volunteers will show guests around Swanage, Herston, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden stations on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18 between 10am and 4pm.
Half-price standard travel train tickets for the weekend are available in advance from the Swanage Railway website for those living in the BH and DT postcodes, with proof of address needed.
There will be the chance to drive a 1950s heritage diesel shunter at Swanage for £20 and to watch a train guard or ticket inspector perform their duties for £5.
Demonstration narrow gauge diesel trains will also be operating between 11am and 3pm at the Swanage Railway Trust’s Purbeck Mining Museum, next to Norden station, which celebrates the 2,000-year history of Isle of Purbeck ball clay mining.
Event organiser and volunteer guard Clare Collins said: “Our community weekend is a different and interesting day out for all the family - a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of a working heritage railway, explore some of the many different roles required to operate the Swanage Railway and find out about varied volunteering opportunities.”
Swanage Railway Trust chairman Frank Roberts added: “It takes more people to operate, maintain and develop the Swanage Railway than many people realise.
“Our community weekend is the first of several special events across 2024 that we hope will be attractive to a wide variety of people of all ages.
“I have been lucky enough to have been a Swanage Railway volunteer for more than 40 years and I find volunteering very fulfilling and enjoyable while working with a splendid group of people of all ages.
“With the Swanage Railway contributing more than £15 million a year to the local economy, we are delighted to give people across the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset and beyond the chance to enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of a very special heritage railway.”
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