Last Tuesday was the first day of the re-instated through service from Swanage to Wareham, the culmination of 45-year old ambition of those involved with the Swanage Railway, local councils etc since B.R. closed the branch in January 1972. The trains will run initially for a 2-year experimental period. Being such a historically significant event – and being a sunny day – I went out to photograph the first day of operation. Yes, I know it’s diesel, but a great achievement nonetheless.
The timetable gives operations on Tues/Wed/Thur/Sat/Sun each week, with 4 return trips per day – see Swanage Railway website for details. I shall have a trip over the line very shortly, and whilst I have reservations about the present timetable (all based on one shift, so no good for a whole day out) it’s very much a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ scenario.
Paul Blowfield
paul.milepost31@yahoo.co.uk
