The First Train to Wareham c
On Saturday the 14th of February 1976 the Swanage - Wareham Railway Group and the Southern Steam Trust was granted access to the station buildings at Swanage by the Town Council. This was Day One on site on the long journey to restore the railway line closed by BR four years previously and as a 14 year old I was there to help out. I became an active volunteer in 1979 and was on the loco crew with driver Geoff Pitman when the first passenger carrying train ran from under Northbrook Road Bridge to a point by the Council yard with diesel shunter MAY and the Bulleid composite brake coach, two trips for 25p! I remained a volunteer until 1984 but I still keep in touch with the Railway as a Premier Life Member and with many friends who were also there on the first day and early years. Every visit to Dorset has to include a trip on the Railway. Since those pioneering days the Railway has grown to become a premier preserved line. On the 13th of June 2017 the railway finally achieved its goal of operating a service to Wareham. I was one of the invited passengers, along with my elder brother who rode on the final BR train in 1972, to be on board THE first train to Wareham in 45 years. The first two trains of the day were for invited guests and the first train for fare paying passengers left Swanage at 2.20pm, I was on board that one as well. I also took the last train of the day to Wareham so I could catch my train onwards to Southampton Airport and my flight back to Scotland. What a day it was AND I was interviewed on the local radio and also for the local TV news!!
I have travelled on the branch before it closed in 1972, I think it was in the summer of 1971, I remember waving at the campers at the site at Woodyhyde. 12-13/6/2017
Read MoreI have travelled on the branch before it closed in 1972, I think it was in the summer of 1971, I remember waving at the campers at the site at Woodyhyde. 12-13/6/2017