Swanage Railway, Heritage railway in Purbeck, England
Swanage Railway is a heritage railway in Dorset, England, operating steam and diesel locomotives on nearly six miles of track between Norden station and the coastal town of Swanage. The route passes through open grazing land and hill ridges of the Purbeck peninsula, stopping at several stations with restored buildings from the British railway era.
The line opened in 1885 as a branch connection linking the settlements of the Purbeck peninsula to the national railway network. After closure in 1972, volunteers gradually bought back track and stations and resumed operations for heritage services.
The name comes from Swanage, the coastal town at the southern end of the line where fishermen once moored their boats beside the railway tracks. Locals today use the trains for trips inland, while visitors admire the carriages with wooden benches and brass fittings from the Victorian era.
Travelers reach the railway from Purbeck Park car park at Norden station or after a five-minute walk from Victoria Avenue car park to Swanage station. On operating days trains run in both directions along the full route, with passengers able to board and alight at each station.
Corfe Castle station sits directly below the medieval fortress ruins and allows passengers to view the fortification walls during the stop. On some weekends trains run through to the adjoining main line at Wareham, so travelers can reach the national railway connection without changing.
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