The roots of the Swanage Railway as we know it now can be traced back to the run down of the Swanage branch in the years after the Beeching cuts in the 1960's. Whilst the line survived these closures, a cycle of falling traffic and progressive withdrawal of services eventually led to closure in 1972.
Momentum was quickly established to try and take over the branch and press for the return of a mainline connection. These activities became known as the Swanage Railway Project. Despite local and national attempts to first prevent closure and then lobby for re-opening, this was not enough to prevent much of the track being lifted. As a result to-day's Swanage Railway is really a railway built from scratch. The early days of the project saw several groups springing up with similar aims. These quickly came together and ultimately resulted in the formation of the Southern Steam Trust (SST). This charitable body was controlled by a number of Trustees who guided the Project.
Today the railway runs from its park and ride station at Norden through to its main headquarters at Swanage via the delightful Corfe Castle and Harman’s Cross stations. The total journey time from one end of the line to the other is around half an hour and there’s plenty of stunning Dorset countryside to view along the way. If you’re into your walking there’s fantastic views to be had behind Corfe Castle by climbing the West Hill footpath, which is clearly shown on ordinance survey maps. The best shots at this location are either taken at sunrise whilst the mist lifts around the ruins of the castle or latter on in the day once the sun has moved round.
If you were looking for steamy, atmospheric shots a trip wouldn’t be complete without an early morning visit to the viewing gallery opposite the steam sheds at Swanage. Alternatively, there’s a fantastic looking-away shot that can be had a Harmans Cross station, halfway down the line, of trains passing one another with the signal box framed on the left.
There are masses of photo opportunities on the Swanage railway for landscape and documentary photographers. The winter months will give you a better chance to capture atmospheric shots of steam evaporating and occasionally special photographic charters are laid on so keep up to date by visiting their website, which is refreshed regularly.
A great location, with heaps of potential, given the right weather conditions.
For more information on the park and ride scheme and the timetable, visit http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/n-timetable.htm
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