Back in about 1971 or thereabouts I attended a very early meeting to preserve the Swanage Railway. Sadly at the time my finances and resources were insufficient to maintain my involvement and membership lapsed a long time ago. There have been infrequent visits and of course the big news is that plans are now being put in place for re-opening to Wareham and a commuter service from Autumn 2015.
My outing commences with a class 444 as far as Winchester. My first ride in this direction in a long time. Although unable to see the identification we pass a new Colas Rail locomotive. In the fields the corn is ripening. There is huge clearance of the bank at Winchfield. There are new housing estates visible at most towns until Basingstoke.
Another class 444 from Winchester to Wareham. The growth of container traffic is evidenced by the changes at Southampton plus the various new loco stabling facilities. Our train loses a little time approaching Bournemouth.
At Wareham I can stand in the sun until the bus comes. A very helpful bus driver who makes sure I can find Norden station – my previous arrivals have been by car as this station was created to keep cars out of Corfe and Swanage and to encourage use of the train service. I just about make the 12:40 departure which consists of Class 33 6515 (which has now been named Lt Jenny Lewis RN; she was the daughter of one of the owning group; sadly she was the first UK Naval servicewoman to lose her life whilst on active service) plus 3 coaches.
At this time the Swanage runs an interesting timetable with two trains in service, one diesel headed and the other by a steam loco. The website normally identifies the locos in service but I remained in ignorance of the other one until we reach Harmas Cross where the trains cross on this timetable – to find it is Bulleid Pacific 34028 “Eddystone” hauling the steam service. 34028 is coming to the end of her ten year boiler ticket and is due for withdrawal later this year.
I travel through to Swanage and head for the Bird’s Nest Cafe for lunch which is a sausage in a brown bap. Service speed is not high (for the cafe) and the diesel departs before I can get more photos. More interestingly 60103 “Tornado” is on a visit to the Railway and I walk around to the overbridge at the end of the stations to obtain a photo – the first time I have seen the newest UK steam locomotive.
Finally I join the steam service with 34028 plus 5 coaches back to Norden. Loco runs round and I return to Corfe Castle and an ice cream.
Bus is late and at Wareham I can see the train in the station. Run like mad. Make the train and drop into a seat. On my way home.