Volunteers have reopened a railway line reconnecting a seaside town to the national network, more than 37 years after it was cut off.
More than 4,000 people in Swanage, Dorset, have helped rebuild the seven-mile line from Wareham. They scavenged scraps to restore the track, rebuilt two dilapidated stations and constructed another three.
The chartered services leave from Victoria pulled by a diesel locomotive.
It is the first time since 1972 that trains have been able to run all the way from London to Swanage and the volunteers hope the line will be electrified and regular services will resume.
Mike Whitham, the chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust, said: “It is what we have been working 35 years for – the achievement of a long-held and treasured dream. The railway has been rebuilt from nothing, bit by bit, bolt by bolt.”
Archive for February 1st, 2010
London to Swanage
Posted in Fun Stuff, Historical, Holidays, Travel, tagged diesel locomotives, dorset, http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/, London, london to swanage, railway line, Swanage Railway Trust, Victoria Station, volunteers, wareham on February 1, 2010| Leave a Comment »