As part of a community weekend to celebrate 50 years since the start of the rebuilding of Swanage station, there will be a photographic exhibition detailing the restoration of the heritage line and a reunion of some of the pioneering volunteers.
The special two day event at Swanage Railway in Dorset, takes place from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday 14th and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday 15th February 2026.
On Saturday 14th February 1976 the first volunteers started clearing up the derelict Swanage station
Half-price train tickets for Dorset residents
The heritage line has been painstakingly restored over 50 years after British Rail closed the Swanage branch line in January 1972 and lifted the track for scrap.
On Saturday 14th February 1976, the first volunteers gained access to a disused and boarded up Swanage station to start restoration work after the fledgling Swanage Railway Society was allowed access to the buildings by the council.
Some of the volunteers who started the rebuilding of Swanage station will be gathering at Corfe Castle station at 11 am on Saturday 14th February 2026, to recall that historic first weekend 50 years ago.
A special photographic exhibition covering the rebuilding and restoration of the Swanage Railway since 1976 will be taking place at Harman’s Cross station 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday 14th February and 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday 15th February.
During the community weekend, the public will also be given the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the award-winning heritage line, and Dorset residents can get half-price train travel tickets.
The community weekend is a chance to find out about volunteering at the railway
Go behind the scenes with a visit to a signal box
“Swanage Railway belongs to everyone”
Swanage Railway chief executive officer Abbie King said:
“This year is really special for us with our popular annual community weekend taking place on the 50th anniversary of the start of restoration work at Swanage station in February 1976.
“The special weekend is about opening our doors, celebrating 50 years of heritage and reminding the public that the Swanage Railway belongs to everyone – whether you have been involved in the heritage line for decades or are visiting for the first time.
“The community weekend is also a valuable opportunity to shine a light on the volunteers – who are at the heart of everything that the Swanage Railway does – as well as encouraging people to become involved.
“As well as getting to ride on our trains and enjoy activities, the community weekend gives the public the chance to get hands-on and see what it’s like to be a ticket inspector or train guard – offering a real insight into the people and skills behind the Swanage Railway.
“It’s a great way for anyone curious about volunteering to see first-hand how our dedicated teams of volunteers keep the Swanage Railway running safely.”
Hands-on experience in the cab of a diesel train
Purbeck Mining Museum and engine shed will be open at Norden
More things to do
- Drive a 1950s heritage diesel shunter at Swanage for £25, watch a train guard or on-train travelling ticket inspector perform their duties for £7.50 (additional train travel ticket purchase required) and enjoy a £7.50 behind the scenes tour of the award-winning mechanical signal boxes at Harman’s Cross or Corfe Castle stations
- Take part in a £5 behind the scenes look at the Swanage Railway Trust’s Purbeck Mining Museum and engine shed, next to Norden station, which explains and celebrates the 2,000 year history of ball clay mining in the Isle of Purbeck.
- Visit the 1960s heritage telephone exchanges at Corfe Castle station, between 10 am and 3 pm, as well as at Harman’s Cross station
- Have a go at signalling at the Corfe Castle signalling museum – housed in the station’s former British Railways signal box
- Chat to volunteers at Herston Halt – which is only accessible on foot or by train – about the development of the community halt, which was the Swanage Railway’s first station, since it welcomed its first train from Swanage in 1984
- Meet the restorers of heritage carriages and see some of the equipment that helps to lay and maintain the tracks at Corfe Castle station
- View at Corfe Castle station, a large historic 1940s crane that relaid the Swanage Railway tracks from Herston to Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle, Norden and beyond to near Furzebrook between 1985 and 2002
Swanage station in 1976 was left abandoned after the closure of the branch line by British Rail in January 1972
Fifty years later Swanage station has been restored with trains running on the heritage line between Swanage and Norden
Further information
- Dorset residents can buy half price community weekend train travel tickets online or on the day from Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage station ticket offices. Proof of Dorset residence has to be shown at a ticket office when collecting or buying tickets
- Book an experience in advance on the Swanage Railway website
