One of the first visitors through the doors for Swanage Railway’s community weekend were invited guests Swanage town mayor Tina Foster and her consort Les Parkinson, who got to find out what it takes to run a heritage railway.
With reduced price tickets for Dorset residents, the community weekend which took place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd February 2025, aimed to show locals all the roles they could get involved in as a volunteer on the Swanage branch line.
Swanage town mayor Tina Foster (middle) has a go as a station guard, with her consort Les Parkinson (right)
An iconic sight in Corfe Castle
Ride on a vintage double decker
There were chances to drive a 1950s heritage diesel shunter at Swanage station, help a train guard on the platform or be an on-train travelling ticket inspector.
There were also tours of the signal boxes at Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle stations, and a vintage double decker bus to transport visitors to Swanage Railway’s engineering works on the outskirts of Swanage.
Signing up new recruits!
Swanage Railway Trust chair Frank Roberts (left) with Swanage town mayor Tina Foster (middle) and the mayor’s consort Les Parkinson (left)
“Rebuilt from nothing since 1976”
Chair of Swanage Railway Trust, Frank Roberts said:
“We were delighted to welcome the Swanage town mayor Tina Foster and her consort Les Parkinson to our annual community weekend which gave residents from across Dorset a rare – and fascinating – look behind the scenes while also marking the start of our new operating season.
“She was interested to learn how many people – and roles – are required to maintain and operate a safe train service on a heritage railway that has been rebuilt from nothing since 1976 after being controversially closed by British Rail in 1972.
“At Swanage, the mayor met the crew of a steam locomotive, learnt about the duties that are undertaken by the guard – who is responsible for the safety of everyone on the train – and met some of our dedicated volunteers who help to raise money for the Swanage Railway Trust.”
Diesel trains were in action over the weekend
The mayor travelled on the branch line on a steam train
Redecorated booking hall
Also a highlight of the visit was viewing the newly renovated and redecorated booking hall at Swanage station which was originally built in the 1930s.
The mayor then took a steam train up to Corfe Castle station, met a travelling ticket inspector and spoke to porters on the platform, as well as members of Swanage Railway’s track, crane and telecommunications departments before being welcomed in the signal box.
The opportunity to operate a 1950s heritage diesel shunter was popular
Clare Collins, event organiser and volunteer train guard
“Super busy on Saturday”
Organising the weekend event was Swanage Railway volunteer train guard Clare Collins. She said:
“I was really pleased with how the community weekend went. It was super busy on Saturday but less so, on the Sunday, which I think was down to the weather.
“The aim was to make everyone aware of all the roles that they can volunteer for on the railway, whether that’s as a ticket inspector, guard, or driver. The experiences which gave people a taste for the jobs were really well supported with plenty of advanced bookings but also more bookings on the day.
“It was really good to see lots of children taking an interest, as well as adults. And it was lovely to see lots of locals on the trains, although many came from further away like Reading.
“In many ways, Swanage Railway is really a living, working museum so although it’s fun to ride on a train, it’s also educational, showing how people travelled and worked in Victorian times.
“I’d really encourage people to find out more about volunteering on the railway – a couple of weekends ago I helped out at Norden with our youth group the Cygnets, clearing some of the overgrown vegetation and undertaking some maintenance work.
“It was quite cold and grey but there was a great atmosphere, as we worked as a team – it really can be rewarding even in the winter months!
An opportunity to get your hands on the controls in a cab
Investigating how the signalling system works
Community weekend growing in popularity
The idea of a Swanage Railway community weekend started a couple of years ago and has been developed over time. So will there be another similar event next year?
Slightly exhausted after a busy weekend, Clare said:
“Well now isn’t probably the best time to ask me, but I imagine it will happen again!”
Further information
- More about volunteering at Swanage Railway is on its website
More photos
How we used to work in the past in the station master’s office
The mayor gets to chat to volunteers at Corfe Castle station
Volunteers can work their way up to driving a steam train
Letting the train take the strain in a heritage carriage
The Purbeck Mining Museum at Norden opened its doors for the weekend
Explaining how it all works at Swanage Railway!
