Swanage Railway volunteers are once again opening the doors to one of Dorset’s most cherished heritage attractions with a two-day Community Weekend on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd February 2025, from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can explore behind the scenes of the award-winning heritage railway at Swanage, Herston, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle, and Norden stations.
For Dorset residents, half-price tickets are available in advance at swanagerailway.co.uk or on the day at Norden, Corfe Castle, and Swanage stations (proof of residence required).
Behind-the-Scenes Access
Visitors can drive a 1950s diesel shunter at Swanage for £20, shadow a train guard or ticket inspector for £7.50, or take a guided tour of the historic signal boxes at Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle (£7.50).
For the first time, pre-booked tours will be available at Swanage Railway’s steam locomotive engineering works, with a heritage bus service transporting visitors from Swanage and Norden stations.
Alongside the ticketed experiences, a range of free activities (donations welcome) will run across the weekend:
Explore 1960s heritage telephone exchanges at Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle stations (subject to volunteer availability).
Try your hand at signalling at the Corfe Castle signalling museum.
Meet carriage restorers and sit inside a historic 1940s railway crane at Corfe Castle.
See narrow-gauge diesel train demonstrations at the Purbeck Mining Museum (next to Norden station).
At Herston Halt, visitors can also chat with volunteers about the development of the station, which only started welcoming trains in 1984.
It’s all about the volunteers
Swanage Railway Trust chairman Frank Roberts has been a dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer for more than 40 years: ‘It takes more people to operate, maintain and develop the Swanage Railway than many people realise. We are delighted to give people across the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset and beyond the chance to enjoy a behind the scenes view of a very special heritage railway that has been rebuilt since 1976.’
For full details and booking information, visit swanagerailway.co.uk.
