Date: 13/06/2017

The first regular passenger train service between the mainline and a Dorset seaside resort has been reconnected after four decades. The original rail line from Swanage to Wareham was closed by British Rail and ripped up in seven weeks in 1972. Volunteers rebuilt the 5.5-mile (8.8km) stretch from Swanage to Norden over 30 years and have been running it as a tourist attraction since the 1990s. The first timetabled train ran along the full 10-mile (16km) route earlier. Bob Richards, who signalled the last British Rail train from Swanage to Wareham 45 years ago, was one of dozens of people to wave off the maroon diesel train. He said: 'To see it return after all these years is amazing - absolutely incredible.'

External links

Heritage rail reconnects to mainline

BBC News

The original rail line was closed by British Rail and ripped up in seven weeks in 1972.

Related images

Standing under the canopy at Swanage station in April 1981 with a two coach train waiting at the platform.
Location: Swanage
Company: London and South Western Railway
/04/1981 John McIntyre

Standard class 4 no 80078 with a train on the Swanage Railway, near Corfe Castle, on 29 June 2000.
Location: Corfe Castle
Company: Swanage Railway
29/06/2000 Peter Todd

Ex-GWR Collett 5600 series 0-6-2T no.6695 arrives at Corfe Castle with a service to Swanage on 19 October 2014. [See image 46387]
Location: Corfe Castle
Company: Swanage Railway
19/10/2014 John McIntyre