Charity pages

This month’s charity: Keeping The Days Of Steam Alive - The Swanage Railway

The Coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on the Swanage Railway and, like many businesses, it was forced to suspend all of its services a year ago when the first lockdown came into effect.

Following Government requirements to keep the public safe, we were subsequently able to operate some services during the peak of last summer and in to the autumn, although social distancing regulations significantly reduced capacity on trains. introduction of a new attraction to the Swanage Railway and the Isle of Purbeck - a Covid-safe train of steam and lights which was extremely popular.

The 80104 Corfe Castle on Thursday 25 March 2021 Image: © Andrew PM Wright

So popular that it is planned to offer these festive trains again in December 2021.

Following Government guidelines to keep the public safe, the fund-raising gift shop at Swanage station remained open while the steam trains were running but, sadly, it has been closed since the end of December.

Income was very badly affected by the Covid pandemic and had it not been for a successful Save Our Service appeal for donations, support arising from the Government’s Job Retention Scheme and a fund-raising team that successfully bid for a number of grants, the picture could have been very different.

It had been hoped to resume services between Swanage and Wareham in 2020 but this was not possible and, indeed, this is unlikely to be possible until 2022.

Despite the on-going difficulties of living with coronavirus – and following Government requirements and guidelines to keep people safe – volunteers and other staff have not been idle during the winter and have been carrying out essential maintenance work; work that can’t be carried out when trains are running. Major repairs were undertaken at the New Barn bridge – two miles from Swanage – which involved repairs to the structure and the track. The Swanage

Railway is responsible for a number of bridges that pass over roads and safety is of paramount importance.

Essential work has also been undertaken to maintain the signalling systems but one of the largest pieces of work undertaken was to replace a boiler on 1920s Southern Railway U Class locomotive 31806 with a refurbished boiler.

The work took three months, in sometimes inclement weather conditions, and the quality of the work produced is a credit to the team of skilled locomotive fitters.

With spring in the air, our dedicated staff and volunteers are now preparing for the Swanage Railway to re-open, in a Covid-safe manner with assigned socially distanced seating on the trains, on Monday 12 April. Steam locomotives have been cleaned, fuelled and lubricated prior to being tested. In order to ensure the competency of operational staff after long break, test trains – carrying no passengers - are now operating daily. It is not just locomotive crews that need to be refreshed but also signalmen, guards and those who staff in the booking offices, the shop and hopefully catering facilities – including the Wessex Belle train.

Ward Goodman would like to invite you to the annual Dorset Charities Conference which this year is being held on Wednesday 12th May 2021.

The event, now in its ninth year, will continue to connect charities with leading sector suppliers and a wealth of expert speakers, who will be conducting informative presentations, providing an opportunity for delegates to earn CPD credits where applicable.

The 80104 at Corfe Castle on Thursday 25 March 2021. Image © Andrew PM Wright

The optimism is tangible.

We hope that passengers will return this summer and allow us to return to normality, reminding people of what steam locomotives were really like while also helping to enhance the local economy.

More details of train services can be found by visiting our website at www.swanagerailway.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you to the Swanage Railway.

Andrew Moore, Finance Director. 29 March 2021.

Regular attendees look forward to meeting up each year for charity related updates. Current COVID-19 restrictions mean that the 2021 conference will take place online. Further information is available at www.wardgoodman.co.uk/dcc Or you can email charities@ wardgoodman.co.uk