Swanage Railway facts for kids

Swanage station is decorated with railway memorabilia.

Swanage station

The Swanage Railway is a special old railway line in Dorset, England. It's about six miles (10 kilometers) long and lets you travel back in time! This railway runs through the beautiful Purbeck area, connecting towns like Swanage and Corfe Castle railway station. It's a "heritage railway," which means it uses old trains and stations to show what railways were like in the past.

What is the Swanage Railway?

The Swanage Railway follows the path of an old train line called the Purbeck branch line. It connects several stations: Norden railway station, Corfe Castle railway station, Harman's Cross railway station, Herston Halt railway station, and Swanage. It's a great way to see the countryside and visit historic places like Corfe Castle.

Connecting to the Main Line

For many years, the Swanage Railway was separate from the main national railway network. However, the line was reconnected to the main railway line at Wareham, Dorset. This connection was first used for delivering materials and for special trips. Now, it's even used for occasional special trains that travel all the way from London!

When Can You Ride?

You can ride trains on the Swanage Railway very often! They run every weekend and on Bank Holidays from mid-February until the end of the year. From April to October, trains run every day of the week. In December, you can even enjoy special "Santa Special" services, which are very popular with families.

Images for kids

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  A steam train pulls into Corfe Castle station with the castle in the background.