Rail history will be made today (1 April) when the first passenger train since 1972 runs direct from London to Swanage and back.
The special Railtour 'Purbeck Pioneer' service follows the reconnection of the restored Swanage railway to the National Rail network at Wareham to allow through passenger services.
The Swanage Railway Company with support from Dorset County Council has fought a long campaign to reconnect the line to the National Rail network. The council bought three Class 117 diesel units which could be used to run through services and was shortlisted to receive cash from the now defunct Strategic Rail Authority's Rail Passenger Partnerships scheme shortly before the RPP funding pot was withdrawn.
http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5764
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7975915.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...railway-line-to-reverse-Dr-Beechings-cut.html
The special Railtour 'Purbeck Pioneer' service follows the reconnection of the restored Swanage railway to the National Rail network at Wareham to allow through passenger services.
The Swanage Railway Company with support from Dorset County Council has fought a long campaign to reconnect the line to the National Rail network. The council bought three Class 117 diesel units which could be used to run through services and was shortlisted to receive cash from the now defunct Strategic Rail Authority's Rail Passenger Partnerships scheme shortly before the RPP funding pot was withdrawn.
http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5764
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7975915.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...railway-line-to-reverse-Dr-Beechings-cut.html
and I get to see 34070 Manston 