Swanage steam trains to mark start of Railway's 200th anniversary year

Volunteers at Dorset's Swanage Railway are to join with other train operators on New Year's Day (Wednesday 1st January) to mark the start of a year of celebrations for Britain's railways.

2025 marks 200 years of trains running across the country, with a national 'whistle off' planned at midday to kickstart the commemorations.

The crew of the Swanage's unique Victorian T3 class steam locomotive No. 563 will blow its whistle, as the engine departs Swanage station hauling a passenger train bound for Corfe Castle and Norden.

A ten-mile branch line railway linking Swanage and Corfe Castle with Wareham, on the main railway line to London, was first opened in 1885.

That helped to turn the town from one associated with fishing and quarrying into a popular seaside resort, while Corfe Castle became a desirable day-trip destination.

Driver Billy Johnson, a dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer for more than 15 years, said:

“I am delighted to be taking part in the national ‘whistle off’ for the Railway 200 celebrations which will be a very special occasion. It’s an honour and a privilege.

“There is so much to celebrate in terms of what the railways – both standard and narrow gauge – have contributed to the prosperity and development of the country, as well as the Isle of Purbeck, over the past 200 years.”

Swanage Railway Trust chair, Frank Roberts, said: “The Swanage Railway is proud to be marking the start of the Railway 200 celebrations highlighting the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway which changed Britain and the world.

“Railway 200 celebrates the past, present and future of rail and we are delighted that our two museums – the museum in the restored goods shed at Corfe Castle station and the Purbeck Mining Museum next to Norden station - showcase the important contributions that railways, both standard gauge and narrow gauge, have made to the Isle of Purbeck across almost two centuries.

“The controversial closure and demolition of the Swanage branch line in 1972 –and its slow rebirth as the Swanage Railway since 1976 – is part of the stirring Railway 200 story. The Swanage branch line took seven short weeks to demolish and 30 long years to rebuild against the odds.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.