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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Passenger steam train runs again | Passenger steam train runs again |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A steam train is taking passengers from London to Swanage in Dorset for the first time in over 40 years. | A steam train is taking passengers from London to Swanage in Dorset for the first time in over 40 years. |
| The last steam-hauled passenger train took enthusiasts on a rail tour of the Swanage Railway in 1967. | The last steam-hauled passenger train took enthusiasts on a rail tour of the Swanage Railway in 1967. |
| British Rail shut the Purbeck branch line, from Wareham to Swanage, in 1972 and lifted seven miles of track. | British Rail shut the Purbeck branch line, from Wareham to Swanage, in 1972 and lifted seven miles of track. |
| The line has since been restored by enthusiasts. The steam-hauled train left London Victoria at 0805 BST and was due to arrive at 1315 BST. | The line has since been restored by enthusiasts. The steam-hauled train left London Victoria at 0805 BST and was due to arrive at 1315 BST. |
| 'Against the odds' | 'Against the odds' |
| Campaigners from the Swanage Railway Trust fought for the line to be rebuilt and watched it grow mile by mile over the years. | Campaigners from the Swanage Railway Trust fought for the line to be rebuilt and watched it grow mile by mile over the years. |
| Mike Whitwam, Swanage Railway Trust chairman, said: "The first steam trains between London and Swanage is something that several generations of determined Swanage Railway volunteers have been working towards, against all the odds, for almost 40 years." | Mike Whitwam, Swanage Railway Trust chairman, said: "The first steam trains between London and Swanage is something that several generations of determined Swanage Railway volunteers have been working towards, against all the odds, for almost 40 years." |
| History was also made on 1 April when the first passenger through train since 1972, called the Purbeck Pioneer, went from London to Swanage. | |
| Trains have been running on parts of the preserved line for some years but these are the first complete through services. | Trains have been running on parts of the preserved line for some years but these are the first complete through services. |
| After Saturday's service has arrived at Swanage, a diesel engine will then take the train back at London Victoria. | After Saturday's service has arrived at Swanage, a diesel engine will then take the train back at London Victoria. |
| On Bank Holiday Monday, a diesel engine will take the service from London Waterloo to Swanage, where the steam engine will then take the train back to Waterloo. | On Bank Holiday Monday, a diesel engine will take the service from London Waterloo to Swanage, where the steam engine will then take the train back to Waterloo. |
| A 1940s-built Southern Railway Bulleid Pacific steam locomotive, named Tangmere after the West Sussex Battle of Britain airfield, is being used to pull the 12-coach Dorset Coast Express train. | A 1940s-built Southern Railway Bulleid Pacific steam locomotive, named Tangmere after the West Sussex Battle of Britain airfield, is being used to pull the 12-coach Dorset Coast Express train. |