Whistle Up

WHISTLE UP FOR RAILWAY 200

Led by the Heritage Railway Association, the national New Year Whistle-Up event will see heritage railways, museums, and enthusiasts across the UK come together at 12 noon on New Year's Day to sound steam train whistles to officially mark the 200th anniversary of railways in this country.

The Swanage Railway will play its part in launching Railway 200 on Wednesday, 1 January, 2025, with the whistle of its unique Victorian T3 steam locomotive No. 563 being blown as the restored engine hauls the 12.00 noon train out of Swanage station bound for Herston Halt, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden. 

Visitors are invited to experience this historic moment first-hand, joining our team at Swanage station to celebrate the enduring legacy of rail travel and its importance to communities past and present.

CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF RAILWAY HERITAGE

The national Railway 200 programme is a collaborative effort designed to connect people to Britain’s incredible railway heritage. 

It will feature a series of events, exhibitions, and activities across the country throughout 2025 - celebrating both the engineering achievements of the past and the vibrant heritage railway movement today.

For the Swanage Railway, participating in Railway 200 aligns perfectly with its own mission to preserve and celebrate historic transport. 

The railway through the Isle of Purbeck has been rebuilt since 1976 and has been a cornerstone of Dorset cultural landscape for decades, offering visitors a nostalgic and educational journey through the stunning Isle of Purbeck. 

Narrow gauge railways also played at important part in the development of industrial railways across the country and the Swanage Railway's Purbeck Mining Museum - next to Norden station - re-creates the historic and fascinating narrow gauge railways that carried ball clay from the mines and operated in the Isle of Purbeck throughout the 19th Century; the last of them closing at Norden in 1970. 

JOIN US FOR THE RAIL 200 LAUNCH EVENT

Visitors are encouraged to join the Swanage Railway at 12 noon on New Year’s Day to witness the unique Victorian T3 steam locomotive sound its whistle at Swanage station and be part of this national celebration. 

The Swanage Railway's part in launching the start of the Rail 200 celebrations is join together, reflect on the railway’s transformative effect on the Isle of Purbeck - both then and now - and look forward to an exciting year of Railway 200 activities across the country.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• 12:00 noon whistle sounding: our unique Victorian T3 class steam locomotive will join the national whistle blowing.

• Steam train rides: celebrate the occasion with a ride through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck between Swanage, Herston Halt, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden.

ABOUT THE RAILWAY 200 CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Railway 200 is a national campaign honouring 200 years of railways in Britain. 

With a focus on celebrating innovation, heritage, and community, the campaign will engage the public through a series of events across the country. 

The Rail 200 programme will highlight how railways shaped the modern world and continue to inspire future generations.

As part of Railway 200, the Swanage Railway looks forward to staging themed events and experiences throughout 2025, offering visitors even more opportunities to explore and celebrate this remarkable 200 year milestone as well as the delights of the restored Swanage Railway which has been steadily rebuilt since 1976.