ALADDIN'S CAVE OF BOOKS, MAGAZINES, DVDs AND TRANSPORT EPHEMERA COMES TO CORFE CASTLE STATION

Story and Photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright.
Swanage Railway Official Photographer and Press Officer.

An Aladdin's Cave of fascinating books, magazines, DVDs, transport ephemera and even jigsaws comes to Corfe Castle station on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 July, thanks to a special annual sale.

Open from 9.30am to 4pm on both days, the fund-raising event for the Swanage Railway takes place in the yard next to the newly refurbished good shed museum, exhibition coach and cinema coach.

With the prices for books starting from just £1, admission to the railway and transport book sale in and around the Book Wagon – a restored Edwardian railway box van dating from the era of the London and South Western Railway – is free.

Swanage Railway General Manager Matt Green said: "The Swanage Railway gratefully accepts donations of railway and transport-themed books, magazines, DVDs, videos, jigsaws and ephemera.

"Items received are carefully checked and used first and foremost to add to our extensive archive.

"Duplicate or surplus items are sold to raise funds for a variety of railway projects, including the restoration of locomotives and rolling stock.

"The Swanage Railway is very grateful to its many supporters," explained Mr Green.

The green timetable is in operation during the book sale weekend with an alternate steam and heritage diesel rail car trains running every 40 minutes throughout the day.

Trains depart Swanage station for Corfe Castle between 10am and 4.40pm while trains depart Norden station for Corfe Castle between 10.40am and 5.20pm.

There is no car parking at Corfe Castle station but car parking is available off West Street in Corfe Castle.

Visitors to the railway and transport book sale can also park at the attended Purbeck District Council car park next to Norden station and take the train to Corfe Castle.

Swanage Railway train times – and special event details – are available online at www.swanagerailway.co.uk or by telephone on 01929 425800.