26th August, 2015
Story and pictures by Andrew P.M. Wright.
Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer
Children travel for free all day on the award-winning Swanage Railway this August Bank Holiday Weekend – but only when Freedom of the Line travel tickets for adults are purchased on-line!
The promotion applies to £11.50 adult unlimited travel for the day Freedom of the Line tickets purchased on-line for use between Friday, 28 August, and Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August, 2015, inclusive. Please enter code KGF1 at the checkout stage when booking online.
Throughout the Bank Holiday Weekend – from the Friday through to the Monday – there will be five-carriage steam trains running from Norden park and ride and Swanage stations every 40 minutes from 10am through to 6pm.
Visitors can enjoy the free admission Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum next to Norden station on the Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
There is even the chance for adults to drive, under supervision, Victorian narrow gauge steam locomotive 'Cloister' at the museum for just £5 on the Sunday and the Bank Holiday Monday.
Named after a Victorian Grand National-winning horse, the 0-4-0 wheel arrangement saddle tank steam locomotive was built by Hunslet of Leeds in 1891 for the Dinorwic slate quarry – once the largest slate quarry in the world – at Llanberis in north Wales a cost of £500.
Winning a national award for quality last year – and exploring the 2,000 year history of ball clay mining with fascinating displays – the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum is the result of more than 12 years work by a small team of dedicated volunteers.
There is even the chance to go down an authentic mine tunnel at the museum and feel what it was like to be a ball clay miner.
Swanage Railway General Manager Matt Green said: "There is so much to enjoy on the Swanage Railway that we want to make sure that families have the best day out possible in the Isle of Purbeck.
"At Corfe Castle station, our passengers can also enjoy a museum in the station's restored Victorian goods shed with the fascinating exhibition and cinema coach next door – all of which have free admission with donations welcome.
"With attended all-day parking for just £3 in the Purbeck District Council car park next to Norden station, the Swanage Railway is the most enjoyable way to visit Corfe Castle and Swanage without the hassle of driving on the narrow and winding A351 road and finding somewhere to park," explained Mr Green.
After 35 years of rebuilding work, the Swanage Railway carries more than 200,000 passengers a year and has become the most visited paid-for attraction in Dorset.
Contributing around £14 million to the Purbeck economy, profits from the Swanage Railway's train services are ploughed back into the development and extension of the heritage railway and its facilities.
The Swanage Railway is run by some 500 regular volunteers – assisted by a team of more than 30 paid staff – and the value of the volunteers' work is some £2 million a year if they were paid.
The Swanage Railway defines a child as being aged from three to 15 years, inclusive.
Under threes travel for free – but are still issued with a ticket – while sixteen year olds and over are defined as adults.
Free child Freedom of the Line tickets are not valid outside the period 28 to 31 August, 2015, and they are not valid with any other Swanage Railway offer.
Swanage Railway train times and fares – and special event details – are online at www.swanagerailway.co.uk or by calling 01929 425800.