26th March, 2024
Story and photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright,
Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.
Family fun is coming to the Swanage Railway between Good Friday, 29 March, and Bank Holiday Monday, 1 April, 2024, inclusive – with prizes to be won for keen-eyed train passengers spotting Easter Eggs along the line and at stations.
Entry is free for anyone who has a valid train ticket during the four days, including children aged under five who have a free My First Train Ride ticket.
Passengers will be able to collect an entry form from the Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage booking offices when they collect their tickets, purchased on-line, or purchase their train tickets.
Pencils costing £1 a pack will be available from booking offices so the entry forms can be completed by the participants – with the colouring in of the entry forms being an option.
Completed forms should be taken to Easter Egg hunt stalls at Swanage or Norden stations so the participants can claim a free prize. Each participant will only be able to win one prize.
Alternate steam and heritage diesel trains will be running between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross and Swanage throughout the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend.
Trains will be departing Norden between 10.40am and 4pm while trains will be departing Swanage between 10.00am and 4.40pm.
Celebrating the two thousand year old history of ball clay mining, the Purbeck Mining Museum will be open – next to Norden station – on all four days of the Easter bank holiday weekend between 11am and 4pm.
Volunteer Swanage Railway commercial director Robert Patterson said: “The Easter bank holiday is the perfect time for families to enjoy a day out in the Isle of Purbeck, experience a nostalgic ride on a steam or diesel train and spot Easter Eggs along the line, and at our stations, to claim a free prize.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer Lisa Gravett on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk.