4th June, 2014
Children’s favourites Peppa Pig and her little brother George are visiting the volunteer-led Swanage Railway this weekend, 7 and 8 June, 2014 – to see their fans for two days of fun.
Peppa and George will be appearing at Harman's Cross station at intervals throughout both days of the special event – at 10.50am, 11.40am, 12.50pm, 2.20pm, 3.40pm and 4.30pm.
While Peppa visited the Swanage Railway last year, this weekend will see George visiting the award-winning heritage steam line – rebuilt from nothing since 1976 – for the very first time.
As well as coming face to face with Peppa and George, children will be able to watch Peppa and George DVDs at the station.
There will also be colouring activities, tea room refreshments and a shop selling Peppa Pig and George merchandise.
Swanage Railway General Manager Richard Jones said: "The Swanage Railway makes an ideal day out, with our convenient 350-space Park and Ride at Norden, just north of Corfe Castle, off the A351 from Wareham.
"Steam trains will be running between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage every 40 minutes between 10am and 5.20pm.
"The visit of Peppa and her little brother George is a chance for children to see their favourite pigs, against the exciting background of the Swanage Railway with its steam locomotives which seem to almost have a life of their own.
"We are excited about George's first visit Swanage Railway – a steam railway operating trains through five and a half miles of the beautiful Isle of Purbeck.
"It’s a great value day out, with Swanage Railway's Freedom of the Line ticket giving unlimited travel all day long, and the flexibility to enjoy the many attractions between Norden Park and Ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage," he added.
At Swanage station, the railway shop will be open while the nearby buffet coach will be serving hot and cold drinks and snacks.
There is also a buffet coach at Norden station, next to the attended park and ride car park.
The fascinating Victorian goods shed museum at Corfe Castle station will be open, along with the exhibition and cinema coach next door.
Richard Jones explained: "We are keen on introducing children to the delights of the Swanage Railway because youngsters are the future of our premier heritage line – and what better way of doing that than inviting children’s favourites Peppa Pig and her little brother George along for the weekend!
"Several of our volunteers became interested in the Swanage Railway after visiting it as youngsters.
"Some children may well end up joining our supervised Sygnets Youth Group when they enter their teens and then perhaps volunteer on the Swanage Railway – including helping to run the trains – when they reach the age of 16," he added.
Advanced train tickets for the weekend are available for purchase on-line – just visit the Swanage Railway's website for details – and visits to Peppa Pig and George are strictly by valid train ticket holders only.
All events and activities during the visit of Peppa Pig and George to the Swanage Railway are subject to availability.