30th December, 2013
Steam trains are running through the Isle of Purbeck every day until the end of Sunday, 5 January, 2014, and then - in a new departure from previous years - on weekends during the rest of the month.
Subject to availability, 1955 Brighton-built ex-British Railways Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104 will be hauling the trains from Swanage to Herston Halt, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden Park & Ride until the end of Sunday.
Unlike previous years, steam trains will also be running on Saturdays and Sundays throughout January and February - and every day between Monday and Friday, 17 to 21 February, 2014, inclusive.
On running days in January and February, 2014, the trains will be operating to the all-steam orange timetable with departures from Norden Park & Ride at 11.20am, 12.40pm, 2.40pm and 4pm.
The orange timetable train departures from Swanage station are at 10.40am, 12 noon, 2pm and 3.20pm.
In previous years, trains have not run from the end of the first week of January to the middle of February because of major engineering work on the Swanage Railway.
Over the past four years, these six-week 'winter shutdowns' have seen major trackbed drainage improvement work take place at Swanage station as well as the laying of a mile of replacement track between Herston Halt and Swanage station.
January and February, 2014, will see track improvement work take place at Harman's Cross and Swanage stations - as well as Herston Halt - during ten five-day Monday to Friday line possessions.
Swanage Railway train times - and special event details - are available online by following the menu links on the left or by telephone on 01929 425800.