The Swanage Belle

A unique experience awaits those who join this day trip by steam train to Swanage. It uses the re-opened rail link from Wareham to the ‘Heritage’ Swanage Railway, which is available only to specially chartered trains. Swanage is a superb seaside destination where the railway station is situated close to the town centre.

We leave London Victoria station in the morning, hauled by our steam locomotive, and cross the river Thames at Battersea and at Barnes. We pass through Feltham and stop at Staines to pick up more passengers and then re-cross the river Thames. We join the South Western Main Line at Byfleet Junction and stop at Woking to pick up further passengers. At Winchfield, we stop for our steam locomotive to take on water. Our final stop to pick up passengers is at Basingstoke.

We continue on the West of England Main Line through Andover and Salisbury and arrive at Southampton where we are then diesel hauled towards Swanage. We pass through Bournemouth and Poole, where there are spectacular views of Poole Harbour, and continue to Wareham. We then leave the Weymouth Line at Worgret Junction and take the re-opened link to Norden and the Swanage Railway. There are magnificent views of Corfe Castle as we head towards Swanage along this attractive Heritage Railway. There will be around three hours for passengers to explore the pleasant seaside resort of Swanage, with its sandy beach and Victorian pier. Durlston Castle is in Durlston Country Park & Nature Reserve from where there are stupendous views along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park contains Anvil Point Lighthouse, the 40-ton stone Great Globe, fascinating artefacts from London, and an amazing diversity of wildlife. The Park is one mile from the town and can be reached by bus from the railway station or by walking via public footpaths.

Our train leaves Swanage steam hauled for the return journey late afternoon. We then take a different route from the outward journey, via Winchester and where we join the West of England Main Line at Worting Junction. We travel up the main line stopping at Basingstoke, Woking, and Staines, to set down passengers. The train is due to arrive in London Victoria around 22:10.

On Board Catering