Swanage Railway volunteers have produced new fundraising videos to reveal an insight into the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The railway on the Isle of Purbeck sees more than 200,000 passengers a year and contributes more than £15m a year to the local economy.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Gavin Johns said: “Taking 40 years to rebuild and reconnect with the national railway network near Wareham, the Swanage Railway is facing financial jeopardy and is engaged in the most critical fight in its history – the survival of the heritage line is on a knife-edge. Unlike never before, the public’s help and support is absolutely crucial if the Swanage Railway’s £360,000 ‘Save Our Service’ appeal target is to be achieved by the Autumn,” added Mr Johns who is also a volunteer signalman on the heritage railway.

Filmed whilst following social distancing, Survival on a Knife Edge and Standing Together demonstrates the support for the heritage line.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “If this line went, I dread to imagine how many businesses would be affected, particularly in the hospitality area. It would be catastrophic.”

Mayor of Swanage Mike Bonfield said: “The railway is a big organisation in Swanage but we have many others and we need to pull together to protect the things we have for our visitors and locals alike and this is not just for Swanage, it’s for the whole Purbeck area.”

Swanage Town Council tourism committee chair Caroline Finch explained: “I would like to see us all come together and really help Swanage Railway out of this crisis. I think we need to put minds and hearts together and look at different ways of helping.”

Gavin Johns explained: “Our staff and volunteers desperately need support and are imploring the public to donate to our ‘Save Our Service’ appeal and share the Swanage Railway’s plea to spread the message. The Swanage Railway – and its place in the Purbeck community – needs saving now. In line with the Government’s guidance, the Swanage Railway has been closed for since Thursday, 19 March, 2020, and that has left it without valuable income. Even when services can eventually restart, social distancing measures will keep its customers safe but restrict its earnings and increase the railway’s financial challenges.

“Our new two behind the scenes videos help the public to understand some of the hidden costs behind mothballing a steam railway and illustrate just how much the Swanage Railway means to the Purbeck community – why it’s so vital for people do as much as they can to help ensure its existence,” added Mr Johns.

The Save Our Service Appeal had raised £188,000 appeal by the 10th June 2020 and is halfway to the target of £360,000.

Gavin Johns explained: “To keep the railway in a care and maintenance state costs £46,000 a month, its overheads having been reduced as much as possible with nearly all the 46 paid full and part-time staff having been furloughed and a skeleton staff carrying out vital maintenance work.

“Normally, it costs £200,000 a month to run the Swanage Railway and by the end of June its train services would have brought in £1.1 million so the railway is at a significant loss without that passenger revenue.

“That’s why donations offer such a vital lifeline to help its recovery for the benefit of the Isle of Purbeck economy,” added Mr Johns.

To increase public awareness, two large banners with the message ‘Purbeck’s Railway needs your help to survive – go to saveourservice.co.uk’ are being put up at Swanage and at Corfe Castle.

To make a donation, visit their website at www.saveourservice.co.uk

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