Next weekend, as part of its third annual ‘Roads to Rail' event, Swanage Railway volunteers are holding a nostalgic fund-raising steam rally next to Norden station near the village of Corfe Castle.
Between Friday, 23rd June and Sunday, 25th June re-creations of a bygone age will bring the Isle of Purbeck to life with up to 50 traction and miniature engines, steam rollers and showman's engines.
To keep visitors entertained, there will also be fairground rides, trade stalls, food stalls, and a bar. On the Friday and Saturday evenings there will also be live music.
Throughout the event a special intensive steam train service will operate between Norden, Corfe Castle, and Swanage, and on the Friday and Saturday evenings there will also be a special evening heritage diesel service.
Camping pitches are available in a field close to Norden station, but these must be pre-booked via a the ‘Roads to Rail' website at swanagerailwayroadstorail.co.uk
Combined tickets for the event that includes a return train journey from Swanage to Norden and entry to the steam rally showground cost £22 for adults, £8.50 for children aged five to 15 and £57 for a family of two adults and three children.
Entry to the showground only is £7 for adults or £5 after 6 pm with children under the age of 16 free, and there is free day parking at the event.
Further information including ticket and entry information is available online at swanagerailwayroadstorail.co.uk.
Volunteer Swanage Railway Company chairman Trevor Parsons said: “We're very proud to be hosting our third Roads to Rail which combines the nostalgia of steam rail travel with steam-powered traction engines, steam rollers and vintage fairground rides.
“Going from strength to strength against the backdrop of the ruins of Corfe Castle, this is an evocative festival of steam large and small for all of those who love vintage steam-powered vehicles on the road or on the rails.
“Last year's event was incredibly successful and this year the showground will be larger with more traction engines and trade stalls as well as a bar and beer tents, food stalls and live music on the Friday and Saturday evenings.
“With people attending the event also having the rare opportunity to go on the footplate of one of our steam locomotives, Roads to Rail is a great day out for all the family and we hope that it will again draw in the crowds.
“Special events such as our Roads to Rail three-day event are critical for helping to fund the continued operation and development of the Swanage Railway as well as drawing visitors to the wonderful Isle of Purbeck ahead of the main summer season.
“The Roads to Rail event takes a lot of dedicated planning and organising from our staff and volunteers and I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that has been put into the event.”
One of the event's dedicated organisers, Lorna Lock, said: “Our Roads to Rail steam rally is unique because there is also the opportunity to include a steam or heritage diesel train ride through the Isle of Purbeck, ride on our heritage diesel train service from Wareham on the Friday and Saturday as well as the rare chance to visit the footplate of one of our steam locomotives, next to the Roads to Rail showground, that usually hauls trains between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage.
“We would like to thank our generous sponsors and advertisers for their important help staging this year's Roads to Rail event which promises to be bigger and better than last year and takes place within sight of the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle,” added Lorna who lives in Swanage.”
