Community Weekend

On Saturday 22nd February and Sunday 23rd February 2025, there will be a rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes of a working heritage railway.

The Swanage Railway team will be opening the doors on a wide range of areas often not seen or accessible by visitors, making a different and interesting day out for all the family.

Volunteering at the award-wining heritage railway is a great way of meeting new people and constructively assisting in community projects.

The railways team would love to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer on the Swanage Railway or find out more.

At each station there will be a welcome desk and a variety of activities to participate in (some are subject to advance booking). There will also be a green timetable running with discounted standard travel tickets for travellers who live in the County of Dorset.

Activities include:

Swanage station -

Guard and Travelling ticket Inspector experience ( pre-booking required maximum 2 people 1 person must be 18). Drive a diesel experience (pre-booking required 18+). Preview the shortlisted entries from our photograph competition for Swanage Railway volunteers and vote on your favourite.

Herston Works visit -

In our works at Herston, we repair and restore our steam engine fleet. When something breaks, bends or wears out on a locomotives, we cannot just buy a part off the shelf! We have the capability to manufacture or repair almost any component of a 90-ton steam engine. During the tour, we will show you our workshop and base, together with some of the parts that go into these heritage locomotives. Currently in the workshop is Eddystone, 34028 of the West Country class, undergoing a mid-term pistons and valves examination, together with adapting for main line operation, and some renovation of cladding. This involves de-rusting and repainting the bodywork. Also, in the workshop is 31874, N class which has had its chassis overhauled awaiting its boiler. There may be other locos there too! Our expert mechanics will be on hand, together with our team of volunteers, to answer any questions you may have and explain how we carry out this vital work for the railway, we look forward to welcoming you for this unique and rare tour.

Herston works tours 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm

As part of this tour, you will be able to travel by heritage bus from Swanage or Nordan Station, taking you directly to Herston Works for your tour.

Heritage Bus -


Norden Departures 09 30 10 30 11 30 13 30 14 30
Swanage Departures 09 45 10 45 11 45 13 45 14 45
Herston Halt -

Team Herston will be at the halt 10am to 3pm to update visitors on work undertaken over the past few years. It is also home to a heritage 1930s Southern Railway Scenery Van, which has been looked after at the halt since 1997.

Harmans Cross -

Signal box experience (pre-booking required maximum 4 people, 1 person must be 18+). Subject to availability, a 1960s telephone exchange is hoped to be open 11am to 3pm. Why not visit the recently created l950’s style Station Masters Office?

Corfe Castle -

Signal box experience (pre-booking required maximum 4 people, 1 person must be 18+). Subject to availability, a 1960s telephone exchange is hoped to be open 10am to 4pm. The down platform will have a Heritage coach and a selection of wagons and engineers vehicles on display, with volunteers happy to discuss the restoration of heritage vehicles and how they are used on the railway. The have a go 'hands on' signal box museum is hoped to be open for the public to try their hand at being a signaller.

Norden -

The Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum will have a narrow gauge diesel train running 11am to 3pm and will have volunteers ready to give you a mini tour of the site starting at Norden station.

Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer Lisa Gravett on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk. Details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.

There will also be a green timetable running with discounted standard travel train tickets for passengers who live in County of Dorset. Proof of residency will be required on day of travel.

More information:
Visit Event Website