WelcomebackSwanage!
THESwanageRailway( SR) markedthe build- uptothepeakseasideholiday seasonwithatwo- stagereintroductionof passengerservices.
SR was awarded Good to Go certification by Visit England for demonstrating it has met the required level of compliancewith its Covid- 19 preparations and precautions ahead of reopening, with services resuming on Saturday, July 11.
Class 33 D6515 Lt JennyLewisRN headed the first of a special five- carriage service ( which ranuntil July 31), offeringa45- minute round trip fromSwanage to Norden, with passengers unable to boardor alight at the intermediate stops of Herston Halt, Harman’sCross and CorfeCastle stations.
Therewereno toilets on the trains, but lavatories were open at Swanage station.
The first train, the 10.30am from Swanage, was wavedoff by town mayorMike Bonfield.
Safety
Explainingsomeofthemeasuresputin place, SwanageRailwayTrustchairman GavinJohns, avolunteersignalman, said:“Wehaveundertakenafullrisk assessment, usingGovernmentguidance, thathasenabledustoprepareforservices thataresafeforpassengersandstaffwith trainsbeingcleanedaftereveryjourney. Trainswillberegularlycleanedand surfaceswipedwhilealsobeingsanitised withalong- lastingsprayproventokill thevirus. Seatingontrainswillbelimited toensurethatsocial- distancingcan bemaintained.
“All passengers and staff on trains will be required– unless exempt for health reasons – towear face coverings.
“All seats will be pre- booked in blocks of four to prevent overcrowding and ensure social distancing can be maintained.
“Any blocks of seats made available for purchase on the day at Swanage station will have to be paid for by contactless cardmethods while the movement of the public at the station will be managed to ensure that social distancing is maintained.”
Aweek later, on July 18, steam began operating non- stop services between Swanage and Norden, which reopened on July 20 for passengers wishing to start their journey there.
The trainswereheaded byU2- 6- 0 No. 31806, a veteranof BR services to Swanage in the Fifties.
Gavin added:“Weare pleased with the progress we aremakingwith re- starting train services after the enforcedclosuredue to the Covid- 19 lockdown.
“Weare continuing to look at the practicalityof reopening Corfe Castle station.”
Vandals
Meanwhile, therailwayhasbeenleft countingthecostaftervandalssprayed graffitionacoachandvanparkedin sidingduringJuly5- 6. DorsetPolice areinvestigating.
The railway’s emergency£ 360,000 appeal ( www. saveourservice. co. uk) to make up for the lost revenue during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown to ensure it can cover its costs to get through the winter has raised around £ 250,000.