Swanage clarifies revised funding target

THE SWANAGE Railway has clarified the reasons why the target for its ‘Save Your Railway’ appeal jumped from an initial £250,000 to £450,000.

The line had originally appealed for a quarter of a million pounds to help it survive through the winter season (SR551), but revised the target to £450,000 just after the last edition went to press. Newly appointed Swanage Railway Trust chairman Frank Roberts said: “In the context of the current economic climate, we thought the £250k was reasonable, however we quickly realised it was not enough. In addition to getting through this winter, we still have a substantial Covid business loan to repay (£200k), and a number of infrastructure works to address. Since the commissioning of Norden level crossing in June 2016, our railway is four miles longer, and although we do not regularly run trains over the extension, we must keep it operational and safe. We have a number of assets on that section, and one at Harmans Cross, which will require some major works in the not-too-distant future.

“The railway must survive the winter. Considering current costs and income is fine, but we need a longer term plan. We have started putting in place steps to develop a three-year plan until January 31 2027 (year end of 2026 accounts).”

In addition to the creation of a Business Review Group to explore ways in which the railway can be more sustainable, the railway is seeking to sell the BR Mk 1 carriages used for its ‘Wessex Belle’ dining trains, minus the kitchen car. The vehicles were vandalised in an attempted arson attack in late February 2023, and need considerable investment to bring them back into service. Roberts added: “We’ve also realised we can do other things which give us a similar financial return.”