Swanage Railway seeks to boost reserves amid rising costs

Swanage Railway is seeking to raise £450,000

A heritage railway in Dorset has launched an appeal to boost its reserves amid rising costs and falling passenger numbers.

Swanage Railway said fewer people had been using the line since the start of the pandemic while the cost of coal, oil and water had increased.

The Save Your Railway campaign aims to raise £450,000 before the main season begins in the spring.

The attraction is also seeking to reduce its operating costs by £350,000.

Frank Roberts described the campaign as a "call to arms"

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Frank Roberts said: "While our passenger numbers are recovering - more than 141,000 people so far this year compared with more than 202,000 people for the whole of 2019 - they have not returned to 2019 levels, while inflation continues to increase our operating costs.

"The longer term survival of the Swanage Railway depends on a positive and quick response to our call to arms."

The 10-mile branch line from Wareham to Corfe Castle and Swanage was closed by British Rail in 1972 and most of the line was lifted.

In 1976, volunteers began restoration work and by 2002 almost seven miles of track had been laid from Swanage so the heritage line could meet the national railway network at Furzebrook.