Written in June 2005 for the 120th Anniversary of the Opening of the Swanage Line

The Swanage Railway

In the optimistic days of Queen Victoria,
at a time of rail expansion – nay, euphoria –
by an act of parliament, the brave John Mowlem,
who to win support of MPs would cajole ’em,
set ‘in train’ a scheme to connect Swanage nicely
to the main-line by a branch opened precisely
six score years ago, when bargain-price excursions
brought in crowds to the resort and its diversions.

For eighty years both passenger and freight trains plied
the route to Swanage through the peaceful countryside;
but then road transport stole the business from the train,
while families flew off on package tours to Spain.
Around the country, branch lines fell into decline
and British Railways closed (alas!) the Swanage Line.
They pulled up all the track; and railway lovers sighed,
to see that what was once a busy branch had died.

The line had not lain long within its rusty grave
before some true enthusiasts began to save
the Swanage Railway bit by bit, till quite restored an’
back in operation all the way to Norden.
What a labour this of love – o’er thirty years!
Today a team of full-time staff and volunteers,
mid acrid smoke and belching steam, turn back the page
of history, transport us to a grander age.
 
The cheery, helpful service that the staff provide
recalls the age of steam ­as much as does the ride.
The railway line that brought in tourists at its height
still does – for it’s a tourist draw in its own right.
The last remaining sections of the track – to Wareham
on the main line – have been tackled to prepare ’em
for the one outstanding challenge that remains –
to link the Swanage Railway up with South West Trains!

                                                               John Barclay

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