Heritage railway marks bicentenary celebrations

Swanage Railway volunteer Zac Hopkins does not know how to explain his captivation with heritage railways.

"There's just something fascinating about them," he said.

"The sounds, the sights, the smells, the history... we always say 'you catch the bug' and that's exactly what happened for me."

The year 2025 marks 200 years since the birth of the modern railway and a range of Railway 200 events will be held across the country to celebrate.

As well as honouring the two centuries of contributions the railways have made to the country, the events also aim to encourage more young people to take an interest in them.

"In a few years' time there's going to be a dearth of professionals," said Frank Roberts, chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust.

"The railways nationally are trying to encourage youngsters, schoolchildren and other young people to come forward and get jobs and get involved in the railway industry."

Swanage Railway in Dorset is one of many heritage railways that will be celebrated.

It will be marking the start of the year with a whistling event on New Year's Day, and it will host its Winter Warm Up weekend on 4 and 5 January, when four historic locomotives will be in action once more.

Three steam locomotives and a diesel one will run between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage.

There will also be a re-creation of a nostalgic freight train of wagons and box vans of the type that ran across the south of England - including the Swanage branch - in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

Deputy chair of the Swanage Railway Trust Alex Atkins says it will be a "wonderful and nostalgic weekend".

Thomas Brigham, another volunteer at Swanage, said his fascination started with a footplate ride when he was just four.

"I was hooked instantly," he said.

And both Mr Brigham and Mr Hopkins said their volunteer work had inspired them to work for modern railways.

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