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| Swanage-Wareham rail line reconnection 'a success' | Swanage-Wareham rail line reconnection 'a success' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The first regular passenger train services to run between the mainline and a Dorset seaside resort for more than 40 years has exceeded targets. | |
| The original line from Swanage to Wareham was closed by British Rail and ripped up in seven weeks, in 1972. | The original line from Swanage to Wareham was closed by British Rail and ripped up in seven weeks, in 1972. |
| During the summer however, the first timetabled trains ran along the full 10-mile route as part of a trial. | During the summer however, the first timetabled trains ran along the full 10-mile route as part of a trial. |
| Swanage Railway said its target footfall was 12,000 passengers but it actually had 13,020. | Swanage Railway said its target footfall was 12,000 passengers but it actually had 13,020. |
| Volunteers rebuilt the 5.5-mile (8.8km) stretch from Swanage to Norden over 30 years and have been running it as a tourist attraction since the 1990s. | Volunteers rebuilt the 5.5-mile (8.8km) stretch from Swanage to Norden over 30 years and have been running it as a tourist attraction since the 1990s. |
| After work was completed on the section of the track from Norden to Wareham, a trial service using upgraded 1960s diesel trains began in June and ran for 60 selected days throughout the summer. | After work was completed on the section of the track from Norden to Wareham, a trial service using upgraded 1960s diesel trains began in June and ran for 60 selected days throughout the summer. |
| Mark Woolley, of Swanage Railway, said he was "very pleased" with how the first trial had gone. | Mark Woolley, of Swanage Railway, said he was "very pleased" with how the first trial had gone. |
| The Purbeck Community Rail Partnership (PCRP) business plan estimated the trial "could result in an additional 12,000 passengers" which it described as a "modest 6% increase of current heritage passenger numbers". | The Purbeck Community Rail Partnership (PCRP) business plan estimated the trial "could result in an additional 12,000 passengers" which it described as a "modest 6% increase of current heritage passenger numbers". |
| A 90-day trial of the service will be held next year, which is expected to see an additional 18,000 passengers. | A 90-day trial of the service will be held next year, which is expected to see an additional 18,000 passengers. |
| "This is likely to run between late May and late September," Mr Woolley said. | "This is likely to run between late May and late September," Mr Woolley said. |
| The long-term aim is to make the service permanent. | The long-term aim is to make the service permanent. |
| However, Mr Woolley said: "This is dependent on a number of factors - such as profitability, obtaining additional main line rolling stock and the construction of improved servicing and maintenance facilities for the diesel train used for a Wareham service." | However, Mr Woolley said: "This is dependent on a number of factors - such as profitability, obtaining additional main line rolling stock and the construction of improved servicing and maintenance facilities for the diesel train used for a Wareham service." |
| Swanage Railway history | Swanage Railway history |