Swanagerailway Reviews 14

Fantastic piece of heritage well preserved by the excellent staff members, everything is kept to clean and tidy and it was a pleasure to be a passenger on. Every time we visit this area we will support this piece of English heritage.

Lovely 70 minutes. Rode the train for all the stops, got off at the last station for a look around, rode the train back. The train was very comfortable and the period features were a treat. The conductor was pleasant. A lovely way to view the area and the ruins of the castle. 2 under 4s, 2 over 65s and 2 working age adults all loved it and would happily go back again. All the stations are beautiful and have something to do, I'd have stayed longer but didn't have time. A museum and 2 buffet carts await if you have the time to explore them all. Try and go on a blue sky day.

When going to the Train ride from Swanage to Corfe Castle you are directed by road sign to the only available car park which is approx a 15minute walk from the railway station.If you have mobility problems then don’t bother with this attraction.Also ride £20 each person return which seems a bit high
Swanage council get your act together.

My sister and I (aged 76 and 78 respectively) and small dog, on holiday in Bournemouth, took the return train from Norden to Swanage stopping at Corfe Castle on the way. On our return to Norden I couldn't find my car/house keys. I could have lost them anywhere on our day out but hoped it had been on the train out. I asked one of the volunteers if they had a lost property. They had but it was in Swanage and the office was now shut. BIG problem. If it had been any other railway that is where the story would have ended but not this railway. Several phone calls were made and Dave (Last Train Dave) found out that a set of key had been found and, yes, they were in Swanage. More phone calls and the Manager, Martin, agreed to return to the office to give them to me. Back on the last train to Swanage. Whilst we waited, several of the staff (volunteers) came over to make sure we were okay before they left for the evening. When Martin eventually arrived (about an hours wait) with a big smile on his face, we found out he lived in Dorchester which is 27 miles away! There are no words which can convey our appreciation of this railway company. We could have been left stranded with no means of transport and no key to get into the house we were staying at. Not only were the staff kindness beyond expectations, but the railway was amazing. Step back in time to experience the steam train, courteous staff in period uniform, and immaculate stations with hanging baskets of beautiful flowers.

Fabulously helpful staff and delightful blast from the past experience from Nordon to Swanage and return on 18th July 2024 thankyou!!!Wheelchair user. Will travel again.

Overall good day at Swanage railway at Diesel Gala yesterday; good level of Locos, run by friendly, knowledgable and hardworking experts; well worth a visit,

My only gripe were 3) Toilet facilities got a bit poor later in days 3) Break down's strategy; yes Loco/s do breakdown but on this day it was very warm on coach stationery for over hour, with lack of information on why train broke down - No guard going down coach / PA speaker, etc. S/w railway should dole out water / drinks voucher on board / after train was stuck in heat on tracks.

To some punters that didn't like my criticism of S/Railway my hope is to for them to do better in future. Here is my sensible comment of:-

"It is if you have a medical condition like under/ overactive Thyroid, a heart condition, a small child / baby on board as example. You personally may be alright but some may not have been - always think of others and reputations of companies can be destroyed within mins of a mishap. Also there wasn't much of breeze going through the coaches"

Remember reputations of companies can be destroyed in minutes and by this mishap, lack of Info, etc punters may not be willing to revisit S/w railway again - especially as lot of Vintage railways are struggling at current time

Nice to see the volunteer staff dress for the time period/occasion.
Very approachable and informative in their reply's to any questions fired at them.
Shop staff honest and very customer friendly to the point of wanting to stop the train to correct an overpayment.
Train ticket price £20.00 return per adult.
Woof ticket (Dog) £4.00 return per mutt.
Perhaps a high price to pay but not for the upkeep of our history.

On Swanage railway today in August with English summer raining, they have heaters on the trains but they are not on, windows all steamed up, Swanage railway don't have clue to run a railway in the English climate

I’ve been to the Swanage Railway several times and I’ve always been impressed at the range of locomotives on show. I feel
The prices charged are fair when compared to other heritage lines and overall I feel they have a great bunch of staff and volunteers. Definitely a recommended day out.

We recently went on the swanage railway catching the train from Nordon to swanage on the steam train. We were traveling in a family group including two OAP with mobility scooters.
I can’t not fault this at all. The staff are so helpful and are all volunteers. They were very present and kind and understanding helping to load everyone on the train including the mobility scooters.
Lovely ride in the train. You can stop off at any stop and get back on the next train. We were unable to go to cord castle as mobility issues however we were able see the castle as the train goes right past.
Catching the train back was just as easy.
And with train times running every 45 min you dident have to wait too long.

Lovely day out on a beautiful railway. Staff were friendly and helpful too!

An excellent service to enjoy when in Swanage. Run by a dedicated team, most of whom are volunteers, to a high standard ! Well done everyone

Lucky enough to have a Christmas eve trip on the Devon ( Christmas ) Belle with canapés and champagne served by liveried staff in the luxurious Pullman observation car. Just how rail travel should be ! Amazing that it is run and staffed by volunteers - who pitched the mood just right for a special but not overly formal experience. Everyone even received a present from Father Christmas.

Its a fun trip and if you add Corfe Castle to the day then it's a full day. Freedom of the Line meant we could get on and off and explore the area around the other stops. The Swanage Railway Museum is located at Corfe Castle, which we didn't realise until we saw it at Corfe Castle Station.