THE Swanage Railway has received an award for boosting tourism.

It was praised for “significantly increasing” the number of visitors to Poole and the surrounding area at the 2013 Poole Tourism Awards.

Railway manager Richard Jones said: “We pride ourselves on giving our visitors an enjoyable, friendly and memorable day out and this award is recognition of the Swanage Railway’s important contribution in increasing the numbers of visitors to the area.

“As well as offering a return steam train trip over five-and-a-half miles of line through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck – from the castle to the coast – there is the ball clay mine museum next to Norden station as well as the goods shed museum, exhibition coach and cinema coach at Corfe Castle station.”

Earlier this year Swanage Railway scooped a bronze award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

The Swanage Railway, which already has 400 regular volunteers, is happy to welcome new members.

Mr Jones, who stressed full training would be given, added: “Our dedicated staff, both volunteer and paid, work very hard, day in and day out, to run the Swanage Railway’s train services, and it is a major commitment for our people because we run daily from the end of March to the end of October and then during weekends for the rest of the year.

“So the first passenger train of the day can run at 10am, a driver fireman and cleaner will have been up since 6am raising steam in the locomotive and preparing the day’s train service.

“While we have local volunteers, others travel from further afield such as London, the West Country and The Midlands.”

Contact volunteer coordinator Mike Whitwam on 01929 475 212 or email

volunteer@swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk for further information.