Purbeck rail link a step nearer (From Thisisdorset)

Purbeck rail link a step nearer

2:44pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News

A DREAM to run regular trains from a Dorset branch onto the main line is one step closer to reality.

Oil giant BP says it will pay for a crucial £500,000 level crossing on the Swanage Railway.

The crossing near Norden is required before regular trains can run between Swanage and the railway network at Wareham - currently they only run to Norden.

The donation from BP comes after it sold its majority shareholding in the Wytch Farm oilfield in Purbeck to Perenco.

The other major improvement needed before trains can run to Wareham is a £3 million re-signalling project at Worgret Junction near the main line which is due to be completed by May next year.

Volunteers at the Swanage Railway have been working with councils, Perenco and train companies to re-establish a regular train service from Swanage to Wareham.

Swanage Railway chairman Peter Sills said: “This is a very kind and generous legacy act by BP which means that regular trains are one step closer to running between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Wareham for the first time since January, 1972.”