Swanage Railway has starring role in new BBC series (From Thisisdorset)

Swanage Railway features in Dan Snow's History of Railways on BBC2

12:00pm Sunday 13th January 2013 in Latest By Jim Durkin

THE Swanage Railway is set to feature in a BBC documentary series exploring the impact railways had on world economies and societies.

Three weekly one-hour programmes entitled, Locomotion – Dan Snow’s History of Railways, have been recorded.

Historian and presenter Dan Snow spent a wet summer’s day filming on the restored Purbeck line in July, last year. He enjoyed a footplate ride on a 1940s steam engine between Swanage, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden.

Volunteer steam engine driver Tony Hallworth, who worked with the production crew on the day, said: “I was interested to meet Dan Snow and learn more about this new documentary series because the Bodmin and Wenford line, on which I used to work for British Railways as a steam locomotive fireman in the early 1960s, was one of the first railways to be built in the country.”

The BBC2 series explores how primitive 18th century tracks for carrying coal carts developed into a transport network that drove forward the industrial revolution.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Liz Sellen said: “I’m sure that Dan’s footplate ride on our largest steam locomotive was a real thrill and the highlight of his visit to our re-laid railway through the Isle of Purbeck.

“Dan and his colleagues were a delight to work with and everyone on the Swanage Railway is looking forward to watching his new documentary series about the history of railways – from their invention to the height of the power and influence.”

The first episode of Locomotion – Dan Snow’s History of Railways airs on BBC2 at 9pm on January 15. The next two episode’s are scheduled for 9pm, on January 22 and 29.