Swanage Railway launches the 'Sunset Shuttle' special evening service for the summer!
A special summer holidays heritage diesel train service has been launched to enable visitors to travel to selected evening events in Purbeck and leave the car behind!
A summer holidays ‘Sunset Shuttle’ evening heritage diesel train service connecting Swanage, Herston Halt, Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle has been launched by dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers.
Operating on Friday and Saturday evenings
Combining value and convenience, the service operates on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6.30pm until Saturday, 7 September, 2024, (inclusive) and daily during the charity fund-raising Swanage Regatta and Swanage Carnival Week, Saturday, 27 July to Saturday, 3 August, 2024.
On Friday, 2 August, and Saturday, 17 August, 2024, part of the ‘Sunset Shuttle’ evening train will be playing host to a Murder Mystery evening at Swanage Railway.
The ‘Sunset Shuttle’ also operates during the Purbeck Film Festival at the end of August and the Swanage Folk Festival in early September.
Times and Ticket prices for the Sunset Shuttle at Swanage Railway
‘Sunset Shuttle’ trains depart Swanage station at 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm and 10.30pm with the return trains departing Corfe Castle station at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 11pm.
The 6.30pm and 7.30pm ‘Sunset Shuttle’ trains from Swanage call at Norden station (next to the Purbeck Park long-stay car park) at 6.55pm and 7.55pm with the evening’s three remaining ‘Sunset Shuttle’ trains only calling at Norden by request to the train guard.
‘Sunset Shuttle’ tickets – giving unlimited evening travel from 6.00pm on the date of purchase – are £10 for adults and £5 for children aged five to 15 years.
Connecting Camping and Carvan Sites with Swanage and Corfe!
Swanage Railway volunteer commercial director Robert Patterson said: “There is no better way to enjoy the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside than from our summer holidays ‘Sunset Shuttle’ heritage diesel train service connecting hotels as well as camping and caravan sites with restaurants and bars in Corfe Castle and Swanage.
“Combining value and convenience, it has never been easier to leave the car and let the train take the strain.
“While discounted tickets are available for the ‘Sunset Shuttle’ – giving unlimited evening travel from 6pm for the date of purchase – daytime return tickets and Freedom of the Line unlimited travel tickets can also be used on the ‘Sunset Shuttle’ trains,” added Bob who is a volunteer station porter on the Isle of Purbeck heritage line.
Volunteer with Swanage Railway
The Swanage Railway welcomes new volunteers.
Volunteer roles include running trains, locomotive and carriage maintenance and restoration, retail and catering, administration, track maintenance, signalling and telecommunications, marketing and publicity.
Anyone interested should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer Lisa Gravett on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk.
Details about volunteering can be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.
Photos in this article by Andrew P.M. Wright
