Upgrading Signalling and Using the Wareham Link of the Swanage Railway

Presenter: Michael Walshaw

Virtual Meeting via Zoom

Michael described the enterprising project which involved close co-operation between a heritage railway and Network Rail (NR), as well as private contractors. A window of opportunity had arisen when NR announced their decision to modernise the part of the network through Worgret Junction, the junction with the heritage Swanage Railway. This involved Basingstoke Signalling Control Centre, where the new Dorset Coast Panel would control the line from Poole to Wool, replacing four signal boxes on the mainline. The preserved railway took on this challenge with alacrity and no little skill and this provides a good template for other such schemes. The task of connecting a heritage railway to the national network is not to be underestimated and those involved deserve our congratulations.

While we are at it, they reasoned, we will do some necessary upgrading. So eroded embankments were strengthened and rebuilt; CWR was installed; a new road-rail interchange was built; a new token-block system was produced; and a new level crossing was created at Norden. This was achieved by a wonderful collaboration between the Swanage Railway members and contractors. All of this had to be tested of course and then certified.

The reasons for doing all this work were the declared aspirations to: –
1) To operate a passenger service between Wareham and Swanage on a regular basis, and
2) To offer attractive destinations for trains off the national network.

This preservation line has achieved its objectives and has future-proofed its infrastructure by being ambitious and working methodically to professional standards although Michael and his colleagues were volunteers and amateurs in the best sense of the word. For example, Michael, an electrical engineer by training now works as a volunteer Swanage Railway Signalman. Since the enhancements special trains have been run from several points of origin, such as Salisbury and Ealing Broadway onto the branch and the hope is that such through working will resume after the COVID lockdown with a regular Wareham – Swanage service. This will be in addition to the heritage trains within the branch.