THE first public train service connecting Swanage to Wareham next week for almost half a century will be a historic and memorable occasion – and one man is looking forward to it more than most.

Pete Frost travelled on the last train between Swanage and Wareham as a teenager in 1972 before the line was closed and ripped up.

He went on to become a founder member of the Swanage Railway and was part of the team who helped to put the line back together over 25 years and run it as a heritage steam train attraction.

The ultimate dream to run public trains again connecting Swanage with the main line at Wareham will be realised on Tuesday – and Pete will be among the first passengers.

He said: “It will be an amazing and poignant moment when the first train leaves Swanage bound for Wareham because I remember riding on the last British Rail train.

“It was very sad to watch the line being run down, closed and then quickly demolished because I grew up with the branch line with its station staff and train crews being extended members of my family.”

Departing Swanage at 10.23am on Tuesday, the special train will mark the start of a four trains a day diesel-hauled trial service to Wareham operating every day except Mondays and Fridays until September 3.

The first train on Tuesday in 45 years will carry some of the two generations of volunteers who have worked to rebuild the railway. The second train of the day is reserved for other supporters and guests.

The Swanage Railway Society was formed in 1972 and it took four years for the volunteers to obtain a lease of the disused Swanage station and start restoration work.

Volunteer train driver Pete said: “Most people thought we were mad because they never believed the railway could ever be rebuilt from scratch. The task just seemed so huge and unrealistic.

“But we were determined and just took one step at a time. The first mile of track out of Swanage was laid by hand because we didn’t acquire a powered crane until the early 1980s.”

He added: “The remarkable achievements of the Swanage Railway show just what the determined power of the human spirit can achieve. It has been a very long road and I’m sad that many people who have worked so hard to rebuild the railway are no longer alive to enjoy what will be a very special day.”

Passengers are advised that tickets for the service can only be booked on the website swanagerailway.co.uk and there is limited parking at Wareham station.

Tickets are £15 for adult day returns and £9 single. Children aged 5-15 pay £10 return and £6 single. Swanage Railway Purbeck resident’s discount card holders get a 33 per cent discount. National Railcards are not accepted.