VOLUNTEERS who helped put back together a section of track so trains could run again and make history have won an award.

The Swanage Railway has won the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) South West Engineering Award 2017 in ICE’s projects costing less than £1 million category.

The coveted engineering award recognised the restoration and upgrade of a three-mile section of railway towards Wareham which has enabled trains to run up to the main line from Swanage.

A trial passenger service connecting the two towns is running this summer – the first time in 45 years.

Part of the Swanage Railway’s Project Wareham, the £950,000 work took place over two years between Norden and half a mile short of Worgret Junction, on the main London to Weymouth line.

The transformation saw three miles of little used former Network Rail line restored to a passenger-carrying standard, overgrown embankments and drains cleared, a quarter-mile long embankment upgraded while half a mile of new railway track was also laid.

The work also involved the installation of a state of the art level crossing – to protect Perenco’s Wytch Farm oil field access road near Norden station – and the creation of a nearby road-rail interchange for locomotives and carriages. This involved the excavation of 2,500 cubic metres of earth that was re-cycled and used to extend a quarter-mile long embankment near Furzebrook.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Gavin Johns said: “I am delighted by this award and feel very proud of the excellent team effort that has seen our project team, led by Frank Roberts, our civil engineers GB Card & Partners, Swanage Railway departmental staff, consultants and our contractors – Andrews of Wareham and Schweizer of Switzerland – working together so effectively.

“This prestigious award recognises their hard work and dedication – it’s a real feather in their caps because the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Awards is the benchmark for recognising excellence in civil engineering in the United Kingdom.”

Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council jointly agreed to commit £3.2million for re-signalling improvements and other work between Wareham station, Worgret Junction and Swanage Railway’s existing signalling system at Corfe Castle – the work taking place during 2013 as part of Network Rail’s Poole to Wool re-signalling scheme.

The £3.2 million funding is being raised thanks to contributions from housing developers that are collected by Purbeck District Council through its Purbeck Transport Strategy.

Swanage Railway Company chairman Trevor Parsons said: “The award recognises a huge effort by the whole Swanage Railway team, especially those who worked so hard on the ground. The Swanage Railway has risen to the challenge of new installations and extending its route to incorporate part of a busy electrified commuter line through Wareham.

“The Swanage Railway’s largest single engineering hurdle since seven miles of track was demolished by British Rail in 1972 was overcome through the effort of many people – specialising in a wide variety of fields – who volunteered their support.”

District and county councillor Bill Trite, chairman of the Purbeck Community Rail Partnership and former chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust, said: “Restoration of the rail link and a regular passenger service have been the aims of very many dedicated people since the closure of the branch line in 1972.”

“The recent commencement of the trial passenger service would not have been possible without the volunteers’ hard work, commitment and determination stretching back to 1972. For that, we are all extremely grateful.”

The Swanage Railway always welcomes new volunteers. Contact Mike Whitwam on 01929 475212 or email him iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk