IT MAY have closed more than 50 years ago but the clock is being turned back so enthusiasts can relive the days of the Somerset and Dorset railway line.

An evocative taste of the long-closed and much-missed line is coming to Dorset this month thanks to a special weekend at the Swanage Railway.

Appearing at the two-day ‘Somerset and Dorset Weekend’ event on November 17-18 will be three classes of steam locomotives that worked on the former main line that linked Bournemouth and Poole with Blandford, Templecombe and Bath. The 102-mile line was closed in March, 1966, with the tracks being lifted between 1967 and 1970.

Hauling trains between Swanage, Herston Halt, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden will be 1945 London Midland and Scottish Railway ‘Black 5’ No. 44871, Southern Railway-designed 1948 Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ and 1955 British Railways Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104.

‘Black 5’ class steam locomotives hauled passenger and freight trains on the Somerset and Dorset line while Bulleid Pacific class steam locomotives hauled long through trains over the route carrying holidaymakers to Bournemouth.

The last timetabled passenger train on the doomed line was hauled by a Standard Class 4 tank steam locomotive.

Swanage Railway Company executive chairman Trevor Parsons said: “The controversial closure of the Somerset and Dorset main line 52 years ago was probably the most contentious action recommended by Dr Richard Beeching in his infamous ‘The Reshaping of British Railways’ report.

“The Somerset and Dorset line still has a special place in the hearts of railway enthusiasts countrywide because of the length of the line – more than 100 miles, some of it double track – the pretty countryside through which the railway wound and also the variety of steam locomotives used to haul the line’s passenger and freight trains.

“The line from Blandford Forum to Templecombe was lifted in 1967 while the line from Blandford Forum to Broadstone was lifted in 1970.

“With most of the Somerset and Dorset’s route lost under trees and dense undergrowth, very little trace of the line remains – for much of its length – with bridges demolished, cuttings filled in and much of the railway land having been built on or buried under road schemes. Thankfully, the Somerset and Dorset’s Shillingstone and Midsomer Norton stations have been preserved by dedicated volunteers."

The ‘Somerset and Dorset Weekend’ will see 12 passenger trains a day operate in each direction between Swanage and Norden.

Contact Swanage Railway for tickets and times.