The branch line from Wareham on the Southampton – Bournemouth – Weymouth mainline through Corfe Castle to Swanage was opened in 1885 by the London & South Western Railway, later to become part of the Southern Railway and British Railways Southern Region. The line closed to all traffic in January 1972 and the track was quickly lifted. However, a group of enthusiasts got together with the aim of reopening the line as tourist attraction and in 1975 were granted a licence to occupy the vacant Swanage Station.

Track was re-laid and restoration work commenced with the line being opened in stages from Swanage, reaching Corfe Castle and a new Park & Ride station at Norden by 1995. The line has since been reconnected to the national rail network for the occasional passage of special trains and it is hoped soon to reintroduce a regular service between Swanage and Wareham.

The Park & Ride facility at Norden has proved very popular for helping to get holiday-makers and day trippers into Swanage, without the parking problems that would otherwise occur, and the line today carries around 200,000 passengers per year. Using mainly appropriate Southern Region motive power and green coaches the Swanage Railway today recreates very well an authentic Southern Railway/BR Southern Region branch line.

Through this book Don Bishop shows the line in action today through mainly “trains in the landscape” type images which also show how the line blends very well into the Purbeck scenery. Through around 150 magnificent pictures included in the book Don portrays the Swanage Railway at its best – a striking reminder for those who know the line, and an enticement to those who have yet to visit to do so and contribute towards its ongoing success.

Don Bishop has been a keen railway photographer for over 20 years and travels widely around the UK looking for that seemingly elusive “master shot”. Since 2006 Don has worked as professional freelance photographer concentrating on UK landscapes and his steam images. Don has an extensive collection of good quality images of the UK steam scene and regularly has work published in magazines including a number of features exclusively featuring his work.

Don also runs photo workshop days for people to learn about his techniques in getting quality shots, UK landscapes and steam at work in the landscape. Through his Steam Recreations brand he has organised many private photographic charter events at steam railways around the UK, including the Swanage Railway, in an attempt to recreate scenes from the past with a particular emphasis on the 1950/60s’. Full details are available on his website www.donbishop.co.uk. Away from his photography Don knows the heritage railway industry well, having been involved with his local line, the West Somerset Railway, as a volunteer for 22 years including special event planning and as Heritage Director for West Somerset Railway Association.

Don is also author of The South Devon Railway, West Somerset Railway, West Somerset Railway Revisited and Spirit of theWest Somerset Railway also for Halsgrove.

Imprint: Halsgrove. ISBN 978 1 84114 920 2, hardback, 214x230mm, 144 pages. Published May 2009.