Full steam ahead for 'biggest train set'

The "biggest train set in the world" (Swanage Railway Company) to join British Rail's main grid as a commuter line to alleviate road congestion. Pictures: Charles Miranda Source: News Limited

IT'S more Thomas the Tank Engine with its steam trains and elderly uniformed platform controllers, but a railway line described as the biggest train set in Britain is to be connected to the national network for scheduled services.

Steam trains began trundling through the village of Corfe Castle to Swanage in South West England in 1885 but demand forced the line to close and tracks were lifted in 1972.

But shortly after, a group of train enthusiasts reopened the station and returned the tracks for a single "heritage" line that for 41 years has carried tourists through 16km of quintessential British countryside with its stone walled fields and rich forests and ancient castle ruins and villages.  

The "biggest train set in the world" (Swanage Railway Company) to join British Rail's main grid as a commuter line to alleviate road congestion. Pictures: Charles Miranda Source: News Limited

Now the hobby railway - described as the "biggest train set in the country" - run by 400 volunteers and 40 staff will be linked to the British Rail mainline to run schedules services to meet commuter demands and provide an alternative to local road congestion.

"It's a fantastic feeling, it is what people have been working for, for many, many years," Swanage Railway Company chairman Peter Sills said yesterday.

Commuters have also celebrated the link-up with a chance to avoid huge delays on the roads experienced on bus services.

The "biggest train set in the world" (Swanage Railway Company) to join British Rail's main grid as a commuter line to alleviate road congestion. Pictures: Charles Miranda Source: News Limited

The British Government is to hand over AUD$2.2million to run all-year-round scheduled connections through the stations that have been lovingly restored over the years to reflect the glory age of the old trains.

At this stage it’s just the line and stations to be used for the mainline link but volunteers said it was possible the ever-reliable steam engine and diesels could also be recruited to join the run.

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