Swanage Railway in 1988 ''Backtracking On Beeching''

''Backtracking On Beeching'' was broadcast on BBC2 in the South on 13/5/1988 as part of the ''South On Two'' series. It features the Swanage Railway in its infancy and covers the hopes & ambitions of the railway & features derelict locations on the line that have once again blossomed back into life.
Unfortunately approx the first 4minutes of this programme were not recorded

[@rickravenrumney]

This happened to us in the states with our Suburban Streetcar and Private Rail Service.

[@juleshathaway3894]

"Backtracking on Beeching" says the BBC who obviously did NOT do their research as the Swanage Railway was NOT cited for closure by Beeching, therefore he can not be blamed for its demise in 1971.

[@michaelhearn3052]

Correct. Except the Swanage Branch Line closed on 1 January 1972. It was not a Beeching closure, as it was not mentioned in his 1963 report. Why? Well, Beeching had a habit of visiting branch lines and observed their operations. I am given to understand that the state of the local roads in the area was a consideration as to why the line should not close. However, in 1966 The Network for Development Plans were issued by Castle and Raymond. This document stated that lines that line that operated in a profit would be developed. LInes that were unremunerative but fulfilled a social need would receive a grant as outlined in the forthcoming 1968 Transport Act. But lines that were outside of these criteria would be candidates for closure. For which the BRB would make a decision on. The map at the back of the report available at the Railways Archive website shows that the Swanage Branch line as a line for closure. It was latterly, in receipt of a grant, but the government changed the rules and gave out block grants. In doing so BR had to close lines as there was not enough money to go around.

[@juleshathaway3894]

@@michaelhearn3052 My saying 1971 was a typo, I knew it was 1st Jan 72 as I heard it leave Wareham, I was too young to travel but my eldest brother was on it.

[@bobtudbury8505]

you are right and beeching closed nothing anyway. it was the labour party

[@matthew0605]

My brother lives in Wareham and I recently visited him by train and I looked around the station and the old branch photos in the waiting room on the island platform. I also had a ride on the Swanage railway when Flying Scotsman was there on tour and the place was packed !!. Its now making money for the local economy and paying its taxes to the same Government which had it closed in 1972 . Who's laughing now . Big up the Heritage Railways , up and down the country. Nuff power to your elbows.

[@bobtudbury8505]

the labour part closed the lines, never beeching

[@Popaldinho10]

Wonder where the little blue engine is now

[@colliecandle]

Embarrassingly cheesy 'music' ( if it could be called music ). Makes me cringe to think this was accepted as such back in the day !