A RESTORED heritage diesel train is to run on a two-day ‘winter explorer service’ across Purbeck. 

The 1950s ex-British Railways three-carriage Class 117 diesel mechanical multiple units will be operating on the Swanage Railway on Sunday, December 31 and New Year’s Day. 

With its all-round windows and the ability for passengers to sit behind the driver and watch the train being driven, the train will tour between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, and Swanage. 

The trains used to run the Bridport branch from 1965 until the county’s last remaining branch line was closed in May 1975. 

The Class 117 diesel mechanical multiple units also visited the Swanage branch line during its last summer of operation in 1971 on promotional day-tripper trains from London and the Thames Valley. 

Volunteer Swanage Railway Company chairman Gavin Johns said: “The diesel mechanical multiple units represent an important part of this country’s post-war railway history as they were developed as part of the 1955 modernisation plan drawn up by British Railways. 

“Replacing steam trains, the diesel mechanical multiple units were used on branch lines and secondary routes for almost 50 years – the last of the now heritage trains being withdrawn in the early to mid-1990s. 

“The diesel mechanical multiple units not only worked the west Dorset branch line from Maiden Newton to Bridport for ten years, up to the line’s closure in May, 1975, but also the secondary line from Westbury, Castle Cary and Yeovil Penn Mill down to Dorchester West and Weymouth. 

“With windows all the way round the heritage unit, the 1950s heritage diesel mechanical multiple unit gives passengers wonderful views and is the perfect way to explore the Isle of Purbeck whose countryside is a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of the designated Jurassic Coast. 

“There is also the chance to sit behind the driver and watch, through a glass window, the driver at the controls of the train as the diesel mechanical multiple unit runs along the tracks.” 

Steam trains return to the Swanage Railway on Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7 along with a special ‘winter warm up’ event featuring both steam and heritage diesel locomotive trains.