Pardon me sir is that the chattanooga choo choo? No, don't be daft it's the 15.45 from Swanage to Corfe. Whilst out walking today we fortuitously arrived at the foot crossing just as the train rounded the corner towards us belching smoke and steam. A remnant of our once extensive integrated public transport system, which after avoiding Dr Beechings axe the line fell foul of later government closures in 1972 and lay dormant for several years. After a creeping restoration starting in 1979 the line finally opened between Swanage to Corfe in 1995. The sound of the whistle and the plumes of smoke and steam add to the feeling that Purbeck is timeless and only go to strengthen my feelings of gratefulness that Purbeck, touch wood, has managed to avoid much of the creeping destruction and urbanization of the last 30 years. Visit Swanage and it still feels like it did 35 years ago when I'd go there as a child; I don't know many places like it, it should be treasured.
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