OverviewA standard gauge railway running for around five or so miles between the Dorset seaside resort of Swanage and Norden. Wheelchair-users are conveyed in the parcels compartment of a normal brake coach which has wide doors. Portable ramps appear are used to assist wheelchairs on and off. Helpers can travel in the same coach using four domestic wooden chairs. The comments below are largely drawn from observations during an unannounced visit made in April 2003, starting at Swanage.
Car Parking
We did not check out the parking arrangements at Swanage Station.
Getting Tickets
Level access from the platform to the doors to the Ticket Office which were sufficiently wide for a wheelchair. The Clerk's window was a little high. No discount offered.
Platforms
The train arrives and departs from the one platform at Swanage - access is very easy indeed from the main street. We did not alight at any of the other stations - Harman's Cross seemed to have a good sloping access path to either platform, Corfe Castle seemed to present no problems at all and looks to be a super destination, and Norden looked purpose-built and therefore very suitable for chairs.
The Train
The Swanage Railway seemed to have made minimal effort to cater for wheelchair-bound visitors - the parcels area of a Brake Coach with no facilities at all. No clamps are provided. The wheelchair-bound visitor can be positioned near a window if one of the few are free of obstructions - the area is also used for cycles, pushchairs and similar. There is no suitable toilet.
Other information
The attention by Railway Staff was excellent. We were met by a courteous ticket inspector whilst on the platform who arranged for the ramp to be put in place for us. We were also impressed by the helpfulness of other Staff whilst on the train and at each Station.
Disclaimer
The information is simply provided as a guide and any visitors to the Railway are encouraged to check with the Railway before making a visit or journey.
We did not check out the parking arrangements at Swanage Station.
Getting Tickets
Level access from the platform to the doors to the Ticket Office which were sufficiently wide for a wheelchair. The Clerk's window was a little high. No discount offered.
Platforms
The train arrives and departs from the one platform at Swanage - access is very easy indeed from the main street. We did not alight at any of the other stations - Harman's Cross seemed to have a good sloping access path to either platform, Corfe Castle seemed to present no problems at all and looks to be a super destination, and Norden looked purpose-built and therefore very suitable for chairs.
The TrainThe Swanage Railway seemed to have made minimal effort to cater for wheelchair-bound visitors - the parcels area of a Brake Coach with no facilities at all. No clamps are provided. The wheelchair-bound visitor can be positioned near a window if one of the few are free of obstructions - the area is also used for cycles, pushchairs and similar. There is no suitable toilet.
Other information
The attention by Railway Staff was excellent. We were met by a courteous ticket inspector whilst on the platform who arranged for the ramp to be put in place for us. We were also impressed by the helpfulness of other Staff whilst on the train and at each Station.
Disclaimer
The information is simply provided as a guide and any visitors to the Railway are encouraged to check with the Railway before making a visit or journey.
Last updated 23 April 2003
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