Three steam locomotives that worked on the Somerset and Dorset line that was axed more than 50 years ago are visiting Purbeck.

The 1945 Black 5 No 44871, 1948 Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific and 1955 British Railways Standard Class 4 Tank No 80104 will be hauling trains on the Swanage Railway today and tomorrow for the Somerset and Dorset Weekend.

The three classes worked on the former main line that linked Bournemouth and Poole with Blandford, Templecombe and Bath. The 102-mile line was closed in March 1966, with the tracks being lifted between 1967 and 1970.

Trevor Parsons, Swanage Railway company executive chairman, said: “The controversial closure of the Somerset and Dorset main line was probably the most contentious action recommended by Dr Richard Beeching in his infamous ‘The Reshaping of British Railways’ report.

"The line still has a special place in the hearts of railway enthusiasts because of the length of the line – more than 100 miles, some of it double track – the pretty countryside through which the railway wound and also the variety of steam locomotives used to haul the line’s passenger and freight trains."

There will be 12 passenger trains a day in each direction between Swanage and Norden.

Opened in the 1860s, the Somerset and Dorset line was closed in March 1966, after being included in the infamous ‘The Reshaping of British Railways’ report by Dr Richard Beeching published in March, 1963.

Known as the ‘Beeching Axe’, the aim of the report – commissioned by the then Conservative government – was to stem large financial losses being incurred by British Railways, in the face of increasing competition from road transport, and reduce the amount of financial subsidy from the Government to British Railways.

Appearing on the Swanage Railway courtesy of Riley and Son (E) Limited, the main line certificated ‘Black 5’ No. 44871 –which hauls excursions on the national railway system – was moved by rail to the Swanage Railway courtesy of West Coast Railways.