Heritage Steam Railway to Pilot Wi-Fi Service

A heritage railway line is preparing to conduct a trial of a wi-fi service on its steam train and railway station. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity in remote areas of Dorset. The public wi-fi system, which will be powered by satellite technology, is intended to provide internet access. Its purpose is to assess the reliability of such a service within the environment of this rural tourist attraction. Dorset Council has received a grant of £163,000 from the government. This funding is designated for the installation of the technology at Swanage Railway. According to the council, this project will establish the heritage steam railway as the first in the UK to feature a wi-fi connected steam train. Installation of the technology is scheduled to commence from early 2025 at Purbeck Park car park, Norden train station, and within the railway’s steam service carriages. Gavin Johns, who serves as chairman of the Swanage Railway Company, commented that it represents “a great opportunity to show that old and new can work together for the benefit of rural communities and our customers and staff”. The funding originates from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and forms part of the national Rural Connectivity Accelerator programme. Dorset Council stated that the project “addresses the need for reliable connectivity in areas with challenging landscapes and limited service from traditional network operators”. Swanage Railway has operated steam trains as a tourist attraction since the 1990s. For updates, BBC Dorset can be followed on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.