SWANAGE Railway has released a heartfelt tribute to a dedicated volunteer trustee and director who died unexpectedly at the age of 77.

Bill Trite was the man who led the fight in 1991 to save the Isle of Purbeck heritage line from collapse during a financial crisis that threatened the very existence of the then fledgling Swanage Railway.

Bill passed away at his home overlooking the heritage line in Swanage, with railway volunteers learning about his death last Sunday (May 11).

He was a volunteer director of the Swanage Railway Trust for 22 years – and a volunteer director of the Trust’s trading subsidiary, the Swanage Railway Company, for 15 years, as well as being chairman of both organisations for many years.

As well as this, Bill was a former mayor of Swanage and chairman of Purbeck District Council, as well as being a long-time Swanage, Purbeck and Dorset councillor.

He was a town councillor for Swanage and a Dorset Council councillor for Swanage at the time of his unexpected death.

Bill Trite and Cheryl Hobbs in 2008 Picture: Andrew Wright PM/Swanage Railway

Volunteer Swanage Railway Company chairman Gavin Johns – who served with Bill as a Swanage Railway Trust director for many years – has led the tributes to the former stalwart volunteer who became involved with the Isle of Purbeck heritage line in the late 1980s.

Gavin said: “The Swanage Railway sends its condolences to Bill’s partner Cheryl – as well as his friends and colleagues – while we look forward to celebrating his life and recognising the important contribution that he made in many areas of the community and especially to the Swanage Railway.

“Facing the Swanage Railway’s financial crisis in 1991, Bill was the right man in the right place at the right time.

READ MORE: Investigation completed over deaths at Swanage care home in October 2024

READ MORE: Swanage Women’s Institute celebrates five years of fun and friendship

“Thanks to Bill’s strong leadership and his inspiring calls to arms, the financial crisis turned to triumph in 1995 when the Swanage Railway extended its heritage passenger train services to Corfe Castle and Norden.

“Learning of Bill’s death was a shock across the Swanage Railway as well as to the wider community in the Isle of Purbeck and Dorset.

“Bill lived and breathed the Swanage Railway for many years with his dedicated contribution being vital to the survival and development of the heritage line loved and cherished by so many people.

Bill at the first Swanage to Wareham train in 2017 Picture: Andrew PM Wright/Swanage Railway

“Bill performed a significant role on the Swanage Railway that has ensured the longevity of the heritage railway and its historic reconnection with the national rail network near Wareham in 2007.”

Working as a marketing consultant in London, Bill joined the Swanage Railway’s team of dedicated volunteers in the late 1980s when its two-mile extension from Herston to Harman’s Cross was nearing completion.

Gavin said: “The Swanage Railway reached a critical point in 1991 when a major financial crisis threatened the project’s very existence.

“Bill led the vital and challenging recovery plan by assuming the chairmanship of the Swanage Railway Trust – taking difficult but critical decisions with the trustees and the directors of the Swanage Railway Company to reset trading expenses and income while also securing significant support from members, key creditors and business partners.

“Railway members and volunteers in 1991 recall that Bill knew the only way for the railway to survive was to limit expenditure to just coal, water and the telephone. All other expenditure was more or less banned – a determined approach essential for survival.

Bill receiving a 30 year service medal from Lord Montagu at Corfe Castle in 2022 Picture: Andrew PM Wright/Swanage Railway

“Thanks to diligent attention and professionalism, the Swanage Railway was saved and is now a thriving heritage line, in the best British tradition, that contributes more than £15 million a year to the Isle of Purbeck economy; a situation largely due to Bill’s determined and inspiring leadership.

“Bill held the chairmanship of the Swanage Railway Trust, and its Swanage Railway Company trading subsidiary, until 2008 when he retired as a director of the company to focus on his other interests.

“Until 2022, Bill remained a director of the Swanage Railway Trust where his interest and influence in the body responsible for the railway’s membership remained considerable.

“Even in later years, Bill brought rigour to Swanage Railway Trust meetings – ensuring, as best he could, the continued well-being and prosperity of his legacy.

“To have achieved this enduring legacy is remarkable and all who love the Swanage Railway, as well as the Isle of Purbeck, will share some gratitude for the vision and hard work that Bill led on that has achieved this.”

Bill’s funeral will be at St Mary’s Church, Swanage – opposite the railway station – on June 5 at 11.30am, all welcome.