SEVENTY soldiers built up a head of steam when they chose to haul 180 tonnes of railway engine up and down the tracks at Swanage Railway station.

As if the heatwave weather wasn't enough to make them sweat the army men pulled two identical engines a total of 500 metres backwards and forwards to the amazement of crowds watching on the station platform.

In the process they raised around £2,000 for good causes and cemented a 19-year relationship between the Blandford-based Royal Signals and Swanage Railway.

And there was no rest after their Herculean task, because the troopers then set about a weekend of odd jobs at Herston Halt station, just outside the town, which the soldiers adopted six years ago.

All the soldiers were from 3 Squadron of 11 Signals Regiment at Blandford.

Warrant Officer Frank Roberts, who started the relationship between the regiment and the railway 19 years ago, said: "The pull took about half an hour in total and was more difficult because it was done on a stretch of track up and down the platform so that members of the public could watch.

"So we had to stop and start three times to complete the target distance."

Money raised from the endeavour will go towards Swanage hospital's new A&E department, Pimperne First School near Blandford and the Florida Dolphin Research Centre.