Swanage Railway's Beer Festival and Diesel Gala Weekend 7th to 9th May 2010
Visitor Information

Amongst the locomotives visiting the Swanage Railway's 2010 three-day Grand Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, 7th - 9th May 2010, will be 56 101 from Barrow Hill. Photos Steve Barker

Each year the Swanage Railway hosts a magnificent selection of main line diesel locomotives, hauling a very intensive train service on the relaid Purbeck Line, during the Swanage Railway's annual three-day Grand Diesel Gala and Beer Festival.

NEW DVD CELEBRATING THE SWANAGE RAILWAY'S FIRST FIVE DIESEL GALAS - SWANAGE DIESELS

Locomaster Profiles is producing a new 90+ minutes DVD, exclusively for the Swanage Railway, and it will highlight all 30 diesels to have run during the last five Diesel Galas [including 2010].

The DVD will also feature an exclusive 'official' cab ride, from Wareham to Norden, to be filmed when 47580 brings stock to this year's Gala.

DVD's will cost £16:95 and orders can be made in Swanage Station Shop (09:30 - 16:30) with despatch as soon as stocks arrive from Locomaster Profiles.

The DVD can also be ordered on-line from the Swanage Railway by following this link or click on the image on the right.

A short preview of the DVD will be on show at Swanage station during the 2010 diesel gala on a 32 inch display.

Pre-order forms will also be available at numerous locations around the diesel gala Friday to Sunday, 7th to 9th May, and payment can be made at the ticket offices at Swanage, Corfe and Norden.

Final details for the 2010 event are nearing completion, and details so far confirmed are as follows:

Date: Friday to Sunday, 7th to 9th May 2010

Amongst the loco fleet visiting the Swanage Railway's 2010 three-day Grand Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, 7th - 9th May 2010, will be 50135 shown here at Eastleigh May 2009. Photo Martin Payne

Loco line up:

Home fleet:
33 103 "Swordfish" BR Blue Livery

33 111 "Hot Dog" BR Blue Livery

Guest fleet:

31 271 "Stratford 1840 - 2001" BR Railfreight Construction Two-Tone Grey Livery [Based at Midland Railway Centre, Butterley]

37 264 BR Blue Livery [Based at Tyseley Railway Centre] Replaces 37 518

45 133 BR Blue Livery [Based at Midland Railway Centre, Butterley] Replaces 33 035

47 580 "County of Essex" BR Large Logo Blue Livery [Based at Tyseley Railway Centre]

50 135 "Ark Royal" BR Loadhaul Black/Orange Livery [Based at Severn Valley Railway] Replaces 50 026

56 101 BR Large Logo Blue Livery [Based at Barrow Hill Engine Shed]

73 119 "Borough of Eastleigh" BR Blue Livery [Bruce Knights Rail Services, Eastleigh Works]

3417 "Gordon Pettit" (4VEP Unit) BR Rail Blue Livery [Courtesy of Bluebell Railway, Eastleigh Works]

Amongst the loco fleet visiting the Swanage Railway's 2010 three-day Grand Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, 7th - 9th May 2010, will be 45133 seen here at Wymondham on the Mid Norfolk Railway on 21st March 2010. Photo Peter Dennis

Appearing at the Swanage Railway's 2010 three-day Grand Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, 7th - 9th May 2010, will be 33103 Swordfish. Photos Martin Payne

Timetable:

Up to 30 services in each direction each day.

Frequent Services will run from 08:50 - 00:00 on the Friday and Saturday (08:50 - 18:40 on Sunday) providing one of the most intensive timetables in the country.

Click here to download the full 15 page working timetable with loco diagrams for Friday to Sunday, 7th - 9th May 2010 or see further down the page for a summary passenger timetable.

Please note that actual workings may be changed due to operational reasons.

Beer:

There will be a fully stocked bar at Harman's Cross with a wide selections of beers, ciders, wine and soft drinks. Full details will be available shortly.

The beer tent next to Harman's Cross station, during the Swanage Railway's 2008 three-day Grand Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, held 9-11th May, 2008.

Downloadable Beer Tasting Notes (2010 listing) showing the range of beers that we expect to have at the Swanage Railway's 2010 three-day Grand Diesel Gala and Beer Festival 7-9th May, 2010.

Food:

At Swanage: The Birds Nest Buffet will be serving hot food, sandwiches, tea, coffe and hot drinks. Also breakfast will be available from 07:30 on all three days.

At Harman's Cross: Hot food available at Beer Fest - we will also be selling Purbeck Ice Cream including Piddle Sorbet. Also, around 50 real ales and ciders including the bottled real ale Manston Strong Premium Ale, especially brewed for Swanage Railway.

At Norden: Hot snacks, tea, coffee and cold drinks.

On train: The on-train buffet will be available on two service sets.
It is also planned to have the bar car available on one of the service sets.
Wessex Belle Bistro will run on Friday and Saturday evenings. First Swanage Dep 19:10 and passengers can also join at Harman's Cross and Corfe Castle.