STEAM GALA TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REBUILT SWANAGE RAILWAY AND FEATURE A RARE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 5th Sept 2004
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers stage their annual steam gala this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, 11th & 12th September, 2004 – to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the rebuilt and reopened Purbeck Line.

It is hoped that four ex-BR steam locomotives will be in steam for the weekend which features special combinations and workings – including nostalgic freight trains and light engine movements.

There will also be an intensive passenger train service with steam services leaving Swanage and Norden park and ride stations every 35 minutes. There will also be a special evening train service between Swanage and Corfe Castle.

Starring in the steam gala will be the latest Swanage Railway steam locomotive to return to the rails after being restored from a rusting hulk – West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34038 ‘Eddystone’ built in the late 1940s.

Also appearing will be two ex-BR Standard Class 4 tanks built at Brighton in 1954 and 1955 – No’s 80078 and 80104 – as well as 1897 Victorian designed M7 tank No. 30053 which is the only working M7 in the world and used to haul trains for BR between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage in 1964.

“The steam gala also includes a classic vehicle rally next to Harman’s Cross station staged by the Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club,” explained Swanage Railway passenger services manager David Green.

It was in the summer of 1979, that Swanage Railway volunteers ran their very first passenger train over a few hundred yards of hand laid track at Swanage station. Then, the locomotive was a small industrial diesel hauling just one carriage.

Now, the Swanage Railway has a fleet of ex-BR main line steam locomotives and operates passenger trains that are four or five coaches long between Norden park and ride, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston and Swanage.

“But this weekend’s steam gala is not only celebrating that first fledgling train from 25 years ago, it is also a chance for enthusiasts and the public to travel behind a rare Victorian-designed steam engine for the last time,” explained Mr Green.

“After being rescued from the USA in 1987, M7 tank No. 30053 has been running on the Swanage Railway’s relaid Purbeck Line for 12 years after being restored. But after the steam gala, No. 30053 will be going out of traffic for a major year long overhaul that involves the engine being taken apart and rebuilt,” he added.

It is hoped that No. 30053 – which was built at Nine Elms in London for the London and South Western Railway – will be back in traffic at Swanage in time for its centenary in December, 2005.

“No. 30053 is the only working M7 in the world and it is important to the Swanage Railway – the jewel in its crown if you like – because the M7 steam locomotive hauled trains between Wareham, Corfe Castle and Swanage from the 1930s through to 1964,” explained Mr Green.

“Indeed, No. 30053 itself hauled passenger trains on the Swanage branch in April and early May, 1964. When the M7s were withdrawn and sent to the scrapyards for breaking up, it was never thought that an M7 would be seen running at Swanage again.

“But, thanks to an American millionaire railway enthusiast buying No. 30053 for his locomotive museum in the USA, No. 30053 was saved from the cutters torch and shipped out to the USA. Some 20 years later, the museum agreed to sell No. 30053 and the M7 triumphantly returned to Swanage in April, 1987,” added Mr Green.

Steam gala train tickets allowing all day train travel on the day of issue – as well as access to the classic vehicle rally next to Harman’s Cross station – are £10 for adults and £7 for children and senior citizens. Further details from the Swanage Railway booking office on 01929 425800 or click here to visit our Special Events page.