1999 Grand Steam Gala - 11th and 12th September

Photo report dated 12th September 1999 - all photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright.

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The best of vintage transport on rail and road came together in Purbeck on the weekend of September 11th and 12th, 1998, with Swanage Railway volunteers staging their Grand Steam Gala - with the added interest of a vintage transport rally at Harman's Cross.

Six steam locomotives dating from 1880 and the 1920s through to the 1940s and 1950s were the stars of this year's Grand Steam Gala on the Swanage Railway's Purbeck Line which also featured a vintage transport rally next to Harman's Cross station.

Leviathans on duty were 1880 Midland Railway 1F No. 41708, 1905 LSWR M7 No. 30053 - which used to run to Swanage in BR days - Southern Railway S15 No. E828 'Harry A. Frith' of 1927, 1924 ex-LNER N7 class locomotive No. 7666, Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific No. 34072 '257 Squadron' of 1948 and Brighton-built Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104 of 1955.

The Grand Steam Gala also featured an intensive two-train passenger service giving trains from Swanage and Norden every 35 minutes, and nostalgic and evocative goods trains from yesteryear - including 9.30 am and 10 am first departures from Swanage and Norden park and ride respectively.

The vintage vehicle rally next to Harman's Cross station was staged with the Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club, and some hundred cars, lorries and motorbikes attended.

Plans are already being made for next year's event, so if you missed the sights this year check for details of next year's Gala weekend on our events pages.