CHANCE TO DRIVE & FIRE A VICTORIAN LOCOMOTIVE, ONE OF THE STARS OF THE SWANAGE RAILWAY'S THREE-DAY STEAM GALA ON MONDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2010 - 17th July 2010

News Item and Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 17th July 2010
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright.
To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

LBSCR 0-6-0 Terrier tank engine No 662 'Martello' at a Photographer's charter on the Bluebell Railway, Tuesday 14 November 2006. Photo copyright Chris Nevard

A rare Victorian Terrier class locomotive built in the year Sir Neville Chamberlain invented the game of snooker - and ten years before the railway reached Corfe Castle and Swanage - is to be one of the stars of the Swanage Railway's annual steam gala on the relaid Purbeck Line.

The dramatic three-day extravaganza of steam takes to the rails of the award-winning heritage line, which has been built from scratch by volunteers since 1976, between Friday and Sunday, 10 and 12 September, 2010.

As well as passenger trains being hauled between Norden 'park and ride', Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage by a variety of steam locomotives, the fund-raising event will also see nostalgic demonstration freight trains.

The diminutive but powerful Terrier class steam locomotive 'Martello' will be hauling some of the trains and operating on the Swanage Railway's popular driver experience services during the week following the steam gala - on Monday 13th September 2010 - and bookings for that are already being taken, including On-Line bookings which can be made here.

Currently based at the Bressingham Gardens in Norfolk, the A1X 0-6-0 wheel arrangement tank locomotive 'Martello' was built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) in 1875 when the emerging seaside resort of Bournemouth had a population of just 6,500 people

Swanage Railway commercial manager, Martin Payne, said: "We are delighted and very grateful to the owners of 'Martello' for agreeing to bring the magnificent steam locomotive to Purbeck for the Swanage Railway's autumn steam gala.

"It is a charming Victorian steam locomotive - a real gem - and its diminutive size belies its power and ability to haul trains between Norden 'park and ride', Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage.

"It was built in 1875 - the year that Sir Neville Chamberlain invented the game of snooker and ten years before the railway reached Corfe Castle and Swanage," explained Mr Payne.

The Swanage Railway's autumn gala will see, subject to availability, all the line's resident steam locomotives in action during the three day extravaganza of steam traction.

LBSCR 0-6-0 Terrier tank engine No 662 'Martello' at a Photographer's charter on the Bluebell Railway, Tuesday 14 November 2006. Photo copyright Chris Nevard

To see more superb photos of 'Martello' in action, please visit Chris Nevard's page here

They are Victorian-designed London and South Western Railway M7 tank No. 53 of 1905, Great Western Railway tank engine No. 6695 from the late 1920s, the two Southern Railway Bulleid Pacifics 'Manston' and 'Eddystone' from the mid-1940s as well as British Railways Standard Tank No. 80104 built in 1955.

The popular Wessex Belle 'Bistro' dining train will also be running on Friday and Saturday, 10 and 11 September 2010. While no booking is required for this service, tables can be reserved in advance to avoid disappointment.

An important part of the Swanage Railway's annual autumn steam gala is the classic vehicle rally which takes place next to Harman's Cross station and is staged by enthusiasts from the Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club.

Proceeds from the three-day steam gala are going to help fund the development and extension of the Swanage Railway which has been rebuilt from nothing since 1976 and is run by dedicated volunteers supported by a team of full-time staff.

Martin Payne explained: "With the classic vehicle rally taking place next to Harman's Cross station, our annual grand steam gala offers the best of rail and road with something of interest to enjoy for all ages."

Click here to visit our dedicated 2010 Gala page with a downloadable poster and advance details, and here to visit our news archive pages to see photo reports of last year's event.