LAST 'SLAM DOOR' LYMINGTON TRAIN TO STAR IN ANNUAL DIESEL GALA & BEER FESTIVAL WITH EIGHT MAIN LINE LOCOMOTIVES - Friday 6th May to Sunday 8th May 2011

News Item and Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 4th May 2011
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.

D9009 'Alycidon' - a fine example of a preserved loco scheduled to appear at the Gala.
Please click on the image above to view a larger version of the photo. Photo courtesy courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society.

Eight large 1960s ex-British Rail main line diesel locomotives - and the last 'slam door' train to run on the Lymington branch line in Hampshire - are due to star in the Swanage Railway's three-day Diesel Gala from Friday to Sunday, 6 to 8 May 2011.

Three-coach 3-CIG class electric multiple unit (EMU) unit No. 1498 in a special 1960s British Railways green livery ran for the last time between Brockenhurst and Lymington on 22 May 2010 before modern diesel multiple unit trains took over.

One of the locomotives visiting the Swanage Railway's Diesel Gala - Class 33 No. 33 035 - will be hauling its first train in preservation after being withdrawn from service on the national railway network while a fellow visitor Class 55 No. D9009 'Alycidon' will be celebrating its 50th birthday.

Alongside the Diesel Gala, a three-day 'Dorset Beer Festival' takes place next to Harman's Cross station with more than 30 locally brewed beers on offer, a hog roast on the Saturday evening and live music featuring local bands on the Friday and Saturday evening.

Featuring an intensive train three-train service along the six mile relaid Purbeck Line from Norden 'park and ride' to Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston and Swanage, the popular three-day event will be the Swanage Railway's sixth annual Diesel Gala.

Between 9am and 12 midnight on the Friday and Saturday - and 9am to 7pm on the Sunday - there will be a intensive three train service using the main line diesel locomotives which are visiting Purbeck from Barrow Hill in Derbyshire and the Severn Valley Railway.

One of the Swanage Railway's resident Class 33 diesel locomotives No. 33 012 is also due to be hauling trains during the diesel gala - appearing in its 1960s green British Railways livery and sporting its old D6515 number after its major overhaul at the Eastleigh railway works in Hampshire.

Subject to availability, it is planned to have the following six visiting locomotives in action during the three-day Diesel Gala:

Newly liveried Class 73 No. 73 205 and Class 73 No. 73 136, both courtesy of GB Railfreight.
Class 37 No. 37 503 - courtesy of the Harry Needle Railroad Company.
Class 52 No. D1062 'Western Courier' - courtesy of the Western Locomotive Association.
Class 55 No. D9009 'Alycidon' - courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society.
Class 56 No. 56 301 - courtesy of the Class 56 Group.
Please note: Class 33 No. 33 035 - courtesy of the Pioneer Diesel Group - failed with hot axle boxes en route to Swanage and will not now appear.

On the Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm, there will a two-train service operating - one train having a fully-licensed buffet service and the other being the popular 'Wessex Belle' Bistro dining train. Bookings for the 'Wessex Belle' Bistro train are not essential but recommended to ensure that tables are reserved. To book, visit the Swanage Railway website or call 01929 425800.

Class 55 No. 55 009 will be hauling the evening trains on the Friday while Class 37 No. 37 503 and Class 50 No. D1062 will be hauling the Saturday evening trains.

The first five years of the Swanage Railway's diesel galas are featured in the best-selling DVD 'Swanage Diesels'. The DVD can be found in the Swanage Railway's shop at Swanage station, and can also be ordered on-line from the Swanage Railway by following this link or click on the image on the right.

One day rover tickets are £21 for adults and £18 for children while two-day rover tickets are £30 for adults and £24 for children. Three-day rover tickets are priced at £38 for adults and £30 for children. Evening unlimited travel rover tickets after 6.55pm are £6 for adults and £4.50 for children.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) members travelling to the 'Dorset Beer Festival' at Harmans Cross will be entitled to 50% discount on standard single or return tickets only on production of a valid CAMRA membership card.

Diesel gala service details are available by visiting our dedicated page here or by calling railway on 01929 425800.