LONDON 'RAILWAY CHILDREN' LOCOMOTIVE TO HOLIDAY AT THE SEASIDE WHEN IT STARS IN THE SWANAGE RAILWAY STEAM GALA
Friday 9th to Sunday 11th September 2011

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 10th August 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright as noted
To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph to view a full size version, and then click on CLOSE or 'x' on your keyboard to close it and return to this page.

The photos on this page can also be viewed as a slideshow - just click on any image and then click on the enlarged to continue scrolling through the photos - Next and Previous links on the right and left of the photos - or use the CLOSE link or 'x' on your keyboard to exit

N2 No. 1744 at the North York Moors Railway. Photo Phil Brown

An historic 1920s London steam locomotive - which appeared in the classic film 'The Railway Children' - is to holiday at the seaside when it stars in the Swanage Railway's popular Grand Steam Gala.

Great Northern Railway N2 class No. 1744 will be joining the Swanage Railway's five resident main line steam locomotives for the three-day event which takes to the rails of the relaid Purbeck Line between Friday, 9 September and Sunday, 11 September, 2011.

There will be an intensive steam-hauled train service between Norden 'park and ride', Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage every 40 minutes between 10 am and 6pm - including steam trains on the Friday and Saturday evenings until just before 11pm.

Alongside the Grand Steam Gala, there will be a three-day Classic Vehicle Rally with exhibits, stalls and refreshments next to Harman's Cross station organised by the Poole and Bournemouth Preservation Club.

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "Our Autumn Grand Steam Gala is an event not to be missed and an ideal opportunity to enjoy classic steam trains as well as classic road vehicles.

"There will be steam-hauled 'Wessex Belle' Bistro dining trains on the Friday and Saturday evenings while the normal Friday and Saturday evening steam train services will include a buffet serving snacks, local beers, ciders and other drinks.

"While booking is not normally essential for the evening 'Wessex Belle' Bistro dining trains, it is recommended for the two Grand Steam Gala services because of their popularity," explained Mr Payne.

The three-day Classic Vehicle Rally next to Harman's Cross station features a huge array of classic road transport - motorcycles, cars, lorries, tractors and stationary engines - and includes stalls, a bar and refreshments as well as live entertainment on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

N2 No. 1744 at the North York Moors Railway. Photo Phil Brown

Designed by Nigel Gresley, the N2 class 0-6-2 wheel arrangement steam locomotives were built for the Great Northern Railway and the London and North Eastern Railway Company between 1920 and 1929.

Equipped with side water tanks and a rear coal bunker, the 71-ton steam locomotives were designed for hauling trains in the suburban areas of north London - working most of the trains out of the King's Cross and Moorgate stations.

Often hauling one or two sets of articulated suburban coaches, the N2 class steam locomotives ran to New Barnet and Gordon Hill on the Hertford loop and often hauled empty coaching stock trains between King's Cross and the Ferme Park carriage sidings. Some of the N2s worked on the Metropolitan line between King's Cross and Moorgate.

N2 No. 1744 at the North York Moors Railway. Photo Phil Brown

Built at the North British Locomotive Works in 1921 and withdrawn from service by British Railways in September 1962, N2 No. 1744 was purchased for preservation in September, 1963. The historic steam locomotive is visiting the Swanage Railway from the Great Central Railway at Loughborough in Leicestershire, courtesy of the Gresley Society.

Painted in a fictional Great Northern and Southern Railway livery, N2 No. 1744 appeared in the 1970 hit film 'The Railway Children' as the locomotive hauling the 'Scots Flyer'.

Directed by the late Lionel Jeffries, the 'The Railway Children' was filmed on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in north Yorkshire and starred Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett and Bernard Cribbins.

Advance booking for one, two or three-day Grand Steam Gala Rover tickets - giving unlimited daytime train travel - is available as well as combined tickets covering entrance to the Classic Vehicle Rally next to Harman's Cross station.

N2 No. 1744 at the North York Moors Railway. Photo Phil Brown

Details of the Swanage Railway's steam and diesel train services - as well as special events - are available by following the menu links on the left of this page or by calling 01929 425800.

To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph to view a full size version, and then click on CLOSE or 'x' on your keyboard to close it and return to this page.

The photos on this page can also be viewed as a slideshow - just click on any image and then click on the enlarged to continue scrolling through the photos - Next and Previous links on the right and left of the photos - or use the CLOSE link or 'x' on your keyboard to exit