SWANAGE RAILWAY VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATE A RECORD-BREAKING SEVEN LOCOMOTIVE 'GRAND STEAM GALA'

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - 13th September 2011
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright as noted
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Visitor to the Swanage Railway for the Gala weekend was A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' seen here passing Woodyhyde Farm with the picturesque ruins of Corfe Castle in the background. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are celebrating the record-breaking success of their seven locomotive Grand Steam Gala - with 4,557 passengers being carried during the three-day fund-raising event.

The Swanage Railway's official photographer & press officer Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied over 120 photos taken during the Swanage Railway's 3-day Grand Steam Gala 2011. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to view all the photos.

Like a scene from a superb model railway, A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' leaves Corfe Castle station for Norden with the picturesque village of Corfe Castle in the background. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

The stars of the annual Autumn event - which took to the rails of the relaid Purbeck Line from Friday, 9th September, to Sunday, 11th September, 2011 - were the sister engine of the world speed recording-breaking 'Mallard' and a steam locomotive that featured in the classic 1970 'The Railway Children' film.

Swanage Railway resident ex-SR Battle of Britain Class Bulleid Pacific No. 34070 'Manston' meets visiting ex-Great Northern Railway N2 class No. 1744 at Norden. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Proceeds from the Grand Steam Gala are going towards the development and extension of the volunteer-run Swanage Railway which has been rebuilt from nothing since 1976 and runs steam and diesel trains over almost six miles of railway between Norden 'park and ride' and Swanage.

Visitor to the Swanage Railway for the Gala weekend was A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' at Corfe Castle. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

The event included a three-day Classic Vehicle Rally staged by the Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club next to Harman's Cross station featuring classic road transport - both four-wheel and two-wheel - including stalls, a bar, refreshments and live entertainment.

Visitor to the Swanage Railway for the Gala weekend was A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand'. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

The first visiting star of the Grand Steam Gala was a massive 167 ton streamlined London and North Eastern Railway Company (LNER) A4 class pacific steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built in 1937. Painted in a striking Garter Blue LNER livery, the sleek steam locomotive carried the number and name No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand'.

Also visiting the Swanage Railway for the Gala weekend was ex-Great Northern Railway N2 class No. 1744. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

The second visiting star was the green liveried Great Northern Railway N2 class tank locomotive No. 1744, also designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built during 1921. It hauled the 'Scotch Express' in the 1970 film 'The Railway Children' starring Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett and Bernard Cribbins.

Swanage Railway resident ex-GWR 56xx Class '6695' with a freight working seen leaving Corfe Castle station. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Visitors who enjoyed the Grand Steam Gala have been emailing the Swanage Railway to express their thanks to all the people whose hard work made the event possible. During the three days, an intensive service was operated and a total of 175 trains were run between Norden 'park and ride' and Swanage.

On the footplate of visiting A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' at the Swanage Railway 2011 Gala weekend with driver Les Frampton (right) & fireman Barry Light (left). Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

A man from Devon and his family enjoyed "a lovely day just watching trains and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere." He added: "I must pass on our thanks and appreciation for all that you are doing. We were especially impressed by the young age of the people running the show. Their enthusiasm seemed to be quite infectious. All in all, it was a wonderful, memorable day and I look forward to another, perhaps longer, visit."

Visitor to the Swanage Railway for the Gala weekend was A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' seen crossing the viaduct at Corfe Castle. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Another happy visitor who emailed the Swanage Railway, to say how much he enjoyed the Grand Steam Gala, said: "I am not an avid railway enthusiast but last weekend topped the lot! The two visiting locomotives, of course, made it even more memorable. Thanks again to all, seen and unseen, on the Swanage Railway who made this a Great Day Out!"

Visitor to the Swanage Railway, A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand'. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "Our Grand Steam Gala once again presented a highly impressive line-up of locomotives that attracted visitors from all over the country - 4,557 passengers in total travelling during the three days of the annual event.

Visitor to the Swanage Railway, A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' approaches Corfe Castle station. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

"The two visiting steam locomotives - the A4 and the N2 - were especially popular, with crowds of photographers around 'Dominion of New Zealand' and passengers looking for the N2 dubbed "The Railway Children engine". Our evening dining trains were fully booked on the Friday and Saturday.

Visitor to the Swanage Railway for the Gala weekend was A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' seen here crossing Corfe Common with the picturesque ruins of Corfe Castle in the background. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

"The Swanage Railway is gaining a reputation for organising great steam and diesel galas. People come to Swanage to have a great time riding behind different locomotives and experiencing more of what Swanage has to offer.

Also visiting the Swanage Railway for the Gala weekend was ex-Great Northern Railway N2 class No. 1744. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

"At the same time as our Grand Steam Gala, there was a Classic Transport Rally next to Harman's Cross station and the Swanage Folk Festival - both of which helped to add to a wonderful atmosphere in the Swanage and around the railway," explained Mr Payne.

A line-up of Swanage Railway residents: ex-BR Standard 4MT 80104, ex-SR West Country Class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 'Eddystone', ex-LSWR Drummond M7 '53' (30053) and ex-GWR 56xx Class '6695'. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

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