GRAND STEAM GALA LOCOMOTIVE CREWS ENJOY A DUSK CAVALCADE TO NORDEN - Sunday 11th September 2011

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 A4 Pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' at Swanage. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

By Andrew P.M. Wright.

Tired but elated Grand Steam Gala locomotive crews have enjoyed a dramatic and evocative seven-engine cavalcade from Swanage to Norden and back.

The Swanage Railway's official photographer & press officer Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied over 50 photos of the cavalcade following the Swanage Railway's 3-day Grand Steam Gala 2011. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to view all the photos.

The spectacle of seven light engines coupled together - a thank you to just some of the drivers, firemen and cleaners who helped make the Grand Steam Gala happen - took place after the conclusion of the three-day event which carried a record-breaking 4,557 passengers on the relaid Purbeck Line.

Swanage Railway resident ex-LSWR Drummond M7 No. 53 (30053) at Swanage. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

The line-up of engines in the main platform at Swanage took place at dusk, after LNER A4 pacific No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' had returned light engine to Swanage after leaving empty carriage stock at Harman's Cross station.

That had followed LNER 'garter blue' liveried express steam locomotive hauling the last 'up' passenger train from Swanage to Corfe Castle and Norden 'park and ride'.

The Cavalcade leaves Swanage. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

The line-up of the seven locomotive cavalcade was, from the Wareham end, L.S.W.R. M7 No. 53 of 1905, 56XX GWR tank No. 6695 of the late 1920s, Great Northern Railway N2 tank No. 1744 of 1921, BR Standard Tank No. 80104 of 1955, LNER A4 No. 4492 'Dominion of New Zealand' with 1940s Southern Railway Bulleid Pacifics No. 34070 'Manston' and No. 34028 'Eddystone' taking up the rear.

With dusk falling fast, the cavalcade left Swanage at 7.40pm for the six mile trip to Norden where, after a short stop, the seven steam locomotives returned to Swanage at 8.23pm where the engines were disposed of by their crews.

The Cavalcade leaves Swanage. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

The signalmen who stayed on duty later than normal so that the dramatic and evocative locomotive movement could take place were Phil Eakins at Swanage, Geoff Truscott at Harman's Cross and Clive Morris at Corfe Castle.

Emails of congratulation from members of the public who enjoyed the Swanage Railway's latest annual Grand Steam Gala continue to come into the Swanage Railway.

A delighted visitor from Kent emailed: "Just returned from a week's holiday in Swanage and wanted to thank you for an excellent day on Friday, 9th September. We travelled up and the line and discovered new places to explore and greatly enjoyed all the different engines.

Swanage Railway resident ex-LSWR Drummond M7 No. 53 (30053) at the head of the Cavalcade at Norden. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

He continued: "In the evening, we finished with a superb meal on board the Wessex Belle attended to by smart, professional staff. All in all a fantastic experience, many thanks and well done to everyone who put the event together!"

Gala Crew group photo at Norden. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Another happy visitor emailed: "Hello everyone at Swanage Railway. Thank you for a truly great Gala. We spent the three days with you and thoroughly enjoyed it, meeting many lovely people. We will be back. Thanks again."

A visitor from Devon wrote: "Last Friday, I visited Swanage with my wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law; the last two might best be described as 'non-railway'.

Cavalcade at Norden. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

"We arrived at Swanage, travelled to Corfe for lunch and returned to Swanage at about 3pm. We left the station at 6pm after spending a lovely day just watching trains and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere.

"Even the 'non-railways' were reluctant to leave. I must pass on our thanks and appreciation for all that you are doing. Especially we were 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. Many, many thanks," he ended.

Cavalcade at Norden 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