DETAILS ANNOUNCED OF THE SEVENTH ANNUAL SWANAGE RAILWAY DIESEL GALA & ASSOCIATED DORSET BEER FESTIVAL - Friday 11th May to Sunday 13th May 2012

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 31st January 2012
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright as noted
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D1062 'Western Courier' crosses Corfe Common with the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle in the background during the Swanage Railway's 2011 May Diesel Gala. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

The Swanage Railway has announced details of its seventh annual Diesel Gala which will see visiting main line locomotives in operation through the Purbeck countryside.

This year's popular three-day event is being held from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 May, 2012, and co-incides with the Dorset Beer Festival being staged next to Harman's Cross station by the Globe public house in Swanage.

Crowds of visitors to the 2011 Diesel Gala throng the platform at Swanage station. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

There will be an intensive all-diesel three-train service between Norden Park & Ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston and Swanage from 9am to midnight on the Friday and the Saturday - and until 7pm on the Sunday.

Subject to availability, the visiting main line diesel locomotives starring in the diesel gala will be:

• Class 27 No. D5401 - courtesy of the Northampton Type 2 Group.
• Class 37 No. 37 521 - courtesy of Harry Needle Railroad Company.
• Warship class No. D821 'Greyhound' - courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group.
• Class 55 No. 55 019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' - courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society.

The Swanage Railway's resident diesel locomotives also taking part in the annual event on the six-mile Purbeck Line will be Class 08s No. 08 436 and No. D3591 as well as Class 33s No. D6515 and No. 33 111.

On the Friday and Saturday evenings, there will be a two-train service from 7pm.

The first of those trains will be the Wessex Belle bistro dining train - for which advanced booking is advised - while the second train will include a buffet serving light refreshments and alcoholic drinks.

Traction for these trains will be allocated closer to the diesel gala.

Swanage Railway Resident 33103 leaves Corfe Castle station during the Swanage Railway's 2011 May Diesel Gala. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Diesel Gala adult rover tickets are available for £22 for a one-day ticket, £33 for a two-day ticket or £40 for all three days.

There are also discounted fares available for children, 'priv' (privilege) card owners and CAMRA members at £16 for a one-day rover ticket, £25 for a two-day rover ticket and £31 for a three-day rover ticket.

Last year's Diesel Gala attracted 2,966 passengers - up 30 per cent on the May 2010 diesel gala event.

For further updates and details, visit our dedicated Diesel Gala page here or call the Swanage Railway on 01929 425800 or send a stamped addressed envelope to the Swanage Railway, Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB.

D1062 'Western Courier' leaves Corfe Castle station during the Swanage Railway's 2011 May Diesel Gala. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

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