TWO VISITING LOCOMOTIVES TO MAKE HISTORY DURING SIX ENGINE DIESEL GALA & ASSOCIATED DORSET BEER FESTIVAL

News Item from Andrew P.M. Wright - 10th May 2012
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright as noted
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Class 57 No. 57 312 at Eastleigh before departure with the Class 50 to travel to Swanage for the May Diesel Gala. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

Two visiting main line locomotives are to make history during the Swanage Railway's popular three-day Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival which bursts into life from tomorrow, Friday, 11 May, 2012.

And classic Southern Region Class 73 electro-diesel locomotive No. 73 136 'Perseverance' will also be making a surprise visit to the annual event on the relaid Purbeck Line which runs until the end of Sunday, 13 May, 2012.

In its striking yellow livery, Network Rail diesel-electric Class 57 No. 57 312 No. 57 312 will be making history on the Swanage Railway on two counts.

Class 57 No. 57 312 after its arrival at Swanage for the May Diesel Gala. Photo Andrew P.M. Wright.

It will be the first Network Rail locomotive to operate on the Swanage Railway and will also be hauling its first passenger trains since the Class 47 became a Class 57 when fitted with a General Electric engine in place of the previous Brush variety.

Scrapyard rescued Class 50 diesel-electric No. 50 026 'Indomitable' will also be making railway history in a preservation debut when it hauls its first passenger trains in 22 years following the completion of a major restoration project.

The three historic locomotives are among five diesel locomotives appearing during the Swanage Railway's annual Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival which has become a highlight of the national diesel gala calendar.

Tomorrow, Friday, Class 73 electro-diesel locomotive No. 73 136 'Perseverance' will be running down to Swanage from the main line at Wareham to join the Diesel Gala line-up - courtesy of Transmart Trains Ltd and moved by GB Railfreight.

The other diesel locomotives appearing at the Diesel Gala will be Class 27 No. D5401, Class 33 No. 33 111 - which hauled passenger trains to Corfe Castle and Swanage from the summer of 1967 until the autumn of 1971 - and Class 08 shunter No. 08 436.

Because of last minute circumstances beyond the control of gala event organisers, five other diesel locomotives that were set to appear will now not be doing so - Deltic No. 55 019, Warship No. D821, Class 20 No. D8188, Class 20 No. D8059 and Class 33 No. D6515.

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: "It's very exciting to have two diesel locomotives making history on the Swanage Railway - the Network Rail Class 57 and the Class 50 'Indomitable' which is aptly named after its major restoration from scrapyard condition.

"The Swanage Railway Diesel Gala has a well earned reputation for quality and variety - it's all about interesting locomotives operating in unusual or historic circumstances. The truly dedicated organisers put a lot of work into making the event the best it can be," explained Mr Payne.

The Dorset Beer Festival takes place next to Harman's Cross station during the three-day Diesel Gala and is being staged by the Globe public house in Swanage.

The Swanage Railway Diesel Gala features an intensive 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.

On the Friday and Saturday, 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.

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.

REMEMBER: CHILDREN UNDER 5 ALWAYS TRAVEL FREE!

For Diesel Gala and associated Dorset Beer Festival details, visit our dedicated page here or call 01929 425800.

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.

Downloadable conveniently-sized Diesel Gala 2012 timetable. Click here or on the image above.

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