The 2007 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival kicks off with visiting 47635 working 2N01 0900 Swanage to Norden with visiting D1015 on the back. 11/5/2007
At Norden the class 47 came off leaving D1015 to work 2S01 0950 from Norden back to Swanage. Pete Duncalfe, the Swanage driver, made a quick phone call and I was summoned down for a cab ride to Swanage in a Western. Oh yes!!
D1015 comes to a stand at the double acting down home signal at Corfe Castle. The up train is in and waiting for us.
Seen from the cab of D1015 is Swanage resident D6515 with 4VEP unit 3417 on loan from South West Trains. On the back of the EMU is the last of the visiting locos, E6043/73136 and 73208. Ian McDavid takes a photo and James Cox looks on.
73208 is the last loco with E6043 in side, they were on hire from GBRF.
The one steam diagram was worked by BR Standard 4MT 80078, seen here at Harmans Cross waiting for the Western hauled train.
Our train has the road into platform 2 passing shunter 08436 and D8188 which will take this train back to Norden.
Another Swanage resident diesel is class 20 D8188, it is waiting to take over the train brought in by D1015.
Who'd have thought it, a Western at the stop blocks at Swanage. Pete Duncalfe looks out from the secondman's seat. This class is his all time favourite, he was in his element.
D1015 Western Champion sits on the stop blocks.
English Electric type 1 D8188 is about to depart with 2N05 1030 Swanage to Norden.
Moving up to Harmans Cross and 80078 departs from the station with 2S03 1030 Norden to Swanage.
E6043 or 73136 is privately owned but is operated on the main line by GBRf. Here it emerges from the sidings at Harmans Cross passing the 1996 built signalbox.
The shuttle service from Norden passes the down home for Harmans Cross.
73208 runs into Harmans Cross with 2H04 1050 shuttle from Norden.
E6043 moves out of the up platform to drop down onto the 4VEP.
E6043 slowly runs in to couple onto the 4VEP unit in the platform.
A modest burst of sunlight paints the scene at Harmans Cross as E6043 is ready to depart with 3417 and 73208 still on the rear.
Train 2N06 departs Harmans Cross at 1105 for Norden with 73208 passing the 'box.
Brush type 4 47635 is owned and operated by Seco-Rail having bought the loco from EWS. It runs in with 2S05 1110 Norden to Swanage with Swanage's Pete Sykes leaning out to exchange the token.
The driver opens the power handle and the Sulzer 12LDA28C 2580hp power plant winds up with a black cloud of clag.
73208 was removed from the 4VEP at Norden. The unit worked back to Harmans Cross as 2H06 1130 off being propelled in push-pull mode by E6043.
A quick turn round is guaranteed as all the driver has to do is change ends. 3417 slips away from Harmans Cross with 2N08 1130 off.
The next Swanage departure approaches climbing at 1 in 76 towards Harmans Cross station with D1015 in charge on 2N09 1150 from Swanage.
The train passes below Haycrafts Lane and will take the turnout into the up platform loop. Pete Duncalfe can be seen in the secondman's seat.
The diesel hydraulic type 4 stands in the up platform.
80078 heads back to Swanage with the second of its four trains, 2S07 1150 from Norden. On arrival it will go on shed until mid afternoon.
In a scene that could have come straight from the late 1960's as D6515 works 3417 into Corfe Castle with 2H08 1210 Norden shuttle to Harmans Cross.
