2011 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala

Day one of the 2011 Swanage Diesel Gala and Ross sits in the driver's seat of resident loco 33103 during the lunchtime layover at Swanage. I was the rostered secondman on the loco for the day taking up an offer made the previous year by one of the senior drivers. As it happened he was not able to do the turn on the day and we rode with another driver. 6/5/2011

Viewed from the cab of 33103, Swanage pilotman Pete Sykes extends his arm and receives the token from the Swanage signalman for the section to Harmans Cross. Class 52 Western D1062 departs Swanage about 25 minutes late with 1N36 1510 Swanage to Norden.

The previous train was brought in by former Fastline freight 56301. As the stock was the 3CIG unit 1498 strengthened with a dual braked mkI, a translator loco was not required for the class 56. Now is is released and passes the box running into the yard.

The loco runs past 33103 into the yard and will wait for its next turn which will run with us as translator loco. 6/5/2011

Day two and its photographing starting at Norden. Harry Needle Railroad Co owned 37503 is in well worn and shabby early EWS livery and stands in the run round loop at Norden. 7/5/2011

Also parked up is diesel hydraulic "Western" class 52 D1062 "Western Courier".

Home based 33103 runs in with a five coach set that was parked up overnight at Harmans Cross. The loco ran light from Swanage, retrieved the coaches and formed 1N06 1025 Harmans Cross to Norden.

Once in the station and the points changed, D1062 comes out of the loop.

It has tied on the Swanage end of the train and departs Norden at 1050 as 1H01 for Harmans Cross. 33103 is still on the other end to bring the train back to Norden.

It has tied on the Swanage end of the train and departs Norden at 1050 as 1H01 for Harmans Cross. 33103 is still on the other end to bring the train back to Norden.

The shuttle crossed 1N08 1030 off Swanage for Norden, at Corfe and now makes the short journey to Norden just over a mile from Corfe. Class 73 electro-diesel 73205 leads 73136 on this working.

The platform bustles with passengers as 37503 comes out of the loop to couple onto the train for its next turn.

The guard has given the right away and the driver looks back as he eases the train out of Norden, 2S05 1110 to Swanage.

The shuttle working returns with 33103 in charge of 1N10 1105 Harmans Cross to Norden.

Leaving Norden and walking into the field along the footpath to Corfe to record D1062 passing with 1H03 1130 Norden to Harmans Cross. This is a morning shot as by this time the sun has come round off the side of the train but still on the nose.

The class 33 has been replaced by the pair of 73's as they pass over Corfe Viaduct on the back of D1062's train.

The next up train passes over Corfe Viaduct with BR green liveried D6515 and 3CIG 1498 running as 1N12 1110 Swanage to Norden and the type 3 shows the correct Swanage branch 98 headcode.

The 3CIG and dual braked coach set heads back to Swanage behind 56301. Fastline Freight went bust just a few months previously and the mainline future of this loco is not known.

The train passes over Corfe Viaduct, it is wholly airbraked so no translator loco is required.

The shuttle returns to Norden with 73205 and 73136 running on their 600hp diesel engines with 1N14 1145 from Harmans Cross to Norden crossing Corfe Viaduct.

Turning round as the train passes and slows for the Norden stop with D1062 on the back.

Station work goes on and D1062 has been uncoupled and draws forward to allow the loco in the loop to come out and tie on. D1062 will then go back into the loop

D6515 has replaced D1062 on the country end of the Harmans Cross shuttle and leads the formation away with 1H05 1210 off Norden.

The train passes over Corfe Viaduct and the pair of class 73s remain on the back.

The shuttle crosses a Swanage to Norden train in Corfe station and here it erupts from Corfe cutting in true Deltic style, with a massive plume of two stroke clag.

The driver has throttled back as D9009 passes over the viaduct working 1N16 1150 off Swanage to Norden. The exhaust smoke, which is burnt oil caused by the powerplant idling then being opened up, is clinging to the side of East Hill.

Moving to Corfe station and D1062 runs in with 1S09 1230 from Norden to Swanage. The train looks packed with the first coach looking wedged.

On the back of the Swanage train is resident 33103 which carries the name "Swordfish".