2. Railways

2016 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala

The second weekend in May means just one thing on the Swanage Railway, it's the Diesel Gala and Beer Festival. So Ross and I make our obligatory journey from Scotland to take it in and this year is set for a belter with three "firsts" for the Railway resulting in a star studded line up. 6-8/5/2016
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  • This is the first time a class 40 has worked the branch and the Railway says the first time a class 40 has worked in Dorset ever. Newly restored English Electric type 4 D213 Andania crosses Corfe Viaduct with 2N04 0915 off Swanage for Norden. 6/5/2016

    This is the first time a class 40 has worked the branch and the Railway says the first time a class 40 has worked in Dorset ever. Newly restored English Electric type 4 D213 Andania crosses Corfe Viaduct with 2N04 0915 off Swanage for Norden. 6/5/2016

  • Whilst the Railway said this was the first time a class 40 has ever worked in Dorset, my brother Danny disputes this as he has seen this loco in Bournemouth in 1967. This loco was bought for preservation in February 1988 and this is its very first passenger train in preservation.

    Whilst the Railway said this was the first time a class 40 has ever worked in Dorset, my brother Danny disputes this as he has seen this loco in Bournemouth in 1967. This loco was bought for preservation in February 1988 and this is its very first passenger train in preservation.

  • D213 passes the new up fixed distant signal at Norden as it slows for its stop. On the back is 50035 Ark Royal ready to take the train back to Swanage.

    D213 passes the new up fixed distant signal at Norden as it slows for its stop. On the back is 50035 Ark Royal ready to take the train back to Swanage.

  • The whistle board used to stand on the opposite side of the line facing the opposite direction and was there to warn any lorry driver accessing the clay loading chute on the narrow gauge system that ran at Norden.

    The whistle board used to stand on the opposite side of the line facing the opposite direction and was there to warn any lorry driver accessing the clay loading chute on the narrow gauge system that ran at Norden.

  • 50035 makes a popular return visit to Swanage and the superbly turned out type 4 will take out 2N03 1000 off Norden to Swanage.

    50035 makes a popular return visit to Swanage and the superbly turned out type 4 will take out 2N03 1000 off Norden to Swanage.

  • 50035 has come off its train and has pulled clear of the stock onto the head shunt at Swanage. The weather is picking up but Ross and I decided to ride the trains on the Friday which turned out to be a good decision as they were absolutely wedged on the Saturday.

    50035 has come off its train and has pulled clear of the stock onto the head shunt at Swanage. The weather is picking up but Ross and I decided to ride the trains on the Friday which turned out to be a good decision as they were absolutely wedged on the Saturday.

  • The loco which brought the visiting convoy in is GBRf 66748, one of three locos bought from a Dutch operator. As it is fitted with different equipment GBRf said the loco was not to be used. It is parked up at the end of No1 siding.

    The loco which brought the visiting convoy in is GBRf 66748, one of three locos bought from a Dutch operator. As it is fitted with different equipment GBRf said the loco was not to be used. It is parked up at the end of No1 siding.

  • In glorious sunshine, immaculate BR green liveried D213 has worked in from Norden. The loco carries the name Andania and is named after RMS Andania, a Cunard Line steamship sunk during WW2 by a German submarine on 16 June 1940. The loco is owned by a group of staff from Harry Needle Railroad Company and they have slowly restored the loco to full working order.

    In glorious sunshine, immaculate BR green liveried D213 has worked in from Norden. The loco carries the name Andania and is named after RMS Andania, a Cunard Line steamship sunk during WW2 by a German submarine on 16 June 1940. The loco is owned by a group of staff from Harry Needle Railroad Company and they have slowly restored the loco to full working order.

  • On the steam shed and having a well earned weekend off is U class 2-6-0 31806 and unrebuilt Battle of Britain class light pacific 34070 Manston.

    On the steam shed and having a well earned weekend off is U class 2-6-0 31806 and unrebuilt Battle of Britain class light pacific 34070 Manston.

  • The second of the "firsts" for the Railway is former Western Region diesel hydraulic class 42 Warship, D832 "Onslaught".

    The second of the "firsts" for the Railway is former Western Region diesel hydraulic class 42 Warship, D832 "Onslaught".

  • D832 brings in 1N03 1150 Norden to Swanage class 1 which does not stop at Harmans Cross. This loco and the class 40 are a major draw for visitors to the gala.

    D832 brings in 1N03 1150 Norden to Swanage class 1 which does not stop at Harmans Cross. This loco and the class 40 are a major draw for visitors to the gala.

  • Turning round for the opposite view and D832 slowly runs into platform 1. Over in platform 2 are 20205 and 20142 at the head of 2N12 1215 off for Norden. On the goods shed road is shunter 08436.

    Turning round for the opposite view and D832 slowly runs into platform 1. Over in platform 2 are 20205 and 20142 at the head of 2N12 1215 off for Norden. On the goods shed road is shunter 08436.

  • The secondman on 20205 takes the token to Harmans Cross from the signalman. Unusually the class 20's are coupled cab to cab, this is due to 20205 being air braked only so 20142 has to be inside the whole time to convert the air brake to vacuum.

    The secondman on 20205 takes the token to Harmans Cross from the signalman. Unusually the class 20's are coupled cab to cab, this is due to 20205 being air braked only so 20142 has to be inside the whole time to convert the air brake to vacuum.

  • Therefore it is something different to have the two type 1 locos running like this.

    Therefore it is something different to have the two type 1 locos running like this.

  • With platform 2 now clear, D213 can be brought out to move for its next duty. This move is 0N06 Swanage to Swanage light engine.

    With platform 2 now clear, D213 can be brought out to move for its next duty. This move is 0N06 Swanage to Swanage light engine.

  • The class 40 went as far as the inner home signal before taking the crossover to gain the line to the bay platform.

    The class 40 went as far as the inner home signal before taking the crossover to gain the line to the bay platform.

  • The loco is brought to a stand on the coaches in platform 1.

    The loco is brought to a stand on the coaches in platform 1.

  • Ross and I head for platform 1 to join the train and at the headshunt is D832 uncoupled and shut down.

    Ross and I head for platform 1 to join the train and at the headshunt is D832 uncoupled and shut down.

  • Brush type 2 5580 runs in with 2N09 1215 off Norden to Swanage. The BR blue loco carries its pre-TOPS number without the "D" prefix.

    Brush type 2 5580 runs in with 2N09 1215 off Norden to Swanage. The BR blue loco carries its pre-TOPS number without the "D" prefix.

  • The third of the "firsts" for the Railway is class 46 Peak D182 seen at the headshunt at Swanage having worked in on 2N13 1345 off Norden.

    The third of the "firsts" for the Railway is class 46 Peak D182 seen at the headshunt at Swanage having worked in on 2N13 1345 off Norden.

  • Riding the 1430 from Swanage, 2N18, behind 50035 we pause at Harmans Cross to allow 2N15 hauled by 20205 and 20142. The train is the 1430 from Norden.

    Riding the 1430 from Swanage, 2N18, behind 50035 we pause at Harmans Cross to allow 2N15 hauled by 20205 and 20142. The train is the 1430 from Norden.

  • The driver of 20205 is pal Pete Duncalfe and he concentrates as he brings the train for its station stop.

    The driver of 20205 is pal Pete Duncalfe and he concentrates as he brings the train for its station stop.

  • 50035 runs into to Corfe Castle station and passes D213 at the head of 1N07 1450 Norden to Swanage.

    50035 runs into to Corfe Castle station and passes D213 at the head of 1N07 1450 Norden to Swanage.

  • Steve Barker stands at the end of the down ramp, he is the Swanage driver rostered on D213.

    Steve Barker stands at the end of the down ramp, he is the Swanage driver rostered on D213.

  • At Norden the line up of locos in the loops is impressive. Next one out is Warship D832 and we will savour the haulage.

    At Norden the line up of locos in the loops is impressive. Next one out is Warship D832 and we will savour the haulage.

  • The running signal is off authorising the driver out of the loop with D832.

    The running signal is off authorising the driver out of the loop with D832.

  • Next to take a train south will be class 31 5580.

    Next to take a train south will be class 31 5580.

  • At Harmans Cross our train passes class 46 Peak D182 with 2N20 1515 from Swanage to Norden.

    At Harmans Cross our train passes class 46 Peak D182 with 2N20 1515 from Swanage to Norden.

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