The first loco convoy heads for Swanage with 0Z50 0632 off Kidderminster. The Class 50 Alliance works closely with GBRf and two of their class 50 locos have been repainted into GBRf livery. One such is 50007 "Hercules" which also carries the number 50014 and name "Warspite" on one side. 8/5/2019
Swanage pilotman is Ian McDavid and he is in the secondman's seat of 50007. The second loco is 31163 which has been repainted into the livery of the BR Technical Centre at Derby and carries the number 97205.
The third loco is 50026 "Indomitable" in Network South East colours. This loco has been here before in 2014 and 2017, but this year it is out of traffic and is hitching a lift to Eastleigh for maintenance after the gala, in which it will take no part. The convoy passes Creech Bottom user crossing.
The convoy stops at Norden Gates to await the road to Norden station. The original plan was for 50026 to come off here and be stabled, but that wasn't happening so Ross and I moved on.
We move to Afflington to wait for the convoy and time it so we catch the service train too. BoB class pacific 34072 "257 Squadron" climbs over Corfe Common and puts out a fine exhaust.
This train is 2N15 1440 Norden to Swanage and is made up of four BR mkI coaches and the Pullman observation coach.
In lovely afternoon spring sunshine the westerly wind takes the exhaust away from the loco as the three cylinder pacific handles the five coach train with ease.
With the steam working clear of the Corfe to Harmans section, the convoy can get away. With Corfe Castle in the background, the locos approach Afflington.
The colourful combination climb the 1 in towards Afflington bridge. There should have been a fourth loco in this convoy, class 44 Peak D4 "Great Gable". But it didn't leave Butterley due to unresolved engine issues, so it has missed the gala again!!
Moving to Swanage and we are lucky to get somewhere to park by the shed. 80104 is in light steam on the turntable.
50007 passes the inner home gantry and will run into the station in platform 1.
The locos take the crossover off the main line passing the loco shed.
50026 looks somewhat work stained and weary, it was exworks in 2014.
National Collection former LSWR class T9 30120 sits on shed also.
The next service train to Norden gets away with 34072 running tender first out of Swanage which is unusual. Normally tender locos run chimney first out of Swanage because it is easier to get the tender under the water crane.
This service is 2N20 1520 to Norden with 34072 bursting below Northbrook Road bridge.
The scene is sun lit as 34072 passes 30120.
The driver will will be getting the light pacific into its stride as the gradient will pull up shortly from 1 in 300 to 1 in 110 for the climb to Harmans Cross.
Two other locos in for the diesel gala are type 2s with class 26 26007 and class 25 D7535.
On the way back to Wareham we stop off at Afflington again to record 34072 heading back to Swanage in the facing the sea.
This working is 2N19 from Norden to Swanage. It has been a good afternoon. 8/5/2019
The next day and Ross and I return to Creech Bottom for the last of the visiting locos. GBRf send two of their fleet for the weekend, 73119 "Borough of Eastleigh" and a first for the railway, a class 59, 59003 "Yeoman Highlander". 59003 is one of the original four General Motors class 59 locos bought by Foster Yeoman in 1985 to haul their heavy stone trains. The driver give us the thumbs up. 9/5/2019
As 59003 is airbraked only, 73119 comes with it as it is dual braked and will act as brake translator for all the class 59 trips.
The pair pass by running as 0Z59 1427 Eastleigh to Swanage. In 1997 59003 was exported to Germany to haul stone trains and was operated by Yeoman/Deutsche Bahn. In August 2014 it was bought by GBRf and repatriated in October 2014.
Moving again and a return to Afflington and 34072 comes over the common working 2N15 1440 Norden to Swanage.
The weather conditions are such that the exhaust is pure white and lingers as the wind blows it over the side of the loco.
The day before the gala is regarded as a warm up day with two of the visitors working trains swapping over at midday. This year the type 2s were used and in the afternoon it is the turn of D7535.
The BR blue "rat" is working 2N18 1440 from Swanage to Norden and comes through the cutting at Afflington.
With the train in the station at Corfe Castle, the 73 and 59 can head off for Harmans Cross and Swanage. Here they head over the common in a spot of dullness.
73119 is putting out a bit of clag as it runs on its 600hp English Electric 4SRKT diesel powerplant.
A quick drive to Swanage and they run into platform 1 with 50026 parked up on the goods shed road.
"257 Squadron" blasts out of Swanage with the drain cocks open. The working is 2N24 1640 to Norden.
If this was the first train of the day I could understand the cocks still being open this far out but the loco has done four or five trips already and will be well hot.
I can't remember if 59003 is working or if 73119 is pushing back into the sidings at the council yard.
08436 is caught in a patch of sunlight as it trundles from platform 1 to shunt a few locos in the sidings.
D7535 runs in under a clear road and it will come to a stand in platform 2.
Bringing the lens right out as the all over blue class 25 passes by with 2N21 1640 Norden to Swanage.
Hey hey, there he is, big bro Danny who has been riding the diesels all day. We didn't see him at all last year as he was working but this year would be different and we ended up riding a fair bit with him the next day.
The final arrival off the big railway is resident class 33 D6515 running as 0Z33 1210 Southall to Swanage. It has been away for some 5 weeks on railtour duty taking up to the north west of England on one trip.
30120 has a warming fire in it but not for any service as the next three days will be totally steam free.
The sun glints off the centre windscreen of D7535 as it runs round its train for one last round trip.
With the token on board the driver notches up and the gutsy 1,250hp loco kicks up a fuss and darkens the sky with its exhaust.
This is the last trip of the day and is 2N26 1720 Swanage to Norden. Danny will be heading home to Corfe.
With driver Pete Frost in charge, the loco passes by the viewing area, there are a few heads at the windows of the first coach, always a good sign of a popular loco. Another good afternoon and a great weekend is in the offing. 9/5/2019
