2. Railways

Swanage Railway - 40 years since the end of Southern Steam

In July 1967 the Southern Region of British Railways bade farewell to steam haulage. 40 years on, the Swanage Railway held a weekend gala to commemorate the passing. Ross and I catch up with the workings on a sunny afternoon, just like The Kinks sang about in 1966, to record the passing trains. 7/7/2007
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  • M7 30053 climbs the 1 in 80 gradient over Corfe Common near Afflington, with the Castle ruins in the background working 2H06 1130 Norden to Harmans Cross.

    M7 30053 climbs the 1 in 80 gradient over Corfe Common near Afflington, with the Castle ruins in the background working 2H06 1130 Norden to Harmans Cross.

  • The veteran 0-4-4T has been weathered to look unkempt and scruffy. Veteran Swanage driver Ron Roberts is on the regulator.

    The veteran 0-4-4T has been weathered to look unkempt and scruffy. Veteran Swanage driver Ron Roberts is on the regulator.

  • On the other side of Afflington bridge and the summit of the climbs from Norden and Swanage. Ian Riley's Standard 4 2-6-0 76079 fronts 2N09 1145 Harmans Cross to Norden.

    On the other side of Afflington bridge and the summit of the climbs from Norden and Swanage. Ian Riley's Standard 4 2-6-0 76079 fronts 2N09 1145 Harmans Cross to Norden.

  • Back on the Corfe side of Afflington Bridge and Swanage stalwart 80104 storms upgrade with 2S07 1150 Norden to Swanage.

    Back on the Corfe side of Afflington Bridge and Swanage stalwart 80104 storms upgrade with 2S07 1150 Norden to Swanage.

  • The class 4 is going well with its five coach train. Part of the castle is covered in scaffolding as work is carried out on it.

    The class 4 is going well with its five coach train. Part of the castle is covered in scaffolding as work is carried out on it.

  • Another visiting loco is Bulleid Battle of Britain class light pacific 34081 92 Squadron. Here it comes up to the summit with 2N10 1150 Swanage to Norden.

    Another visiting loco is Bulleid Battle of Britain class light pacific 34081 92 Squadron. Here it comes up to the summit with 2N10 1150 Swanage to Norden.

  • Moving slightly to a field at Woodyhyde between Afflington and Harmans Cross and former Swanage loco, now at the East Somerset Railway, USA Tank lookalike 30075 saunters past with two coaches on 2H08 1210 Norden to Harmans Cross.

    Moving slightly to a field at Woodyhyde between Afflington and Harmans Cross and former Swanage loco, now at the East Somerset Railway, USA Tank lookalike 30075 saunters past with two coaches on 2H08 1210 Norden to Harmans Cross.

  • 30053 takes the shuttle back with 2N11 1225 off Harmans Cross for Norden.

    30053 takes the shuttle back with 2N11 1225 off Harmans Cross for Norden.

  • A fourth visitor is Butterley's Standard 5 Caprotti valve geared 4-6-0 73129. Here it drifts along the short level section at Woodyhyde with 2S09 1230 Norden to Swanage.

    A fourth visitor is Butterley's Standard 5 Caprotti valve geared 4-6-0 73129. Here it drifts along the short level section at Woodyhyde with 2S09 1230 Norden to Swanage.

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  • Swanage veteran loco 80078 runs by with 5 mkI coaches on the drawbar with 2N12 1230 Swanage to Norden.

    Swanage veteran loco 80078 runs by with 5 mkI coaches on the drawbar with 2N12 1230 Swanage to Norden.

  • 34081 reappears on the Norden to Harmans Cross shuttle, this one is 2H10 1250 off Norden.

    34081 reappears on the Norden to Harmans Cross shuttle, this one is 2H10 1250 off Norden.

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  • The intensive timetable had all the locos swapping over all the time. 30075 works away from Harmans Cross with 2N13 1305 off to Norden.

    The intensive timetable had all the locos swapping over all the time. 30075 works away from Harmans Cross with 2N13 1305 off to Norden.

  • A closer look at the BR Standard class 4 2-6-0 76079, a lovely looking engine.

    A closer look at the BR Standard class 4 2-6-0 76079, a lovely looking engine.

  • Pocket Rocket 76079 ambles by with ease on its five coach train, 2S11 1310 from Norden back to Swanage.

    Pocket Rocket 76079 ambles by with ease on its five coach train, 2S11 1310 from Norden back to Swanage.

  • At Harmans Cross it passed 2N14 the 1310 Swanage to Norden train hauled by 80104.

    At Harmans Cross it passed 2N14 the 1310 Swanage to Norden train hauled by 80104.

  • M7 30053 was kept on the two coach shuttle trains and here it nears Harmans Cross with 2H12 1330 from Norden.

    M7 30053 was kept on the two coach shuttle trains and here it nears Harmans Cross with 2H12 1330 from Norden.

  • 34081 makes a bit of effort as it passes by with a feather weight two coach train, 2N15 1345 from Harmans Cross to Norden, having taken over from the M7.

    34081 makes a bit of effort as it passes by with a feather weight two coach train, 2N15 1345 from Harmans Cross to Norden, having taken over from the M7.

  • 34081 is an unrebuilt example of the 110 strong light pacific class of loco and is based on the Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough.

    34081 is an unrebuilt example of the 110 strong light pacific class of loco and is based on the Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough.

  • Standard 4 tank engine 80078 reappears from the short cutting at Afflington bridge working 2S13 1350 Norden to Swanage.

    Standard 4 tank engine 80078 reappears from the short cutting at Afflington bridge working 2S13 1350 Norden to Swanage.

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  • At Harmans Cross it crossed 73129 on 2N16 1350 Swanage departure to Norden. The driver shut off just before reaching the photographers in the field and opened up again once he was passed.

    At Harmans Cross it crossed 73129 on 2N16 1350 Swanage departure to Norden. The driver shut off just before reaching the photographers in the field and opened up again once he was passed.

  • Yankie tank 30075 scurries back to Harmans Cross with shuttle 2H14 1410 from Norden.

    Yankie tank 30075 scurries back to Harmans Cross with shuttle 2H14 1410 from Norden.

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  • Back on the shuttles, 30053 comes by on 2N17 1425 Harmans Cross to Norden with steam on.

    Back on the shuttles, 30053 comes by on 2N17 1425 Harmans Cross to Norden with steam on.

  • 80104 passes a concrete P Way hut while rostered on 2S15 1430 Norden to Swanage.

    80104 passes a concrete P Way hut while rostered on 2S15 1430 Norden to Swanage.

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  • A final shot at Woodyhyde sees 76079 approaching with a Swanage to Norden working, 2N18 1430 off the seaside town.

    A final shot at Woodyhyde sees 76079 approaching with a Swanage to Norden working, 2N18 1430 off the seaside town.

  • Moving to the eastern flank of the castle mound at Corfe which provides a wonderful grandstand for watching the trains. 34081 climbs away from Corfe station working 2S17 1510 from Norden to Swanage. In the opposite direction comes USA tank 30075 with a shuttle working 2N19 1505 off Harmans Cross to Norden.

    Moving to the eastern flank of the castle mound at Corfe which provides a wonderful grandstand for watching the trains. 34081 climbs away from Corfe station working 2S17 1510 from Norden to Swanage. In the opposite direction comes USA tank 30075 with a shuttle working 2N19 1505 off Harmans Cross to Norden.

  • The short train crosses Corfe viaduct which was once obscured by trees.

    The short train crosses Corfe viaduct which was once obscured by trees.

  • The shuttle has changed locos at Norden, just out of shot to the left, and M7 30053 brings it back. 2H18 1530 from the park and ride station.

    The shuttle has changed locos at Norden, just out of shot to the left, and M7 30053 brings it back. 2H18 1530 from the park and ride station.

  • 80078 has steam on as it passes over Corfe Viaduct on the rising 1 in 264 gradient. Its train is 2N20 1510 from Swanage to Norden.

    80078 has steam on as it passes over Corfe Viaduct on the rising 1 in 264 gradient. Its train is 2N20 1510 from Swanage to Norden.

  • Loco change again at Norden at mainline approved BR Standard 76079 gets away from Norden with 2S19 1550 Norden to Swanage.

    Loco change again at Norden at mainline approved BR Standard 76079 gets away from Norden with 2S19 1550 Norden to Swanage.

  • 76079 drifts over the viaduct slowing for its Corfe Castle stop.

    76079 drifts over the viaduct slowing for its Corfe Castle stop.

  • Looking towards the beautiful little station at Corfe Castle and 76079 gets way for Swanage. Also departing is 73129 on 2N21 1545 Harmans Cross to Norden shuttle.

    Looking towards the beautiful little station at Corfe Castle and 76079 gets way for Swanage. Also departing is 73129 on 2N21 1545 Harmans Cross to Norden shuttle.

  • The class 5 loco with Caprotti valve gear passes over the viaduct over the Studland road.

    The class 5 loco with Caprotti valve gear passes over the viaduct over the Studland road.

  • 30075 fronts shuttle 2H20 1610 from Norden to Harmans Cross made up of just two coaches.

    30075 fronts shuttle 2H20 1610 from Norden to Harmans Cross made up of just two coaches.

  • 80104 steams away from Corfe station with its five coach train, 2N22 1550 from Swanage to Norden.

    80104 steams away from Corfe station with its five coach train, 2N22 1550 from Swanage to Norden.

  • Visiting 73129 reappears on a Swanage train, 2S21 1630 off Norden.

    Visiting 73129 reappears on a Swanage train, 2S21 1630 off Norden.

  • A panoramic view of Corfe Castle village and how the station nestles on the eastern flank of the village. 30053 departs with 2N23 1625 from Harmans Cross to Norden.

    A panoramic view of Corfe Castle village and how the station nestles on the eastern flank of the village. 30053 departs with 2N23 1625 from Harmans Cross to Norden.

  • Passing over Corfe Viaduct is 80104 with the 1650 Norden to Harmans Cross shuttle, 2H22.

    Passing over Corfe Viaduct is 80104 with the 1650 Norden to Harmans Cross shuttle, 2H22.

  • Another look at the village seen from the eastern flank of Corfe Castle and Bulleid 34081 lifts its five coach Norden train away from the station. The train is 2N24 1630 from Swanage.

    Another look at the village seen from the eastern flank of Corfe Castle and Bulleid 34081 lifts its five coach Norden train away from the station. The train is 2N24 1630 from Swanage.

  • A patch of sunlight catches the train as it crosses Corfe Viaduct.

    A patch of sunlight catches the train as it crosses Corfe Viaduct.

  • A last move to the field between Corfe and Norden and 80078 is recorded leaving Norden at 1710 running back to Swanage, 2S23.

    A last move to the field between Corfe and Norden and 80078 is recorded leaving Norden at 1710 running back to Swanage, 2S23.

  • A closer look at the resident 2-6-4T loco as it passes by the field between Norden and Corfe.

    A closer look at the resident 2-6-4T loco as it passes by the field between Norden and Corfe.

  • 30075 leaves the viaduct with the last shuttle of the day, 2N25 1705 from Harmans Cross to Norden. On the back is BR Standard 4 80104.

    30075 leaves the viaduct with the last shuttle of the day, 2N25 1705 from Harmans Cross to Norden. On the back is BR Standard 4 80104.

  • Super power for a two coach train. In order to get the locos back to Swanage everything gets tied onto every train almost. 30053 is coupled ahead of 80104 for the run back to the shed. This is 2H24 1730 from Norden to Harmans Cross, from there it will run ECS to Swanage.

    Super power for a two coach train. In order to get the locos back to Swanage everything gets tied onto every train almost. 30053 is coupled ahead of 80104 for the run back to the shed. This is 2H24 1730 from Norden to Harmans Cross, from there it will run ECS to Swanage.

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    Another visiting loco is Bulleid Battle of Britain class light pacific 34081 92 Squadron. Here it comes up to the summit with 2N10 1150 Swanage to Norden.
    Moving slightly to a field at Woodyhyde between Afflington and Harmans Cross and former Swanage loco, now at the East Somerset Railway, USA Tank lookalike 30075 saunters past with two coaches on 2H08 1210 Norden to Harmans Cross.
    30053 takes the shuttle back with 2N11 1225 off Harmans Cross for Norden.