Resident class 33 D6515 waits at Norden for its train to arrive from Swanage. 1/4/2006
Newly restored former Great Western Railway class 56xx 0-6-2T loco 6695 comes passes with the 0950 Swanage departure for Norden. I was part of the working party to Barry Island scrapyard to remove this loco for Swanage in early 1979.
D6515 departs Norden with the late running 1030 to Swanage on the first day of their Branch Line Gala.
Blue liveried push-pull fitted 33108 crosses Corfe Viaduct with the 1010 from Swanage freight train. All trains ran about 40 minutes late due to D8188 failing on the first train.
33108 pilots failed 56xx 0-6-2T 6695 with the demonstration freight. A pin on the reversing linkage had come unwelded and the loco couldn't move.
The freight passes over Corfe Viaduct with 33108 taking 6695 back to Swanage shed for repairs.
80078 forms the 1110 off Swanage to Norden and runs into Corfe Castle station.
The classic up train shot at Corfe Castle with the ruins in the background.
80078 makes a fuss as it comes through the cutting in the East Hill.
80078 runs back into Corfe Castle, 1150 off Norden.
Class 20 D8188 has been refuelled, the reason for it failing earlier, and runs into Corfe with the late running 1136 freight departure from Swanage.
D8188 departs Corfe passing the up starter.
The English Electric type 1 returns with the demonstration freight. It passes the impressive tall double acting down home semaphore signal.
The demonstration freight is a nice touch, something different that sadly the Railway does not run very often.
Driver Ian McDavid looks back from D6515 as it powers out of Corfe heading for Norden, 1150 from Swanage.
The station at Corfe Castle is a real joy with a lovely country feel to it. Trolleys of luggage await the next through train to London. Meanwhile D6515 runs in with the late 1230 from Norden to Swanage.
Rebuilt Bulleid West Country pacific 34028 Eddystone runs into Corfe with the 1230 from Swanage. This is not the London train sadly but one day there will be.
With steam leaking from the cylinder glands 34028 gets away from the station for the short run to Norden.
Having run round at Norden 34028 returns to Swanage, 1310 off.
BR Standard 80078 now is in charge of the freight and it departs Corfe having crossed the Bulleid.
The freight train is worked by Standard 4 80078 and is seen crossing the impressive viaduct over the Studland road.
The station is viewed from the castle as 34028 departs for Swanage.
80078 descends the 1 in 120 gradient from Norden to Corfe.
80078 crosses Corfe Viaduct, nicely visible again after several large trees were felled a few years ago
D8188 departs Corfe with the 1310 from Swanage, the timetable is still 40 minutes late.
The short three coach train crosses Corfe Viaduct.
About 20 minutes later the train returns heading for Swanage still with D8188 in charge.
The train runs into Corfe Castle station with no up train to cross.
Now on the down side of Corfe station at School Crossing and a repaired 6695 pilots D6515 as they pass the up home signal with 1350 Swanage to Norden.
6695 has stayed at Norden and D6515 returns to Swanage on its own with......
The sun is just on the nose of D6515 as Ian McDavid powers away from Corfe with the Sulzer 8LDA28 1,500hp power plant on full chat putting out the clag for the 1 in 80 climb over Corfe Common.
I have moved again and now I'm at Wurzel's crossing. 88078 pilots 6695 on a Norden to Swanage working. I'm not sure which train this is as the timetable had virtually collapsed.
The crew of 80078 is having an easy time as it seem that 6695 is doing all the work!
By this point it was a lottery as to what loco would be on what train. D8188 drops off the common towards the station with an up train to Norden.
D8188 has run round at Norden and works back to Swanage. The loco passes the up home signal and the driver opens up the English Electric 8SVT mkII 1,000hp power plant to make it talk. It has six mkI coaches on the drawbar.
This is the start of the mile or so climb over Corfe Common to Afflington Bridge.
The familiar sight and sound of a Crompton as D6515 drops down the 1 in 80 with an up train.
A lovely view of the approach to Corfe station from Norden and D6515 emerges from the cutting with a short train of three coaches.
A side on view of D6515 as it catches the glint.
The train makes its Corfe station stop with its working from Norden.
Running well late, 34028 runs in with the freight train. The loco carries the Somerset and Dorset Railway freight headcode
James Cox looks out from the secondman's seat of D6515 as it departs Corfe.
34028 runs into Corfe again tender first with a more usual headcode disc.
Driver Pete Duncalfe looks out from the cab of 34028.
Riding in the front brake van of the freight working is my son Ross, a volunteer on the railway.
The last up steam hauled train of the day runs in with 6695 piloting 80078. 1/4/2006
The second day of the Branch Line Gala and the timetable was running perfectly to time. 34028 approaches Woodyhyde with the 1350 Norden to Swanage. The afternoon was clear and bright but very cold. 2/4/2006
33108 leads the 1350 Swanage to Norden.
