2009 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala

The 2009 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival kicks off about 45 minutes late due to the visiting locos arriving off the main line late on and the shunt being performed in the morning rather than the night before. Corfe Castle station and 31108 leads 20107 with 2N01 0850 Swanage to Norden.

After some swift work at Norden to remove the class 31 and run the class 20 round, 20107 reappears passing Corfe's double acting down home signal with the first down working, 2S01 0945 Norden to Swanage.

The overnight rain has cleared and the sun is coming out. Peak 45060 gets a wave from my brother Danny as it passes over School crossing at Corfe Castle with 2N02 0930 off Swanage for Norden.

Type 2 class 26, 26007 is a first time visitor to the branch and for the class too. 26007 was on the back of 45060's up train. Now it hauls 2H02 1010 Norden to Harmans Cross shuttle and slows for its station stop in brilliant mid morning light.

The next up train originated at Harmans Cross and is hauled by 33103. 2N03 1004 off Harmans Cross to Norden comes off the common with Deltic 55022 on the rear.

After a quick turn round at Norden to disconnect the class 33, 55022 returns to Swanage as 2S03 1030 off. Pilotman Ian McDavid looks from the cab door ready to hand over the Norden token to the signalman.

Type 5 Deltic 55022 "Royal Scots Grey" runs into Corfe with the ruins of the castle in the background.

Non ETH Peak 45060 "Sherwood Forester" returns to Corfe with 2N04 1025 Harmans Cross to Norden.

A move to Harmans Cross on the Deltic hauled train. Running into the station passing the new built box is 33103 with 2H04 1025 Norden to Harmans Cross. The station is signalled for up departures from both platforms.

The class 45 Peak is my favourite class of loco and 45060 is in immaculate condition following a total overhaul and this its first time in traffic. I last saw this loco being towed away from York by 56103 on 6/10/1984. This day it will work 2N06 1105 off Harmans Cross to Norden.

33103 has come off the back of the train taken out by 45060 and has run through the station and stables in the sidings at Harmans cross.

The next up train from Swanage arrives behind type 1 20107 running cab first with 2N07 1110 off Swanage to Norden.

26007 returns to Harmans Cross heading for Swanage this time with 2S05 1110 off Norden. In the background is 33103 which, like 26007, is a product of the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company.

The down starter is off and the crew await the tip from the guard. On 21/8/1992 I chased this loco to Oban and back on a railtour when it was running as D5300.

The next Harmans Cross arrival is Railfreight liveried 31103 with 2H06 1130 from Norden to Harmans Cross. The signalman has his arm out to collect the token.

On the back of the shuttle service is 33111 in BR blue but without its running number as the loco is still being worked on but is in running order. It departs back to Norden as 2N08 1145 off. Note the 98 headcode, this was the two digit headcode for the Swanage Branch.

Looking towards Swanage from Haycrafts Lane overbridge and type 5 Deltic super power 55022 approaches up the 1 in 76 grade with 2N09 1150 Swanage to Norden. The loco is showing the correct headcode.

A very busy scene at Harmans Cross, a station that did not exist until 20 years ago when it was opened in the March of 1989. 55022 stands with an up train as 45060 comes to a stand with a down working, 2S07 1150 from Norden. 33103 is still stabled in the sidings.

Up and down trains depart simultaneously and in wonderful midday sun, 45060 slides out of Harmans Cross station.

Now arriving at Harmans Cross is 31103 terminating 2H08 1210 from Norden. The sun is moving round and will soon be off the nose of down trains.

Driver Pete Duncalfe brings in the immaculate 26007 with 2N11 1230 off Swanage to Norden. Pete is the pilotman for the owning group's driver but the home driver always gets at least one round trip in.

Back at Corfe Castle station having taken 26007's train. Pete Duncalfe looks back for the green flag from the guard for the right away to Norden.

Lunch time with Mark Cadell and Phil Milesko in the beer garden of The Bankes Arms, Corfe Castle. What a great view from the beer terrace as 55022 passes the tall double acting down starter and runs in with 2S11 1310 from Norden to Swanage.

Looking to the ruins of Corfe Castle over the stone roofed cottages seen from the beer terrace of the Bankes Arms. It dates from between 1066 and 1087 by William the Conqueror and was added to and strengthened by following monarchs. The castle remained a royal fortress until sold by Elizabeth I in 1572 to her Lord Chancellor, Sir Christopher Hatton. The castle was bought by Sir John Bankes, Attorney General to Charles I, in 1635 and remained in the Bankes family until bequeathed to the National Trust in the 1980's. During the English Civil War the castle was besieged by Parliamentarian forces twice, unsuccessfully in 1643 and again in 1645 when it fell to Cromwell's men. In March 1645 Parliament voted to demolish the castle and it has remained so ever since. The Bankes family decided not to rebuild it after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660.

Framed by the trees and swing at the end of the beer garden and lit by the hot early afternoon sun, 45060 comes to a stand with 2N13 1310 Swanage to Norden.

Type 3 push pull fitted class 33/1, 33111 powers up from a signal check at the down home and passes over Sandy Hills Lane with 2H12 1330 from Norden to Harmans Cross. The stone flagged roofs of the cottages form a beautiful foreground to the shot.

With the shuttle inside and tokens exchanged, 45060 powers away for the short run to Norden. Corfe's East Hill rises 310 feet behind the loco and is a great early morning view point. All the day's trains were running 40 minutes late but in the right paths. All times given reflect the published timetable.

In superb afternoon sunshine, 55022 comes off the loop line at Swanage and will back down onto the stock in the platform.