2010 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala

And off we go with the 2010 Swanage Diesel Gala and the first up train of the day approaches Norden with 56101 leading 31271 with 33103 on the back. This is 2N01 0850 off Swanage to Norden. 7/5/2010

The class 56 loco is a first for Swanage and is air braked only so will always require a dual braked translator loco when on the vacuum braked stock.

56101 has run round the train at Norden and will couple onto the front of the resident class 33.

56101 and 33103 slowly depart Norden with 2S01 0950 Norden to Swanage, the first down train of the gala.

Sitting in the run round loop is 31271 which carries the name "Stratford 1840 - 2001" and commemorates the depot of that name.

Coming round the curve between Corfe Viaduct and Norden station is 37264 leading 4VEP EMU 3417 with 73119 on the back. This is 2N02 0930 Swanage to Norden.

Electro-diesel 73119 departs Norden with 2H02 1010 Norden to Harmans Cross. The English Electric 600hp SRKT powerplant puts out the clag as it departs the station. The train leads about 15b minutes late and the timetable would slip for the rest of the day.

The 4VEP unit is airbraked only and means the air braked loco can power it without a translator loco, AND it can be used by the push-pull fitted locos too.

Peak 45133 comes towards Norden with 2N03 0950 Swanage to Norden running some 30 minutes down. On the back is Load Haul liveried 50135.

Station staff go about their duties as quickly as possible to try not to lose any more time. The Peak is off the train and 50135 gets away.

The type 4 makes a smokey departure with 2S03 1030 from Norden to Swanage some 21 minutes down.

The 4VEP unit would be on the Norden to Harmans Cross shuttles all weekend and here it approaches being propelled by 73119. It correctly displays the 98 Swanage branch headcode. 2N04 1025 Harmans Cross to Norden service is the train.

Having sat and waited for several Swanage trains to leave, 31271 in Trainload grey livery with Construction Sector decals, comes out of the loop to back onto the 4VEP.

73119 had to move clear to allow the 31 onto the main line, now it heads into the loop to await its next train.

31271 powers away and its English Electric 12SVT 1,470hp powerplant puts out the exhaust. 2H04 was booked to leave at 1050 to Harmans Cross but in the event it departed at 1130, on the back is 45133.

With the timetable rapidly turning into a work of fiction, 47580 approaches with the late running 2N05, 1030 from Swanage to Norden.

37264 has backed onto the stock and will take out 2S05 1110 from Norden to Swanage running a tad late. I will board the train for the short run to Corfe.

A deserted Corfe Castle station with 45133 departing for Norden with 3417 and 31271 with 2N06 1105 Harmans Cross to Norden.

The class 56 had sat down and was withdrawn and replaced by resident 33111. Here it runs into Corfe with 33103 in multiple and 2N07 1110 from Swanage.

The pair of type 3 locos pass one of the class 117 DMU vehicles parked up in the sidings at Corfe. The train is about 48 minutes down.

47580 is on the back of 3417 with 31271 making all the noise as it powers away with its train, 2H06 1130 Norden to Harmans Cross, over Schools Crossing and onto the 1 in 80 climb over the common.

47580 returns to Corfe with 2N08 1145 Harmans Cross to Norden shuttle.

Type 4 Peak 45133 runs into Corfe station with a clear road from the tall double acting down home signal with 2S07 1150 Norden to Swanage.

The 140 tonne loco enters the station loop as the train behind passes over Sandy Hill Lane. It will cross the shuttle service here.

Loadhaul liveried 50135 passes below the footbridge with 2N09 1150 from Swanage to Norden. The timetable is around 43 minutes late but running to the rostered diagram.

33103 has replaced failed 56101 in the roster and here it emerges from the cutting and is about to pass over Sandy Hill Lane with 4VEP 3417 working 2H08 1210 Norden to Harmans Cross shuttle, on the back out of sight is 47580. It will cross 50135 here at Corfe.

The shuttle from Harmans Cross returns with Brush type 4 47580, a main line approved loco, leading 2N11 1230 Harmans Cross to Norden.

As 47580 stands at Corfe's up starter, the ruins of the castle dominate the background. Surely the most dramatic backdrop for a preserved railway anywhere.