Swanage Railway Diesel Gala 2022

[4630]

The Swanage Railway will be holding its annual diesel gala on 6th - 8th May 2022 with, as usual, a themed preview day on 5th May.

 

Details of the event and the expected visiting locomotives can be found on the railway's website here.

 

I plan to visit the event this year and will post a selection of images in this topic.

 

It would be great if any other forum members would be willing to share any of their images from this years event here too.

Edited May 4, 2022 by 4630
to correct spelling

[Gilbert]

I have a ticket for Sunday.......looking forward to some blue diesels...

[4630]

A convoy of four blue locomotives arrived on 3rd May 2022, working as 0Z45 from Butterley MRC to Swanage.

 

The arriving convoy had attracted quite a gathering at Wareham station...

 

...with 31128 leading 37067, D4 'Great Gable' and D182.

 

There was a slight pause while the token was passed over...

 

...before the convoy restarted for the final leg of the journey diverging from the main line at Worgret Junction to reach the Swanage Railway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2022 by 4630

[4630]

For those who may be interested, in addition to one of their class 73s, GBRf are apparently also providing 69004 to the gala.

 

I understand from reports on another forum that it won’t be operating any of the scheduled gala trains, but cab visits are being permitted at Swanage with donations to the prostate cancer charity that GBRf are supporting this year. 
 

 

[4630]

Breaking new ground for the class, 69004 arrives at the Swanage Railway on 5th May 2022, passing through Corfe Castle together with 73136.

 

 

 

 

 

The headboard is a nice touch.

 

[4630]

By tradition, the Swanage Railway holds a 'preview day' on the day preceding the start of the diesel gala.  On this day the timetable operates with two trains providing the service between Swanage and Norden, one of which will usually be steam hauled and the other diesel.

 

On 5th May 2022 the steam locomotive in use was Southern Railway 'West Country' class 34028 'Eddystone', with the diesel part of the timetable operated by class 37 37703.

 

Here are a few photos from the preview day taken either at Swanage, Corfe Castle or Corfe Crossing which is mid-way between Corfe Castle and Norden.  These include the locomotives in service and several of those stabled around Swanage ready to be used when the gala starts on 6th May.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2022 by 4630

[4630]

To start off some photos from Day 1 of the gala, here are several more of 69004 stabled at Swanage.

 

 

The paint finish on 69004 is so glossy that, inevitably, a close side-on shot is likely to include a reflection of the photographer!

 

Worth adding, although I've also posted this in the 'Class 69 - Return of the body snatchers' thread, that there's a move in the schedule for 69004 and presumably 73136, to return to Eastleigh East Yard on 9th May as 0Y98.  Details of the move here.

Edited May 9, 2022 by 4630
To add further information and amend times of return run of 69004

[4630]

Here're a selection of photos from Day 1 of the gala.

 

As I was using a rover ticket and spent a significant part of the day riding the trains, the majority of these photos were taken either at or close to the stations along the line.

 

33111 at Corfe Castle

 

D6515 'Lt Jenny Lewis RN', looking immaculate, departing from Swanage

 

37703 arriving at Swanage

 

31128 'CHARYBDIS' entering Swanage from the stabling sidings, ready to take up its next duty

 

Demonstrating the flexibility of BR(S) traction, 73136 in multiple with 33111 heading north at Norden.  The '98' head code, correct for BR(S) services on the Swanage branch, was a nice touch. 

 

Also looking immaculate, 50026 'Indomitable' heading south approaching Corfe Crossing.

 

My perception was that there were a good number of visitors today - not uncomfortably busy either at the stations or on the trains.

 

The vast majority of services were on time, or reasonably close to it.  I'm not aware of anything breaking down whilst I was there - all the services appeared to be worked by the booked traction.

 

I hope it's been a successfully day for the Swanage Railway.  I'll be there for Day 2.

 

Edited May 6, 2022 by 4630

[4630]

And here are a selection of photos from Day 2 (7th May) of the gala.

 

These are mostly taken from the lineside at various locations between Swanage and Norden.

 

From observation most services were running pretty much as booked, with delays amounting to single digit minutes occasionally.  I believe 31128 might have had an issue as 73136 was substituted on the diagram part way through the day, but whatever the issue was it appeared to have been resolved as 31128 reappeared later in the afternoon. 

 

D4 'Great Gable arriving at Corfe Castle.

 

D6515 Lt Jenny Lewis RN gets underway from Corfe Castle.

 

50026 Indomitable arriving at Swanage.

 

73136 'Mhairi approaching Swanage and passing the locomotive shed and turntable.

 

The driver of D4 giving up the tablet at Harmans Cross for the single-line section from Swanage.

 

D182 restarts from Harmans Cross heading towards Swanage.

 

31128 'CHARYBDIS' after departing from Norden and approaching Corfe Crossing.

 

33111 approaching Norden with Corfe Castle in the background.

 

 

Edited May 7, 2022 by 4630

[Nova Scotian]

Great pictures. My parents attended the first day and had a great time, I just got photos to my inbox. The 25 looked in fantastic shape. My father was excited by the 44 - I also got the list of when he'd been behind the 46 in the 70s, and numerous times on the 50 when it was in service (mostly in NSE livery!).

[Gilbert]

Just getting ready to leave for the drive south - weather looks good again...

[Gilbert]

Excellent day.  Click on the photo for my Flickr album

 

 

[NickL2008]

Definatley enjoyed the 50 haulage on Saturday evening, decent gala with few pictures below from Saturday and sunday:

 

 

37703 as it powers out of Herston towards Harmans Cross working the 2C16, 1615 Swanage-Corfe Castle

 

 

D4  heads through the crossing outside of Herston after accelerating up the incline with the 1R14, 1539 Swanage-River Frome Viaduct

 

 

33012  leaves Harmans Cross working a late running 2C05, 1139 Corfe Castle-Swanage

 

NL

[4630]

I've now had the opportunity to add all the photos that I took at the gala to my website.

 

The images show the home diesel fleet and visiting guest locomotives at a variety of locations along the Swanage Railway, together with a few bits of infrastructure, several of the local landscape and a couple of random photos of other subjects that caught my attention.

 

Clicking on the following links below should open the relevant gallery;

 

Arrival of the guest locomotives

 

Preview Day, 5th May

 

6th May

 

7th May