Diesels arrive for Swanage gala

Ex-BR diesels have been arriving at Swanage ahead of the railway’s diesel gala weekend.

West Coast Railway’s Class 57 57061 hauled 56301, 37503, 55009 and Class 52 D1062 to the three day event taking place between May 6th and 8th.

The convoy was caught on camera passing through Dunbridge at lunchtime today (click here to see Andrew Cameron’s photos).

The locomotives join a host of other diesels confirmed for the line-up including Class 33s D6515 (33012) and Swanage resident 33103. Two other 33s were less fortunate, with generator repairs forcing 33111’s withdrawal and 33035 failing on route to Swanage with hot axle boxes.

Other withdrawals included 50026 and 4VEP 3417. Replacing them are Class 73s – 73205 and 73136 – from GB Railfreight and the Epping and Ongar railways 3CIG unit. HNRC’s 37503 will also be in attendance.

The railway will be running a three-train service from 0900 to midnight on Friday and Saturday and 0900 to 1900 on Sunday.

For further details of the event, including ticket pricing see the Swanage Railway’s website.

Photos and videos from the gala will be gratefully received for publication. Anyone wishing to contribute should get in touch with   Railways Today via Twitter @railwaystoday or by emailing railwaystoday@hotmail.co.uk