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Swanage Railway | Spring Steam Gala | 27th-29th March 2026

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Ben Jenden, Jan 11, 2026.

  1. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    Austerity WD152 "Rennes" announced as first guest
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2026
    Ben Jenden, Jan 11, 2026
    #1
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  2. Rumpole

    Rumpole Part of the furniture

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    As someone who covers Marchwood signal box from time to time as part of my 'real' job, I'm delighted to see a former Marchwood engine visiting Swanage!
     
    Rumpole, Jan 11, 2026
    #2
  3. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Be good to see an Austerity again at Swanage.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Jan 11, 2026
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  4. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    Odd that this is the same weekend as the Dean Forest Spring Steam Gala which is where Rennes is based.
     
    malc, Jan 11, 2026
    #4
  5. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    The DFR gala is a 'small engines' gala using 0-4-0s only.
     
    JBTEvans, Jan 11, 2026
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  6. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    I see that both "Spam Cans" will be in the line up. This plus the River Frome bridge running in and of itself suggests that once again, I may make the 260 mile return trip. If only the weather willl oblige as gloriously as it did for last year's galas! Here, rather late to the party, are two of my pictures of a couple of last year's guests:- 30506 Afflington small.jpg 4953 Wurzel Crossing small.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2026
    John Petley, Jan 13, 2026
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  7. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I see it looks like the railways official photographer gets in your images as well John.:)
    The weather on the Sunday of the Autumn Gala was not that good in the late afternoon.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Jan 13, 2026
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  8. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    ....and everybody else's ;) <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:11 PM
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  9. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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    There are clues on the Swanage Facebook page that I think are hinting towards Betton Grange being the second visitor.

    Sent from my SM-A166B using Tapatalk
     
    Paul.Uni, Jan 21, 2026 at 4:34 PM
    #9
  10. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Hinting?!

    "Secret Squirrel has again been left behind, whilst the Admin team take the opportunity for a rest in the build up. Where you say? Once again they’ve told us they’re lauding it up as Kings and Queens in a Castle, but it’s far more likely to be Manor, that is probably a Hall (or something similar) in a hamlet in Shropshire, that was the 81st listing on the website they booked from."
     
    5944, Jan 21, 2026 at 5:15 PM
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