‘Scot’s’ Swanage debut

Making its debut on the Swanage Railway, rebuilt ‘Royal Scot’ No. 46115 Scots Guardsman hauls the RTC’s ‘Swanage Belle’ over the railway’s recently opened extension near Furzebrook on July 14. ANDREW P.M. WRIGHT


Rebuilt ‘Royal Scot’ No. 46115 Scots Guardsman has made its first ever visit to the Swanage Railway in Dorset, hauling a main line charter to the seaside resort on July 14.

As well as making its debut over the Purbeck Line, the visit from the Stanier 4‑6‑0 marked the first time that a ‘Royal Scot’ has run over Swanage Railway metals.

In another first, the ten-coach ‘Swanage Belle’, organized by the Railway Touring Company, was the first steam-hauled main line excursion to use the fully commissioned £500,000 level crossing at Norden station, the Swanage Railway’s current terminus.

Swanage Railway General Manager Matt Green said: “No. 46115 Scots Guardsman is an impressive steam locomotive and it was wonderful to see it running into Swanage at the head of the ‘Swanage Belle’."

“The fact that Scots Guardsman starred in the classic 1936 documentary film Night Mail makes the locomotive even more special.”

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