Swanage Railway Diesel Gala 08 - 10 May 2026

https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/diesel-gala-and-beer-festival-2026

The organising committee is already hard at work

 

58023 "Leicester Depot" named as first visitor a couple of days ago:
https://www.facebook.com/swanagerai...m-gala-and-model-railway-we/1315216293972740/

 

This i believe is the 2nd visitor to be announced as its elswhere on the net that Class 45 loco 45041 is visiting.
Both locos will be popular.

 

Subsequent visitor announcements -
45041 "Royal Tank Regiment" courtesy of The Peak locomotive Company
37607 or 37610 courtesy of Swietelsky
All subject to change, availability, etc.

 

The timetable for the diesel gala minus the loco allocations is now available here, and it looks like the LUL 4TC is back again this year.

 

Is the preview day all diesel this year (as shown on the timetable page of the website) or as it has been historically before, one steam and diesel?

 

It’s showing on HOPS as one steam, one diesel.

 

Thanks, the railways timetables (on line and on stations) seem to be suffering some inaccuracies at the moment.

 

Yes, I had noticed that at stations. I think most staff are aware of it so it should be fixed for the next lot of posters.

 

The Diesel Gala timetable is now available with loco allocations. The identity of the visiting GBRF engine is still TBC.

 

I ended up emailing the Marketing Director and she responded very quickly with a website update (within 24 hours) for the Diesel Preview day, and when I had a ride on Saturday I noticed the Swanage poster (at least) at been changed to all steam for the Blue Timetable. I was very impressed with her response.

 

There had been suggestions elsewhere that the visiting gbrf loco was something newer than a 69.

 

Yes, I’d seen that and it would be very nice if it was something newer! I was basing it off our WTT and crewing diagrams, which currently says 69xxx. We’ll have to wait and see…

 

ARRIVALS
Wednesday 6th May:
WCRC movement from Barrow Hill to Swanage via the Brush factory at Loughborough as well as calling in at the Nene Valley Railway for 45041 I think.
This should bring in 37607 (courtesy of Swietelsky)+20066 (Shaun Wright)+26007 (Victor Korzeniewicz)+45041 "Royal Tank Regiment" (Peak Locomotive Company)+58026 "Leicester Depot" (Ed Stevenson)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...6/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...6/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...6/detailed

Thursday 7th May: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...7/detailed
GBRf from Eastleigh to Swanage with 73119 "Paul Taylor" [requested] + another loco ? + LU's 4TC

EDIT
Unfortunately UK Railtours have cancelled their "The Dorset Coast Explorer" on 9th May due to lack of bookings.

 

No surprise with the tour really, as they would have had little time at the gala, especially with the diversion due to engineering works.

 

99004 and 73141 confirmed

 

A 99? Well it is the seaside.

 

Crushed nuts?

 

No, laryngitis...

 

Not being a diesel fanatic I had to look up what a Class 99 is. Although I realise I have seen images of them in Railway Herald.