Swanage Railway Diesel Gala 08 - 10 May 2026

I'm a nostalgic diesel fan, late 50's and sixties.
This is certainly a coup for the organisers.
These loco's have only recently passed their acceptance trails and have never hauled passengers in this country.
Well done them.

 

Not sure what is happening with the collection convoy. RTT says cancelled between Peterborough and Orton Mere.
Also going via basically Birmingham seems a hell of a long way around from Peterborough to Swanage.

 

Derailment at Wansford yard according to wnxxforum.co.uk. 45041 won't be attending.

 

Thanks, funnily enough decided to have a look on there after I posted here. I guess they may still have been hopeful if the move from Loughborough still went to Peterborough.

 

The Peak was meant to run up to Orton Mere to join the convoy there by the sounds of it, but it's stuck in the yard behind the derailment and damaged track. I guess it's unlikely that 99004, heading south through Peterborough tomorrow to pick up the 4-TC from Eastleigh, could call in and pick up 45041.

 

Although even if it did that it will not make its turns tomorrow. My vote would be for the 58 as the replacement.
Edit
The railways Facebook says the 26.

 

33205 confirmed as replacement for 45041 - 26 works 45041s trains tomorrow

 

Updated Diesel Gala timetable https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/uploads/diesel_gala_2026_public_tt_v95_07_05_26.pdf

 

Great work by the railway and WCRC to come up with 33025. Next problem seems to be for it and the two GBRF locos plus the 4TC to actually get here as the radio issues means very little seems to make it as far as Wareham since about 10:00.
Diesel Gala seems stuck with issue recently, two trips to Chinnor last year for the 47 and I think from memory the previous year Rodney failed after about 6 miles.
Did have a ride on the first train as my season ticket covers today, which despite the Thusday (obviously a Dorset Day of the week ) timetable was 20066 and 25007. The 20 a move for the Driver experience on the extension today. Of course the 20 drowned out the 26 on the climb to Harmans.
Hope the weekend goes well without any issues from either the locos or passengers.

 

Well, some good news. 99.004 + 73.141 are approaching Southampton as of 4pm. <BJ>

Realtime Trains | 5Z73 1621 Eastleigh East Yard to Swanage | 07/05/2026

 

I accept it was only doing a speed of 25 or less but could not believe how quiet the 99 was when I photographed it at Creech.

 

Most probably had it pantograph up and running on static electricity

 

How the heck will it cope with the inclines of the Swanage Railway without it's 8,270 hp electric motor. Oh yes, it'll have its diesel engine ...a mere 2,400 hp. That's an amazing loco. BJ>

 

I keep pinching myself that this fine machine is at Swanage when I consider what we had 40 years ago. Photo credit Ben Dolman

 

I consider myself very privileged to be rostered as Conductor Driver on it tomorrow. Might even have to dig a tie out.

 

The 2,400 hp Cummins engine is very quiet in comparison with some smaller engined locos. User-friendly in the built-up areas of Swanage and Corfe Castle.
Both GBRf and LU representatives I spoke to at Corfe were not terribly complimentary about NR's lineside (lack of) vegetation clearance en-route between Eastleigh and Wareham.
Marked paintwork will be noted by many during the Gala no doubt.

 

58023 was failed yesterday morning, it has been replaced since and for the remainder of the gala by Class 73 No. 73141

 

Although this was copied of the Railway's Facebook page I did see this sign affixed the gate at Harmans Cross Station yesterday afternoon. I find it quite sad that certain elements of our hobby need this sort of reminder.

 

In regards to the respect and curtesy, I wonder if the signage has been displayed elsewhere as I've always found the staff at Harmans Cross very friendly, helpful and polite. It appears tbat there is always a small minority that enjoy being nasty to others. [BJ]

 

73.141 + 99.004 + 4TC 09:30 5Z73 Swanage to Eastleigh. Departed 5 mins early. <BJ>

Realtime Trains | 5Z73 0930 Swanage to Eastleigh Works Gbrf | 11/05/2026