SVR Spring Diesel Festival 14th-17th May 2026

The ORR intervened at the Swanage, based upon social media footage.

 

They've been in attendance at the ELR as well in the past after seeing footage and images of the behaviour there. It's bad enough it happening, but you have to be utterly brain dead to think it's acceptable to put it online.

 

Putting aside the obvious nature of their stupidity, their behaviour often makes it unpleasant for fellow passengers. Fortunately, Thursday was free of such idiots and it was a good day.

 

Very small minority acting stupidly on Saturday afternoon / evening too - flailing, shouting obscenities out of window, then preventing / blocking access from train doors at Kidderminster (including a disabled person). I believe security intervened in the end. Suspect too much alcohol and lack of maturity main issues. I recognised one of them from last year, its got to be the same people - surely wouldn't take much to ID them and deal with accordingly?
Otherwise a brilliant event, thoroughly enjoyed the 13 hours we spent on the railway - timetable only disrupted by some mobile beef burgers..

Very busy all day, must have been successful financially.

Extremely welcome and unusual to have the Deltic operating on both engines on a heritage railway - it went like stink!

Other extremely odd behaviour seen was several lads smearing themselves all over their face with Deltic engine oil...is this some strange ritual I have missed or some new health kick?!!
Either way, don't fancy the laundry bill!!