Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 9th May 2025 (part 1)

Images from the camera of Ian Knight.

37706 approaching Norden.

20066 at Swanage, now on the railway for the summer season.


50008 Thunderer in repose at Swanage.

33012 Lt Jenny Lewis RN arriving at Swanage.

69007 Richard Trevithick finally made it to the ball! Seen departing Swanage.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 10th May 2024 Part 6: Class 50s

 
50021 Rodney, after arrival with.1N01 09:39 Norden - Swanage. 73109 is in the short platform.


Rodney being held over on the turntable at Swanage.

50021 departing with 1R06 11:39 Swanage - River Frome Viaduct. The locomotive failed near Corfe Common, causing 90 minutes of disruption while being rescued by 33111. The fault was repaired, and 50021 was out on Saturday, succumbing to another minor fault later.

For the rest of Friday daytime, 50026 Indomitable  took over the duties, here seen on the rear of the delayed 1R10 13:39 Swanage- River Frome Viaduct, at Corfe Castle.

The locomotive returned with the delayed 1R11 14:32 River Frome Viaduct - Swanage, again at Corfe Castle.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 10th May 2024 Part 5: 20302 and 20311

20302 was new as D8084 from English Electric Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn, Darlington on 12th September 1961. Later renumbered 20084, it worked on Channel Tunnel construction for RFS as '2002', in the 1992 period. It became 20302 in December 1995, when rebuilt for DRS. Stored through much of the past decade, latterly at Bo'ness from July 2020, then sold to Locomotive Services, who traded it with HNRC in May 2023. Repainted into HNRC colours, at Eastleigh, in April 2024.

20311 was  either 20102 or 20190, sources now vary, but most say 20102. New as D8102 from English Electric Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn, Darlington on 1st December 1961, later 20102. Similarly, it went to RFS for Channel Tunnel work as '2008'. Rebuilt for DRS as 20311 in April 1998. Transferred from DRS to HNRC in April 2011.  It was one of a HNRC pair, which brought 59003 to Eastleigh in 2014.

20302 + 20311 arriving with 2C03 10:39 Corfe Castle - Swanage.

20302 + 20311 come into the station to work their next duty.

20302 and 20311 coupled and ready to work 2C08 12:15 Swanage - Corfe Castle 

A closer view of 20302 showing the DRS style multiple working connection.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 10th May 2024 Part 4: D5054 'Phil Southern'

1160hp Sulzer D5054, later 24054, was built at BR Crewe and introduced into traffic in December 1959. Stored from Crewe Diesel (CD) in May 1976 and withdrawn on 17th July 1976. Sent to the Western Region in August 1976 as ADB968008. a  carriage heating unit. Arrived at the East Lancashire Railway for preservation in October 1983.

Arriving at Swanage with 1R03 10:32 River Frome Viaduct -Swanage.

About to run under the Northbrook Road bridge.

It then returned to a repose upon the turntable.


Later in the day, at Corfe Castle, having come off a train from River Frome.


Running back into the gala loco sidings at Corfe Castle.

Flickr for the gala.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 10th May 2024 Part 3: 37219 'Jonty Jarvis 8-12-1998 to 18-3-2005'

37219 was new as D6919 from EE Vulcan Foundry in January 1964. Stored by EWS from Janaury 2001, it was at Eastleigh until preserved in 2005, initially at Chasewater. In November 2010 it was at Dereham, Mid Norfolk Railway, and was  later at the Pontypool & Blaenavon. Acquired by Colas in 2014, and returned to main line usage, mostly for test train workings.

37219 in platform 1 at Swanage.

The Jonty Jarvis name was transferred to this Colas loco from DRS 37229 which withdrawn  in December 2012, and scrapped in 2013. Jonty Jarvis, who died of meningitis in 2005 aged just 6,  was the son of a Network Rail manager, Paul Jarvis.

This end contains additional equipment to support survey wirk.

37219 returning to the station to attach to a train.

Departing with 2C06 11:15 Swanage - Corfe Castle.

Flickr for the gala.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 10th May 2024 Part 2: 69002 'Bob Tiller CM&EE'

69002 stood in for 69007, which failed on Wednesday 8th, on a working to Eastleigh, leading towards the gala. 69002 was formerly 56311, originally 56057, completed at BREL Doncaster on 27th March 1979. Following rebuild at Longport, it was outshopped from Eastleigh Works paintshop on 4th May 2021. In recent weeks it has been working between Eastleigh and Hoo.

Approaching Swanage with 2C05 11:39 Corfe Castle - Swanage.

As an air-brake only loco, 69002 was restricted to working with the 4-TC set, which reduced later opportunities when several of the Swanage - Corfe stopping trains were cancelled in the afternoon.

69002 in the platform at Swanage.

View of the cab interior.

Nameplate Bob Tiller CM&EE, which was unveiled on 10th July 2021.

Two further views in the platform at Swanage.

Flickr for the gala.

Return Convoy from Swanage, St Denys, 14th May 2024

D1015 WESTERN CHAMPION + 20311 + 20302 + 50021 Rodney + 50026 Indomitable
0Z50 10:32 Swanage - Eastleigh

Three pictures from The Image Team, taken at St Denys.

37219 returns from Swanage, Redbridge, 13th May 2024

37219 Jonty Jarvis 8-12-1998 to 18-3-2005 0F75 10:30 Swanage - Redbridge (reverse) -Westbury.. 56096 was then attached at Westbury, and the pair proceeded to the Colwick maintenance depot.

37219 was switched to the down line at Totton, this being bi-directional for access across the causeway to the Redbridge yards. This was used when wagons were stored at Marchwood through weekends. 

Entering the loop at Redbridge.

Now waiting in the siding.

Departure for Westbury.

37219 has now crossed the main line, and starting up the Test Valley towards Romsey and Salisbury.

33012 workings, 12th and 13th May 2024

'The Return of the Jurassic Crompton' 

33012 + 73109 + 4-TC + 69002 1Z35 14:20 Swanage - Waterloo approaching Eastleigh, 12th May.


D6515 running through platform 1, as the Up Fast was out of use with a signalling fault.



69002 on the rear.

On Monday 13th, at Redbridge, 33012 passing with 0Z36 11:05 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) - Swanage, which completed the recent series of workings.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala, 10th May 2024 Part 1: D1015 'WESTERN CHAMPION'

Now powered by two ex-Indian Navy MTU Series 538 engines, a 1969 period development of the Maybach MD655 which originally equipped the Western class.

WESTERN CHAMPION is readied at Swanage for its first turn of the day.


Nameplate and 'Powered by MTU' badge.

D1015 was new from BR Swindon on 21st January 1963, in a golden ochre scheme, and was withdrawn following a derailment on 8th December 1976. After some years at Swindon Works, it was acquired in 1980 by the Diesel Traction Group.

Departing with 1R04 10:39 Swanage - River Frome Viaduct.


Later in the day, at the field near Corfe Castle, with 1R14 1539 Swanage - River Frome Viaduct, but running very late after 50021 failed and disrupted the planned timetable.

A closer view, near to the foot crossing.

Flickr for the gala

'"The Jurassic Crompton", 9th May 2024

69002 Bob Tiller CM&EE + 73109 Battle of Britain 80th  Anniversary 1Z34 11:15 Waterloo - Swanage (33012 Lt Jenny Lewis RN added to lead from Woking, loco has an ETS fault)

33012 leads away from Southampton. Image by Ian Knight.

73109 on the rear. Image by Ian Knight.

A short while later, 33012 approaches Redbridge. Headcode '98' is for Swanage.

Running through the station.

73109 on the rear.