Swanage Diesel Gala 10 - 12 May 2013

[1708]

Official Press Release:


'The Swanage Railway are delighted to announce final details for the Railways forthcoming 8th annual Diesel Gala and Dorset Beer Festival (Organised and run by The Globe Pub,Swanage), which is running over the weekend of Friday 10th to Sunday 12th May 2013.

There will be an intensive 3 train service operating between Swanage and Norden Park & Ride from 08:00 to midnight each day (19:00 on Sunday) with all trains hauled by visiting diesels and those based at the Swanage Railway.

The confirmed line up for this years gala is:- (all locos subject to availability of course)

Class 08s - D3591 and 08436
Class 20s - 20189 and 20227 - Courtesy of the Class 20 Association
Class 31 - 31466 - Courtesy of the Dean Forest Diesel Association
Class 33 - 33108 - Courtesy of the Class 33/1 Preservation Group
Class 33s - D6515 and 33111
Class 37 - 37xxx - Courtesy of HNRC
Class 44 - D4 'Great Gable' - Courtesy of the Peak Locomotive Group
Class 55 - 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' - Courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society
Class 56 - 56006 - Courtesy of the Class 56 Group
4 VEP - 3417

Class 08 shunters 08436 and D3591 will be operating over the full length of the line each morning, before operating brake van rides at Harmans Cross. There will be a donation box on these services. All donations will go to 'Heroes Haven Swanage' ( http://www.heroes-haven.org.uk/ ), a local based charity who provide holidays for disabled Servicemen and Women.

There will be a 'Beerex' service, plus the Wessex Belle Bistro dining train in operation on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Advance booking on the Wessex Belle is highly recommended.Traction for these services will announced prior to the Gala.

For the 3 days of the Gala there will be a rare chance to drive a class 08 (either 08436 or D3591) on the Norden to Matala section of the Railway for £20. Advance booking will be available for this by contacting the Swanage Railway or at the Gala.

Additional Driver Experience course are also being offered utilizing Class 20 (20227),Class 44 (D4),Class 55 (55019) and Class 56 (56006).The dates for these courses and prices can all be found on the Swanage Railway website. http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/bfw13.htm

This year there will also be a extra diesel running day around the 3 day Diesel Gala. On Thursday 9th May 'Push Pull Day' will feature 33108 and 33111 with 4 Vep 3417 in various Push Pull and Top & Tail modes through out the day. This will be operated as a additional service to the scheduled steam hauled trains operated on the 'Blue ' timetable.

The Swanage Railway have also made a number of spaces available to trade stands. Any group or association interested in attending should contact [email protected]

Diesel Gala adult rover tickets are available for £23 for a one day rover, £34 for 2 days and £41 for all 3 days. In addition, there are also a range of discounted fares available for Children, 'Priv' card holders and CAMRA members at £17 for a one day rover, £26 for 2 days and £32 for all 3 days.

For regular updates on this years gala,please visit either the dedicated Diesel Gala page on the Swanage Railway website ( http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/bfw13.htm ) or via Face book ( 'Swanage Railway Diesel Gala' )

For any further updates and details please visit the Swanage railway website (http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/ ), by phone 01929 425800, or contact 'The Swanage Railway',Station House, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1HB.'

 

[gazthomas]

An outstanding line up. Lets hope at least half gets there! Just kidding guys. I'll be there.

 

[TGVDUDE]

Friday for me hopefully

 

[455driver]

Is there likely to be a (vintage?) bus running to and From Wareham so those of us that would otherwise need to drive there can partake of a shandy or 2?

 

[matt]

Friday and Saturday for me, b and b already booked

 

[1708]

Is there likely to be a (vintage?) bus running to and From Wareham so those of us that would otherwise need to drive there can partake of a shandy or 2?

Probably not....but the trains connect at Wareham with bus service to Norden - Corfe and Swanage.

Ask for Norden roundabout and the station is just round the corner off first exit.

If big enough group get a taxi....will ask them later how much it would cost to Norden. I expect £3-4 each (thats a guess)

 

[341o2]

my experience of taxis is that it works out at about £3.50 per mile,

Bus service is hourly, leaving Wareham at 04 mon - sat & 24 mins past hour Sun

Alternative service Bournemouth - Swanage via Sandbanks ferry

 

[Tractionman]

Fantastic line-up - am looking into flights already to get across for this! I was there last year for the gala, which despite the probs was a great weekend.

Alternative service Poole - Swanage via Sandbanks ferry

yes, but remember to go to the gents before getting on this service!!! It's a long (but nice) ride if you've had a few shandies and have a weak bladder

cheers,

Keith

 

[341o2]

please note correction, that the service starts from Bournemouth, not Poole and doesn't go through Poole. sunday service every 2 hours, which is why a visit will be far more attractive when regular service to Wareham is resumed. Two years ago, my first visit was not entirely a success as I found myself constantly checking the time, especially as both galas I attended ended up with trains running some 45 minutes late, was there enough time before catching the bus

http://www.morebus.co.uk/service.shtml?serviceid=1563

 

[Birdbrain]

You can connect onto the Service 50 by using the 52 from Poole to Sandbanks. Not sure if it runs often on a Sunday though

 

[455driver]

Thanks for the bus info guys, much appreciated, might just do the train and taxi thing (if its only about £15 each way), hate waiting for buses that may or may not turn up.

Maybe there should be a "muster point" at Wareham where we could all meet up to share the taxi?

 

[341o2]

You can connect onto the Service 50 by using the 52 from Poole to Sandbanks. Not sure if it runs often on a Sunday though

no sunday service on 52. Leaves Poole hourly @45 mins past hour, arr Sandbanks 09 past hr. At the top of W&D page, it does say sunday hourly, but no evening service, but no sunday times shown. Maybe page not entirely updated for winter service?
does appear to connect with service 50