2023 Diesel Gala

Stoborough

A massive "thank you" to the Swanage Railway diesel gala committee, the railway in general, and the visiting locomotive owners and supporters, in fact to everyone involved in one way or another, for making 2023 another fantastic event, I hope it was a big success. The final view is of D345, now trailing 1R15 16:32 River Frome Viaduct - Swanage, partially reflected in the water.

Thanks to Sparky and Wetbag for your company today, it was a blast.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Stoborough

And so the long wait began, in fact it was an hour and twenty minutes waiting in the swamp, as the service appeared to be running later and later south of Corfe Castle. Eventually approaching its destination about an hour down is D345 leading 1R14 15:39 Swanage - River Frome Viaduct, out-of-sight to the rear is D6515 Lt Jenny Lewis RN substituting 50021 Rodney. Whilst it would have been nice to have gotten the 50 here, the late running caused by its failure, meant the sun angle, and the suns lower position, was a great improvement, and this was certainly my favourite shot of the weekend, it was worth getting a bit sunburnt for whilst waiting.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Stoborough

A quick reposition, and wet feet, to Tidmore crossing captures the back working, the 'Clayton' now trailing the five-coach set, as 33111 starts the 1-in-78 climb up to Furzebrook, now running as 1R13 15:32 River Frome Viaduct - Swanage.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Stoborough

In fantastic conditions 'Clayton' D8568, provided courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group, runs up towards the Swanage Railway operational boundary leading 1R12 14:39 Swanage - River Frome Viaduct, slightly obscured by the trees is 33111.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Harmans Cross

With incoming cloud from the north it looked like it might be home for another early bath, thankfully it was very short lived, and in fact melted away pretty quickly. The immaculate D345 has just passed beneath Afflington bridge, carrying the main A351 between Corfe Castle and Swanage, and starts going into the long sweeping curve round towards Harmans Cross working 1R09 13:32 River Frome Viaduct - Swanage with 50021 Rodney to the rear. Nice touch with the displayed headcode, was it for Kings Cross or Scarborough?

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Harmans Cross

Provided courtesy of the Peak Locomotive Company is 45108, looking immaculate in its late 1970's/early 1980's style with the black dot-matrix headcode panel, its a real credit to all those involved. This is a going-away shot, again you'd never really know, near Harmans Cross, of the superb Class 45 on the rear of 1R10 13:39 Swanage - River Frome Viaduct, D6515 Lt Jenny Lewis RN is at the business end towards Afflington bridge.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Harmans Cross

A real shame the Class 47 was restricted to the 'Corfe shuttles' with the 4TC unit, it would have been nice for it to have been used on the entire length of the line, but being air-only limited its operational use, pretty much like 73201 Broadlands. First up with this little session here, following a quick lunch break, is 47830 Beaching's Legacy operating 2C09 13:39 Corfe Castle - Swanage, again with the London Transport 4TC.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Harmans Cross

Not quite enough time to get set-up, so a grabbed shot of 47830 Beaching's Legacy passing Woodyhyde User Worked Crossing with 2C10 13:15 Swanage - Corfe Castle shuttle service.

13 May 2023

(6D)

Herston

The final shot here, before moving on, and Swanage Railways D6515 (33012) Lt Jenny Lewis RN passes Herston with 1R05 11:32 River Frome Viaduct - Swanage 45108 is the tail-end loco.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Herston

Worth waiting an hour for, now that the sun angle was perfect. With Eastleigh Freightliner driver John Hill in charge 47830 Beaching's Legacy departs Herston with the 4TC as 2C05 11:39 Corfe Castle - Swanage in some stunning weather.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Herston

To be honest, this was a first for me (I think), I don't recall ever seeing a Class 17 'Clayton', let alone see one working. I was rather impressed with this 'star of the show', and well done to those involved with the gala organisation for securing another first for the Swanage Railway. This is actually a going-away shot at Herston, not that you'd really know, of D8568 on the tail-end of 1R06 11:39 Swanage - River Frome Viaduct, hauled by resident Class 33/1 No.33111.

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Herston

Following the previous days failed attempt here due to the weather, I was keen to make a return, this time chauffeuring around Sparky and Wetbag. First up, and in greatly improved weather conditions, the immaculate 50021 Rodney, hauling 1R03 10:32 River Frome Viaduct - Swanage, the superb D345 is the tail-end loco. Its been a long time coming for the dedicated owners/volunteers of this locomotive, but surely the wait was worth it? Whilst not completely trouble free running over the gala weekend, surely it can only get better from here onwards?

13 May 2023

(6D PL)

Harmans Cross

The signalman's view from Harmans Cross Signal Box (thanks for the tea Nick), with Freightliner's 47830 Beaching's Legacy approaching hauling the 4TC set, running as 2C07 12:39 Corfe Castle - Swanage. The headboard reads 'Freightliner Eastleigh On Tour'.

12 May 2023

(6D)

Harmans Cross

The first full day of the 2023 Swanage Railway diesel gala finds 50026 Indomitable out, vice 50021 Rodney, seen here at Wilderness footpath crossing, working 1R05 11:32 River Frome Viaduct - Swanage, 45108 being the tail-end loco. With a lot of people these days using poles (or ladders), myself included, it was refreshing to do a low-level shot like this.

12 May 2023

(6D)

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