A trip down to the south coast was called for during the final weekend of March, as the 24th, 25th & 26th saw the Swanage Railway holding their first steam gala since October 2019! The gala featured up to five locomotivea in action, working a mix of passenger and freight trains between Swanange and Norden, along with top-and-tailed passenger runs between Norden and the boundary between the Swanange Railway and Network Rail, at the bridge over the River Frome.

Two guest locos, both of BR Standard designs, joined the home fleet. These were 70000 'Britannia', courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd, and 76084, courtesy of the North Norfolk Railway. A fitting selection, with 2023 marking the 75th anniversary of the formation of British Railways.

A bit of a mixed outing, due to the inclement weather of strong winds and occasional rain, some rather late running - not helped by a lineside fire in the afternoon - and my own inability to make the best of use the timetable and locations available. Standard stuff, really. Still, this isn't to say the day was without its highlights and I've certainly had far worse ones!

The full line up:

Home Fleet:

- SR 'West Country' Class 4-6-2 No.34028 'Eddystone'
- SR 'West Country' Class 4-6-2 No.34070 'Manston'
- SR U Class 2-6-0 No.31806*

Guests:

- BR Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 No.76084
- BR Standard Class 7MT 4-6-2 No.70000 'Britannia'

*Cameo appearances only

Timestamps:

00:00 34070, Corfe Common (Passenger)
01:49 34028, Cats Eye Crossing
03:13 76084, Townsend Lane Bridge
04:45 34070, Creech Bottom
06:25 70000, Cats Eye Crossing
08:01 34070, Corfe Common (Freight)
09:14 76084, Afflington
10:37 70000, King George Playing Field
12:16 76084, Creech Bottom

Filmed on Saturday 25th March, using a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone.

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