¨A classic Southern Railway N15 King Arthur class locomotive is to star in the Swanage Railway’s three-day Autumn Steam Gala – “ an event featuring six locomotives in action spanning more than half a century.
The real Southern steam event takes place between Friday and Sunday, 16 to 18 October, 2015, inclusive.
It will be the first time the majestic No. 777 ‘Sir Lamiel’ -“ built for the Southern Railway in 1925 – “ has visited the Swanage Railway in more than five years.
In July 2010, the 80-ton locomotive hauled the popular ‘Swanage Belle’ excursion train from London to Corfe Castle and Swanage when it was painted in British Railways Brunswick Green livery and numbered No. 30777.
The Autumn Steam Gala will also be the first time that two Southern Railway steam locomotives designed by the company’s Chief Mechanical Engineer Richard Maunsell have worked together on the Swanage Railway – “ ‘Sir Lamiel’ and fellow tender locomotive ‘U’ class locomotive No. 31806.
Also being put through their paces during the Gala will be Victorian-designed T9 class locomotive No. 30120 dating from 1899, M7 tank No. 30053 built in 1905, Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific No. 34070 ‘Manston’ dating from the mid-1940s and British Railways Class 4 Tank No. 80104 built in 1955.
Like the iconic T9 No. 30120, 4-6-0 wheel arrangement ‘Sir Lamiel’ is part of the National Railway Museum’s national collection based in York.
A class 5 in terms of power, No. 30777 ‘Sir Lamiel’ was built for the Southern Railway in June, 1925, at North British Locomotive Company’s Hyde Park works in Glasgow. A total of 30 of the N15 class locomotives were built.
The locomotive was named after a fictional Knight of the Round Table in the 12th Century legend of King Arthur, Sir Lamiel of Cardiff.
Swanage Railway train times – “ and special event details – “ are available online at www.swanagerailway.co.uk or by telephone on 01929 425800.
