Southern Railway ‘U’ class 2-6-0 locomotive No 31806 at Corfe Castle
and Swanage in September, 1955, with a train from Bournemouth and Basingstoke
© John H Aston courtesy of Andrew PM Wright
The star of the show at this weekend’s Steam Gala and Vintage Transport Rally at Swanage is the classic 1928 Brighton-built U-class steam locomotive No 31806, nicknamed the ‘U-boat’. The event runs from Friday to Sunday, 6–8 September 2013. It also includes a rally next to Harman’s Cross station staged by the Bournemouth and Poole Preservation Club.
Five Swanage Railway-based locomotives will also be appearing at the Steam Gala – Victorian-designed London and South Western Railway M7 tank No 30053, late 1920s’ Great Western Railway tank No 6695, Southern Railway 1940s’ Bulleid Pacifics No 34028 ‘Eddystone’ and No 34070 ‘Manston’ as well as 1954 ex-British Railways Standard Class 4 Tank No 80104.
Swanage Railway general manager Richard Jones said: “Our Grand Steam Gala and Vintage Transport Rally will be an atmospheric, nostalgic and very enjoyable event with six steam locomotives in action, evening trains and also demonstration freight trains giving a nostalgic taste of yesteryear.
“It’s a great day out for both the family and the enthusiast with the Vintage Transport Rally next to Harman’s Cross offering some 500 exhibits – from classic cars and lorries to traction engines and motorcycles. Passengers buying Day Rover tickets gain free entry to the Vintage Transport Rally.”
Swanage Railway train times and special event details are available by going online and visiting www.swanagerailway.co.uk or by calling the Swanage Railway on 01929 425800.
