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Swanage Railway Diesel Gala 2026 8-10 May 2026

341o2

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Now cancelled, was perhaps ambitious starting in Derby, then West London, and moving to Weymouth after Swanage and return same day. So limited time for those who wanted to see the gala.

The LU 4TC is coming from Eastleigh (rather than London), so no Thursday railtour, returning Sunday, this year.
Also, wouldn't have run direct to the railway, a bus service provided from Wareham.
 
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RailUK Forums

158760

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69004 now announced, but BLS says 99 still possible
This is a funny looking 69 :D:D
IMG_9330.jpeg
“After many months in the making, we are thrilled to announce that thanks to our friends at GB Railfreight, joining us for this year’s Diesel Gala & Beer Festival and making the class’s UK passenger debut is Class 99 99004!

“We have also been advised that the class 73 joining us (also courtesy of GB Railfreight) will be 73141. This will be 73141’s first visit to a Swanage Railway Diesel Gala.”

Interesting that it’s now 73141 as the BLS posted and not 73119, shows me not to blindly trust HOPS!
 

31160

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This is a funny looking 69 :D:D
View attachment 203632
“After many months in the making, we are thrilled to announce that thanks to our friends at GB Railfreight, joining us for this year’s Diesel Gala & Beer Festival and making the class’s UK passenger debut is Class 99 99004!

“We have also been advised that the class 73 joining us (also courtesy of GB Railfreight) will be 73141. This will be 73141’s first visit to a Swanage Railway Diesel Gala.”

Interesting that it’s now 73141 as the BLS posted and not 73119, shows me not to blindly trust HOPS!
I did say BLS said
 

Forty29

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Perhaps BLS got their wires crossed about 69004 though they are usually reliable with info.

Great variety at the gala will go and give Severn Valley a miss this year can't be dealing with all that GM stuff though many will go and enjoy it.
 

158760

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Perhaps BLS got their wires crossed about 69004 though they are usually reliable with info.

Great variety at the gala will go and give Severn Valley a miss this year can't be dealing with all that GM stuff though many will go and enjoy it.
The original plan was for a Class 69, so perhaps that’s where they got the info from.
 

Invincible

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Also, wouldn't have run direct to the railway, a bus service provided from Wareham.
The write up implied the day railtour from Derby would actually visit Swanage, (no need for a bus from Wareham).
Presumably top and tailed with the 73 and 66, so it could go onto Weymouth and return.
But immaterial now
 

norbitonflyer

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This is a funny looking 69 :D:D
View attachment 203632
“After many months in the making, we are thrilled to announce that thanks to our friends at GB Railfreight, joining us for this year’s Diesel Gala & Beer Festival and making the class’s UK passenger debut is Class 99 99004!
Quelle dommage.
Too many commitments to get to either Swanage this weekend or Bo'ness next weekend. I wonder when the next opportunity for class 99 haulage will be? (The way things are giing down at Long Rock, maybe the Night Riviera should try one out?)
 

158760

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I’ve attached the new Public Timetable with all of the correct allocations below.
 

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  • Diesel Gala 2026 PTT V4.pdf
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Quelle dommage.
Too many commitments to get to either Swanage this weekend or Bo'ness next weekend. I wonder when the next opportunity for class 99 haulage will be? (The way things are giing down at Long Rock, maybe the Night Riviera should try one out?)
Got my fingers crossed for the Watercress Line Diesel Gala!
 

341o2

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The write up implied the day railtour from Derby would actually visit Swanage, (no need for a bus from Wareham).
Presumably top and tailed with the 73 and 66, so it could go onto Weymouth and return.
But immaterial now
https://www.ukrailtours.com/product/the-dorset-coast-explorer-swanage-diesel-gala-and-beer-festival/ See Option2
 

158760

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33025 is now standing in for 45041, except for the preview day where 26007 will work 45041’s services.
Diesel Gala announcement!

We are excited and grateful to announce that thanks to our friends West Coast Railways, Class 33 33025 joins the lineup!

33025 is joining us to stand in for Class 45 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” which was sadly unable to be collected from the Nene Valley Railway today due to some unfortunate circumstances outside of our control.

33025 will work all of 45041’s booked trains on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

26007 will work 45041’s booked trains tomorrow (Thursday Preview Day).
 

OPRail

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Will the 99 be with another loco on 0Z47 in the morning or on its own? TIA.
Seems to be running light from initial reports

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Anyone know the pathing for 33025 yet? Had a look, but unable to see anything.
 

Forty29

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X3 Crompton then at the gala . Shame about the 45.
All three class 33's in corfe castle station a moment ago!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Beautiful weather for it I'm off to stay in Swanage for the weekend managed to find somewhere to stay.
 

norbitonflyer

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The 58 has failed. Replaced by 73141 for the rest of today.
It does seem to be making a habit of this.

It was suppsoed to be at the Chinnor diesel day in 2020, but was withdrawn because of "transit issues" shortly before the whole event was scrapped because of the Dreaded Lurgi. Then it was withdrawn from the Severn Valley's Diesel Festival in May 2023 at short notice. It seems I was very fortunate to get it on its first run at the SVR's autumn diesel gala in 2024, especially as I understand the "20" to which it was coupled for brake translation purposes ended up doing most of the work the next day.
 

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