🗓️ Friday 11th – Sunday 13th September 2026
Sae the date for Swanage Railway’s autumn Steam Gala.
It’s an annual three-day event showcasing the railway’s home fleet of locomotives, plus special guest locos.
There’ll be both passenger and freight services running on the heritage line, with trains running between Swanage, Norden and over the extension.
Trains will run across the weekend, calling at Harmans Cross, Corfe Castle and request stop Herston Halt.
Plus, visitors can enjoy freight train brake van rides and the evening beer-ex train special (beer menu below).
Guest locomotives for 2025 included the 1930s Southern Railway ‘Schools’ class express steam locomotive No. 926 ‘Repton’. It was the first time the Repton hauled trains in Dorset since it was based in Bournemouth during WWII.
2025 Line-Up
The loco line-up for 2026 is to be announced, but here’s a look at last year’s locomotives:
Home Fleet Locomotives
- LSWR T3 Class Number 563
- Battle of Britain Class Number 34070 ‘Manston’
- Battle of Britain Class Number 34072 ‘257 Squadron’
- Maunsell U Class Number 31806
Guest Locomotives
- S15 Class Number 30506, courtesy of Urie Locomotive Society
- No. 926 Repton, courtesy of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Please visit Swanage Railway’s website for further information, updates and to buy tickets: www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/autumn-steam-gala
