Swanage Railway Diesel Gala & Beer Festival MAY 2026

🗓️ Friday 8^th – Sunday 10^th May 2026

This year’s Swanage Railway Diesel Gala & Beer Festival features nine heritage diesel locomotives, plus a pioneering 1960s ‘push-pull’ train.

The three-day event showcases the railway’s own diesel engines as well as visiting locomotives from across the UK.

This year marks the 19^th annual gala and as always, there’ll be the mixed traction preview day (Thursday 7^th May).

The Locos for 2026

As well as resident 1960s Class 33 diesel locomotive No. 33 053 and Class 33 diesel-electric No. D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’, based at Swanage Railway, the following planned visiting heritage diesel locomotives are:

Class 20 No. 20 066 courtesy of Shaun Wright
Class 26 No. 26 007 courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz
Class 37 No. 37 607 courtesy of Swietelsky
Class 45 No. 45 041 ‘Royal Tank Regiment’, of the Peak Locomotive Company
Class 58 No. 58 023 ‘Leicester Depot’, Ed Stevenson
Class 73 No. 73 119 ‘Paul Taylor’, GB Railfreight and subject to availability
Plus, a mystery locomotive!, courtesy of GB Railfreight

4TC No.428 Corfe Castle - Andrew PM Wright

The 1966 Class 438 ‘push-pull’ 4TC four-carriage set No. 428, courtesy of London Transport, is also visiting – it operated between London and Swanage from 1967 to 1969 as well as on the main line between London and Weymouth from 1967 to 1988 when the Bournemouth to Weymouth line was electrified.

There’ll be services in operation along the length of the heritage line, with most trains operating the entire length – past Norden Station and beyond Furzebrook to the River Frome within sight of Wareham.

And the ever-popular evening Beerex trains will be running to and from the beer festival at Corfe Castle Railway Station on the Friday and Saturday nights as part of the event.

The beer festival this year will showcase 40 Dorset-produced real ales and ten ciders, with hot food available from midday till late on each day of the event.

Entry to the beer festival at Corfe Castle Station is free.

You’ll also find various trade stands at Swanage Station where you can find vintage railway memorabilia and train-related souvenirs.

For all updates, timetables and ticket information, please visit the Swanage Railway website: www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/diesel-gala-and-beer-festival-2026