Diesel Gala
.JPG)
Our 18th annual Diesel Gala and Beer Festival takes place from Friday the 9th to Sunday 11th of May, with a Preview Day on Thursday the 8th.
We will have an intensive service in operation on all three days between Swanage and Norden only. Unfortuntately, we are not able to run trains between Norden and our Network Rail Boundary this year. This is due to ongoing infrastructure repairs following a bridge strike in August last year which has severed the line.
Repairs to the bridge will be completed in time to bring in the visiting locomotives and stock.
There will be three carriage sets in service each day, with all three sets operating over the full length of the line. One of these will be visiting Class 423 4VEP 3417 "Gordon Pettitt".
PREVIEW DAY
This year’s “Preview Day” on Thursday 8th of May will have a “Network SouthEast” theme, with Class 47 47715, Class 73 73128, and Class 423 4VEP 3417 in action alongside one of our resident steam locomotives.
Beer FESTIVAL
This year’s Beer Festival takes place once again in Corfe Castle Goods Yard adjacent to the Goods Shed. There are planned to be 45 Real Ales and Ciders on offer - all from the Dorset area. The Beer Festival will be open 1100 – 2300 Friday & Saturday, and 1100 – 1800 on Sunday. Entry to the Beer Festival is free. Hot food will be available on site into the evenings, and there will be live music on both Friday & Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoon. Please click the link below to download the Beer Menu.
Evening Services
On both Friday and Saturday evenings we will have our 'Beerex" train in operation to get you to and from the Beer Festival at Corfe. Traction for these will be announced soon.
Trade Stands
Swanage Station will play host to several trade stands, selling a variety of railway related items and railway models.
GB Railfreight will have a stand on Swanage Station selling a wide range of railway memorabillia and train components. All proceeds from this will go to charity.
Dates for Diesel Gala
| 9th May 2025 | Book Tickets |
| 10th May 2025 | Book Tickets |
| 11th May 2025 | Book Tickets |
.jpg)
Motive Power
| HOME FLEET | Details |
|---|---|
| Class 33, D6515 "Lt. Jenny Lewis RN." | Courtesy of 71a locomotive group |
| VISITING LOCOMOTIVES | Details |
| Class 20, 20066 | Courtesy of Shaun Wright |
| Class 45, 45108 | Courtesy of The Peak Locomotive Company |
| Class 56 (requested) | Courtesy of Colas Rail |
| Class 50, 50008 "Thunderer" | Courtesy of Hanson & Hall Rail |
| Class 69007 “Richard Trevithick” | Courtesy of GB Railfreight |
| Class 73 73128 “Kent & East Sussex Railway” | Courtesy of GB Railfreight |
| Class 47 47715 | Courtesy of Rail Engineering Solutions |
| VISITING ROLLING STOCK | Details |
|---|---|
| Class 423 4VEP 3417 "Gordon Pettitt" | Courtesy of Southern Electric Traction group |
All the above locos and stock are subject to availability.
Several more visiting locomotives to be announced soon!
.png)
2025 DIESEL GALA FARES
| TICKET TYPE | ADVANCE* | ON THE DAY |
|---|---|---|
| ADULT 1 Day Rover Ticket | £39.50 | £44.00 |
| CHILD 1 Day Rover Ticket | £25.00 | £30.00 |
| PRIV CARD 1 Day Rover** | £39.50 | £39.50 |
| ADULT 2 Day Rover Ticket*** | £63.00 | £70.00 |
| CHILD 2 Day Rover Ticket*** | £40.00 | £45.00 |
| ADULT 3 Day Rover Ticket | £83.00 | £92.00 |
| CHILD 3 Day Rover Ticket | £50.00 | £55.00 |
| Adult Single Ticket | £14.00 | £14.00 |
| Child Single Ticket | £7.00 | £7.00 |
| Adult Evening Rover (from 1800) | £11.00 | |
| Child evening Rover (from 1800) | £5.50 |
DISCOUNTS
| SCHEME | DISCOUNT AVAILABLE |
|---|---|
| Premier Life Members | 50% discount on all rover tickets**** |
| Lifetime Travel Members | 50% discount on all rover tickets**** |
| Ordinary Life Members | Can use their allocated free tickets**** |
| Annual Members | 33% discount on all rover tickets**** |
| Season Ticket Holders | 50% on all rover tickets**** |
*Advance Tickets available until Thursday, 8th May @ 1700.
For a return, purchase two single tickets.
** Priv card must be shown to collect tickets and upon inspection, otherwise Full rate will be charged.
*** Two day rovers are consecutive days.
****Tickets available on the day.
