Train enthusiasts turn out for Swanage Railway's Autumn Steam Gala
19th October 2015
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A classic Southern Railway N15 King Arthur No. 777 Sir Lamiel was the star of the show at the event, which ran from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 and featured six locomotives.

The steam gala also featured a regular train service between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage for visitors to use across the weekend to get around and see the sights of Purbeck.

Matt Green, general manager, said: "It's been an absolutely superb event. It has been great to have so many engines running this weekend and the weather has been good to us as well.

"We had an engine called Sir Lamiel which has come from the National Railway Museum's national collection and has travelled from London to Purbeck in the past."

The 80-ton locomotive was last seen in the area in July 2010 when it hauled the popular Southern Belle excursion train from London to Corfe Castle and Swanage when it was painted in British Railways Brunswick Green livery and numbered No. 30777.

The event proved a trip down memory lane for George Crouch, who lives near Lymington, as he said that he used to work for British Railways as a steam locomotive fireman based at their Eastleigh depot in Hampshire.

He said that it was the first time that he had been on a King Arthur Class steam locomotive, such as the Sir Lamiel, since 1961.

Matt Green said that another special attraction for the event was the Victorian-designed T9 class locomotive No.30120, which dates back from to 1899.

Other locomotives included another Southern Railway steam locomotive, No. 31806, the M7 tank No. 30053 built in 1905, the Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific No. 34070 'Manston' dating from the mid-1940s and the British Railways Class 4 Tank No. 80104 built in 1955.

Mr Green said that the event would not have been possible without the work of the Swanage Railway volunteers who help to put on the event and give up their time to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

For more information on becoming a Swanage Railway volunteer, email Volunteer@swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk or call Mike Whitwam, volunteer liaison officer, on 01929 475212.

- Daily Echo

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