Swanage Railway Autumn Steam Gala - Class of 67

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/detail/autumn-steam-gala-2017

 

Any thoughts on what any other Swanage Branch relevant visiting loco may be (as website says guest locos announced so far) BR 76XXX Class 4?

 

The Bluebell's Q used to be a regular visitor on the branch freight when it wad a Bournemouth engine. That would be nice?

 

Whatever the next loco is, its Sure to be another great Swanage gala, Well thought out,well planned, With great communication.

Looking forward to it,

 

I notice the mention of another visiting loco has disappeared off the Swanage website. However unless it is an error a one day rover is £15 (£25 for two days). As a freedom of the line is normally £20 this must be the gala deal of the year! I did see the Standard Tank appeared to fail during service today and is now inside the shed, hopefully nothing too major.

 

I'm sure that the Swanage people will pull something out of a hat. Even as things stand, 41312 is quite a draw, having worked the line in BR days, but I have to say they have had a rotten run of things since the prang involving 34070 and 80104. Think of what could have been working at the gala but now isn't:
34070: now withdrawn for overhaul (and repair to frame)
34072: looks like it won't be ready in time
30120: the Swanage Railway's regular "super sub" needs some serious work before it can steam again
31874: admittedly, it has been apparent for a while that the N wouldn't make it, but earlier in the year, it looked at least a possibility
Then 30053 is rather "iffy". Sounded OK on my visit two weeks ago, but I'm no expert!

Still, let's wait and see what transpires. Every effort will be made to make this a successful event, I am sure.

 

Cancelled - http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/detail/autumn-steam-gala-2017 - to be fair, pretty hard to run a Steam Gala when you are struggling to keep steam locos in operation. Probably a sensible - albeit maybe unpopular decision.

 

What with the complications surrounding the Wareham DMMUs on top of their steam woes, the Swanage has had a torrid year, availability wise. A painful learning experience, but they're a resilient lot who've overcome bigger hurdles before and doubtless will do again this time.

 

There will be a visiting steam locomotive on the narrow gauge line at the PMMM at Norden that weekend. We are not offering driver for a fiver however we hope to be able to run short demonstration freight trains subject to the locomotives owners allowing it.

 

Swanage would make a great railway for a class 50 gala