[Jan 3, 2026] Swanage Railway Winter Warm Up - Jan 3rd and 4th 2026 (Dorset)

The Swanage Railway is hosting their Annual Winter Warm Up on January 3rd and 4th, with a total of 5 locomotives in use on each day and trains running between Swanage and the River Frome on the “extension” towards Worgret Junction.

Currently the planned locomotive roster includes;

• T3 Class Number 563
• U Class Number 31806
• Battle of Britain Class Number 34070 “Manston”
• Class 33 33053
• Class 33 D6515 “LT Jenny Lewis RN”

There will be 3 sets in use including 2 main sets and a 3rd featuring a mixture of passenger stock and non-passenger carrying stock which will operate a Swanage to Corfe Shuttle.

Webpage will be updated to include WTT and loco allocations soon - https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/winter-warm-up

 

34028 Eddystone should be back from main line duties after taking the Three Bridges to Bristol TM and back to Salisbury on 13th December.
Whether it will be steamed for this event I have no idea.

 

I noticed this on the webpage, not sure if this is a copy paste from elsewhere or a new Swanage policy.
Obviously "gricing dogs" now unwelcome unless they also perform an assistance role (timing?)
Unsure what the thing about one booking to cover all seats means either for a gala.

• Assistance dogs are permitted on trains. Other dogs may be present on platforms. If someone in your party is nervous around dogs, contact info@swanagerailway.co.uk before your visit.
• If you wish to sit near another family, please make one booking to cover all seats.
• Alcohol may only be consumed if purchased from Swanage Railway bars or outlets. Bringing your own alcohol is not permitted.
• Please treat staff, volunteers, and fellow passengers with courtesy and respect. Swanage Railway may refuse entry or travel to anyone whose behaviour causes concern.
• Please be considerate of our heritage, community, and neighbours during your visit.

 

This has now been officially confirmed on Facebook - Eddystone will be running instead of Manston.

 

The timetable is also now available on Facebook - I have attached the PDF version below as it hasn’t been uploaded to the website yet.

 

Am I right in assuming this is the first time 34028 has faced Swanage other than this years Swanage Belle and the engine a coach move last Saturday?
It must be the first SR event where it has come back from Bridge 4 facing Swanage.
I do have this image of it facing Swanage but not sure it really counts.

 

Faced Swanage for the 2023 Polar Express season, followed by the 2024 Winter Warm Up.

It also did a couple of photos charters early in it's first ticket facing Swanage (2005, 2006 time), but I agree that other than these it has spent the majority of its time facing London.

 

Thanks, must check my images more carefully, plus as so recent shows old age is creeping up.

 

As no trains cross at Harmans Cross will the signal box be manned and if not will all trains use the down line? Thanks. Don

 

All trains are booked to use the Down line, but the signal box will be staffed to split the long section.

 

I hope the Swanage isn’t becoming “anti dog” as I take my pooch on most of my gricing trips. That said, I wouldn’t subject her to crowded trains at a gala.

 

Thanks

A follow up question if I may. What happens to the stock of the Misto at Corfe Castle? I can work out what happens to the locos every two hours but not on the other two hours. I am trying to work out when and where I can get most shots of 34028 without leaving Corfe Castle station area as we will wont have a car. We are starting on the 1115 ex Swanage

Don

 

Swanage Winter Warmer 2025. Same again 'next' year?

 

Having looke

Having looked again the MXD stock must stable at Norden. Am I right or just even more senile?

Don

Don

 

The mixed set will shunt into the Up Siding upon arrival at Corfe, with the engine going onto the back of the next service over the road. The steam engine that detached at Corfe on the previous down will then take the mixed set back to Swanage.

 

But surely that doesn’t work with 34028 off the 1207 off Frome?

 

Unless there is a crossover at the Swanage end of the up sidings