Autumn Steam Gala

Autumn Steam Gala Spectacular in Purbeck

📅 12 – 14 September 2025
📍 Swanage Railway, Isle of Purbeck

Step back in time at the Autumn Steam Gala Spectacular in Purbeck. Over three unforgettable days, six historic locomotives from the 1890s to the 1940s will bring the golden age of steam to life along the nine-mile Swanage Railway.

Highlights include the first Dorset appearance since WWII of Southern Railway ‘Schools’ class express locomotive No. 926 ‘Repton’, and the return of S15 freight locomotive No. 30506 – the first visit of its kind in more than 20 years.

Enjoy a packed timetable of:

• Steam-hauled passenger trains between Swanage, Corfe Castle, Norden and beyond
• Nostalgic demonstration freight trains
• Evening ‘beerex’ specials and night trains
• Unique brake van rides on a 1950s freight train

Swanage Railway Company chair Gavin Johns said:

“We are delighted to offer such a wide variety of steam locomotives at work through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside, past the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle and beyond towards Wareham.”

🎟 Tickets and brake van rides available now at swanagerailway.co.uk.

Read more details on our feature ‘Autumn Steam Gala Spectacular in Purbeck’