Swanage Railway Diesel Gala & Beer Festival 2026

The much-loved Diesel Gala & Beer Festival returns to the Purbeck line for a long weekend of heritage diesel action and good cheer. From early morning until late evening, visitors can expect the friendly buzz for which Swanage Railway is known, combined with a lively beer festival at Corfe Castle station. It offers a blend of classic traction, wide skies and time well spent with family and friends.

An intensive service will operate on all three days over the full 10‑mile line between Swanage and the boundary with Network Rail at Bridge 4 over the River Frome on the line towards Wareham. Trains will run from approximately 09:00 to 23:30 on Friday and Saturday, and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Sunday. Three carriage sets will be in use each day, with two sets working the full length of the line and a shuttle service running between Swanage and Corfe Castle.

Alongside home fleet Class 33s 33012 and 33053, the following guest locomotives are scheduled to appear at this year’s event:

• Class 20 No. 20066, courtesy of Shaun Wright
• Class 26 No. 26007, courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz
• Class 37 No. 37607, courtesy of Swietelsky
• Class 45 No. 45041 Royal Tank Regiment, courtesy of Peak Loco Company
• Class 58 No. 58023 Leicester Depot, courtesy of Ed Stevenson

Further visiting locomotives will be announced in due course. All visiting locomotives are subject to availability.

On Thursday 7 May, the railway will host a mixed traction Preview Day, offering a relaxed introduction that sets the tone for the following three days. The preview day will feature Class 45 No. 45041 Royal Tank Regiment operating a diesel service alongside the normal steam service between Swanage and Norden.

The Beer Festival will again take place in Corfe Castle Goods Yard, adjacent to the Goods Shed. It is planned to offer 40 real ales and 10 ciders, all from the Dorset area. The Beer Festival will be open from 11:00 to 23:00 on Friday and Saturday, and from 11:00 to 18:00 on Sunday. Entry to the Beer Festival is free. Hot food, hot and cold drinks and ice cream will be available on site throughout the day and into the evening, and there will be live music on Friday and Saturday evenings and on Sunday afternoon.

The railway museum and second‑hand book sales wagon, located next to the Beer Festival, will also be open throughout the weekend.

On both Friday and Saturday evenings, a Beerex train will operate to convey visitors to and from the Beer Festival at Corfe. On Friday evening, services will be worked by Class 20 No. 20066, while on Saturday evening they will be worked by Class 26 No. 26007.

Swanage station will host several trade stands selling a wide range of railway‑related items and railway models. GB Railfreight will operate a charity sales stand on the station selling railway memorabilia and train components, with all proceeds donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Further information will be released nearer the time, including additional visiting locomotives, detailed timetables and the full beer list. In the meantime, visitors are encouraged to note the dates and begin planning their ideal Gala weekend.

Image: Swanage Railway.