10th May 2024

Diesel Gala & Beer Festival 2024: Colas Rail Class 37/0 no. 37219 "Jonty Jarvis" has arrived at Harmans Cross at 09.48 with the 09.39 Corfe Castle to Swanage train, and waits as resident Class 33/1 no. 33111 pulls in with the 09.39 Swanage to River Frome. My visit to the gala this year, a return after 9 years, was centred around Harmans Cross, probably my favourite location on this short line. Personally I am not overly enthused by the Swanage Railway in general, with limited access to photo locations and difficult parking. But to be fair the standard of restoration is excellent and looking at this seen you would even believe that this station has been returned to its former glory with all the details. But the reality is that this is an entire fabrication, no station ever existing here whilst the line was open!