SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ returns to the main line

Southern Locomotives Limited’s SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ returns to the main line. This was the first time the locomotive has travelled on the National Network under her own power since 1964. We saw the Bulleid Pacific passing Hamworthy in the company of Class 33 No. D6515 / 33012 ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ working 0Z28 1026 Swanage to Southall WCR – 03/09/2025

The Great Central Railway Diesel Gala featuring Deltic No. 55019

A look in at The Great Central Railway diesel gala from the afternoon of 6th September 2025 featuring Deltic action – 06/09/2025

SR West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ returns to the Swanage Railway & other trains!

Locomotive workings in Dorset are a rarity at present. Here are some from w/c 08/09/2025:

Monday 8th September saw Class 33 No. 33012 / D6515 ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis’ return to the Swanage Railway as 0Z33 1013 Southall Wcr to Swanage. We saw the light engine movement crossing Holes Bay.

Wednesday 10th September found us in Sherborne to see one of GBRf’s light engine movement with Class 66 No. 66702 ‘Blue Lightning’ passing through the station working 0Z84 0820 Eastleigh East Yard to Honiton. This was one of a number of GBRf engineers trains and light engine movements between Eastleigh and Honiton in September.

The rain continued as SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ made a quick return visit to the Swanage Railway working the Railway Touring Company “Swanage Belle” railtour 1Z11 0845 London Victoria to Swanage. WCRC Class 47 No. 47812 provided support at the rear and hauled the return working 1Z12 1635 Swanage to London Victoria away from Swanage with ‘Eddystone’ on the back of the train.

Swanage Railway 2025 Autumn Steam Gala Action!

Video from the 2025 Swanage Autumn Steam Gala filmed on Saturday 13th September. Guest locomotives were Southern Railway Schools Class 4-4-0 No. 926 ‘Repton’ and London & South Western Railway Urie S15 Class No. 30506 alongside the home fleet of LSWR Adams T3 No. 563, SR 2-6-0 U Class No. 31806, SR Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 No. 34070 ‘Manston’ and SR Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ – the day was often wet and windy, but enjoyable all the same!

Locomotive Services Ltd locomotives in Dorset and bonus Class 73/9 test train – September 2025

The regular Colas operated Plain Line Pattern Recognition test train was in the hands of GBRf Class 73/9 No.’s 73963 and 73964 on Monday 22nd September 2025 reporting as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C. (Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth

Saphos Trains “The Golden Arrow” which started and finished in Poole on Tuesday 24rd September 2025 with LSL Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ and Class 47 No. 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’

LSL Class 47 No.’s 47805 (D1935) ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ and 47810 (D1924) ’Crewe Diesel Depot’ top and tailed Statesman Rail’s “Dorset Coast Statesman” on Wednesday 25th September 2025 which originated in Nottingham and travelled to Weymouth for a few hours at the seaside before returning

WARNING: Video may also include SWR Class 444 Desiro EMU’s on regular workings!

DCR Grids – Double headed Class 56 locomotives at Darlington

Class 56 No. 56103 leads classmate No. 56045 and a single JNA wagon working Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Darlington North Road through Darlington railway station – 26/09/2025

LMS Black 5 No 44871 working “The Rail 200 Special” over the historic Skerne Bridge

LMS Black 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 + Class 47 No. 47746 working The Railway Touring Company “Rail 200 Special” passing over the historic Skerne Bridge reporting as 1Z16 0622 Carnforth to Stanhope.

The return train; 1Z19 1732 Newcastle to Carnforth, is seen in fading light at Bridge LEN3/145 Stockton-On-Tees near Eaglescliffe followed by DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66129 at the head of 6E26 1151 Knowsley Freight Terminal to Wilton Efw Terminal – 27/09/2025

The restored replica of Locomotion No 1 on the main line celebrating 200 years of the railways!

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first passenger railway journey, a newly renovated replica of Locomotion No. 1 and the passenger carriage ‘Experiment’ travelled along sections of the original S&DR line, cheered on by spectators along the route – Friday 26 September 2025 to Sunday 28 September 2025