Swanage Railway - "Strictly D-Day" Gala preview day 06/06/2024

Ahead of their "Strictly Bulleid II" Gala scheduled for the weekend of June 7th-9th, the Swanage Railway would hold a preview day with the theme "Strictly D-Day"; held on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

The D-Day landings at Normandy, codenamed Operation Neptune, formed the immediate assault as part of Operation Overlord; the allied effort to liberate western Europe during World War II. The Swanage Railway would grasp the opportunity to commemorate this anniversary, while showcasing a few of the locomotives scheduled to take part in the "Strictly Bulleid" Gala.

The day would see four locomotives taking to the rails to deliver an intensive timetable. 34072 "257 Squadron" and 34081 "92 Squadron" were chosen as the Bulleid motive power for the day. However, the latter failed in the morning due to a fault with the firebox grate, with 34070 "Manston" substituting until 34081 was fixed.

T3 Class - 563 will not be taking part in the upcoming gala. However, 563 would be a fitting inclusion to "Strictly D-Day". 563 owes its survival in part to the outbreak of World War II. 563 had been withdrawn from service by the Southern Railway in March 1939 but was retained, stored, and overhauled due to the rising political tensions in Europe. Upon the outbreak of the war, 563 was reinstated to service, remaining as such until after the ceasation of hostilities in Europe, finally being withdrawn in August 1945 and placed into store again. This prolonging of life gave way to the locomotive starring at the centenary of London Waterloo station in June 1948, and its eventual preservation thereafter. In addition, having been built in 1893, 563 is one of very few surviving locomotives to have seen service through both World Wars.

Locomotives:
BR(S) 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34072 "257 Squadron"
BR(S) 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34081 "92 Squadron"
LSWR T3 Class - 563
Ex-SR 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34070 "Manston"

00:00 - On shed at Swanage
00:59 - 34070 Dickers Crossing
02:14 - 563 Corfe Common
03:00 - 34070 Swanage
05:14 - 34070 Dickers Crossing
06:21 - 563 Dickers Crossing
07:25 - 34072 Dickers Crossing
08:40 - 34072 Wilderness foot crossing
09:34 - 34070 Harmans Cross
11:14 - 34072 Harmans Cross
12:22 - 34081 West Hill
16:19 - 34070 On shed at Swanage
16:30 - 34072 & 34081 King George Playing Field

All footage filmed on Thursday the 6th of June 2024.