Diesel Gala and Beer Festival 2026

Our much-loved Diesel Gala & Beer Festival returns to the Purbeck line for a long weekend of heritage diesel action and good cheer. From first light to late evening, expect the friendly buzz Swanage Railway is known for – coupled with a cracking beer festival at Corfe Castle station. It’s the perfect mix of classic traction, big skies, and time well spent with family and friends.

We will have an intensive service in operation on all three days over our full 10-mile line between Swanage and our boundary with Network Rail at “Bridge 4” over the River Frome on the line towards Wareham. Trains operate from around 09:00 – 23:30 on Friday and Saturday, and 09:00 – 18:00 on Sunday. There will be three carriage sets in service each day, with two sets operating over the full length of the line and a shuttle running between Swanage and Corfe Castle.