Swanage Railway is to hold a nostalgic ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally near Corfe Castle later this month.

The event was first staged in August 2021, but this year’s rally takes place between Friday, 24th, and Sunday, 26th June.

It is being staged in a field next to Norden station near Corfe Castle, and evocative re-creations of a bygone age will bring the Isle of Purbeck to life.

The event will feature up to 20 traction engines, steam rollers, and showman’s engines, as well as fairground rides, trade stalls, food stalls, a bar, and live music. On the Friday and Saturday evenings, there will be live music.

A special intensive steam train service will operate between Norden, Corfe Castle, and Swanage, including a special evening heritage diesel service on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Tickets for a combined return train journey from Swanage to Norden and entry to the rally show ground are £22 for adults, £8.50 for children aged five to 15, and £57 for a family of two adults and three children. Entry to the steam show ground only is £7 for adults with children under the age of 16 being free. Evening entry to the show ground from 6 pm is £5 for adults with children under the age of 16 being free. Day parking at the steam rally is free.

Camping pitches will be available during the event in a field close to Norden station available, but they must be pre-booked via a special ‘Roads to Rail’ website at swanagerailwayroadstorail.co.uk. That website also provides more information about the event, ticket, and entry information.

This year’s ‘rally is being sponsored by Miles & Son, City Cruises and O.J. Fabrication. #

Swanage Railway Company chairman, Robert Patterson, is also a volunteer station porter and a trustee with the Swanage Railway Trust, a registered charity. He said: “We’re very proud to be hosting our second ‘Roads to Rail’ which combines the nostalgia of steam rail travel with steam powered traction engines, steam rollers and vintage fairground rides.

“This is an evocative festival of steam large and small for all of those who love vintage steam-powered vehicles on the road or on the rails.

“Our first such event last year was incredibly successful and this year the show ground will be larger with more traction engines and trade stalls as well as a bar and beer tents, food stalls and live music on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

“People who attend the event will also have the rare opportunity to go on the footplate of one of our steam locomotives. ‘Roads to Rail’ is a great day out for all the family and we hope it will draw in the crowds.

“Special events such as our ‘Roads to Rail’ weekend are critical for funding the continued operation and development of the Swanage Railway as well as drawing visitors to the Isle of Purbeck ahead of the main summer season.

“The ‘Roads to Rail’ event takes a lot of dedicated planning and organising from our staff and volunteers and I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that has been put into the event.”

One of the organisers, Lorna Lock, said: “Visitors to ‘Roads to Rail are welcome to attend in Victorian, Edwardian, and pre-Second World War period dress – whether that’s in a showman’s outfit or a steam train driver’s ‘bib and brace’ – to delight in and soak up the period atmosphere.

“We would like to thank our sponsors and advertisers for their help staging this year’s ‘Roads to Rail’ event which promises to be bigger and better than last year and takes place within sight of the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle.”