Swanage Railway: ‘Strictly Bulleid 2’ | 7~9/6/24

Seven years on for the first instalment of Strictly Bulleid, the Swanage Railway is back with its second instalment and it’s back with a vengeance. This gala would feature eight, yes eight Bulleid’s and this event would be a massive record breaker and first’s within the preservation circle. This event had the largest gathering of Bulleid Pacifics since 1967, the first time two Merchant Navy Pacifics have worked together since 1967 and the event had more Bulleid Pacifics in steam than on the final day of southern steam itself on the 9th of July 1967.
This event would utilise the Swanage railway’s”over the road” extension and mainline link up to Wareham via Furzebrook and the River Frome. However, services would terminate at the River Frome hence why the trains were topped and tailed along the extension.
Two members of the homefleet would be joined by various visiting locos. Making up the first member of the homefleet is 34028 “Eddystone”. Like many other members of its class, it started off as a ‘ Spam Can’ before being rebuilt into what we see today. Eddystone would remain in service before she was withdrawn in 1965. Southern Locomotives Ltd purchased the loco in 1986 before returning to service in 2003.
The other member of the homefleet is 34070 ‘Manston’. Manston was outshopped out of Brighton works in 1947 and reminded in service until 1964 where she would be sold to the Woodham’s brother’s for scrapping. She remained at Barry for another 18 years before being eventually purchased by the Manston Locomotive Preservation Society (later merging into the Southern Locos LTD) where she would undergo an extensive overhaul, eventually entering service in 2008. In recent years, SLL have taken the decision to make her more “ weathered ” to show people what the final days of steam were like when all steam engines weren’t looked after very well.
Returning to the Swanage Railway, we have the Spa Valley Double: 34072 “257 Squadron” and 34053 “Sir Keith Park”. Both being owned by SLL, these two fine bullied Pacific’s are usually based at the Spa Valley Railway in Kent. 257 Squadron is a regular sight on the line however we haven’t seen Sir Keith Park since 2021 where her boiler certificate expired and she went away for overhaul. The time was ticking as it was a race against time whether she’d be ready for this gala however the amazing team at SLL worked many nights and got her ready and steaming in time for this wonderful gala.
Speaking of a Squadron, let’s speak about 92 Squadron. 92 Squadron was originally meant to take part during the Swanage’s ‘Strictly D-Day’ preview gala however unfortunately she failed, due to the fire grate being and Manston took charge of her duties however she was repaired and she ran during the Friday of the event. She performed one run on the Saturday before being withdrawn once again and unfortunately wasn’t repaired in time to run for Sunday meaning unfortunately I have only one clip of her running.
The next visitor would be the stunning 34092 ‘City Of Wells’. As of writing this, she’s currently based at the East Lancashire Railway but she does get around quite a bit. She was even a visitor during the first Strictly Bullied event.
And lastly, we have the merchant double act of: 35006 “ Peninsular and Oriental Line S.N.Co" and 35018 "British India Line". This would be a first time in preservation history that two merchants would be working at the same time and the first time since 1967. 
All footage filmed between the 7-9th of June 2024 and is no particular order.
Locomotives Featured:
SR Rebuilt West Country No. 34028 "Eddystone"
SR Rebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34053 "Sir Keith Park"
SR Battle of Britain No. 34070 "Manston"
SR Battle of Britain No. 34072 "257 Squadron"
SR Battle of Britain No. 34081 "92 Squadron"
SR West Country No. 34092 "City of Wells"
SR Merchant Navy No. 35006 "Peninsular and Oriental Line S.N.Co"
SR Merchant Navy No. 35018 "British India Line"
Timestamps:
0:00 34028 - King George Playing Field
2:12 35018 - Dicker’s Crossing
3:42 35006 - Dicker’s Crossing
4:58 34072 (35006 & 35018) - Olive Tree Crossing
6:16 35018 & 35006 (34072) - Olive Tree Crossing
7:19 34081 (34092) - Olive Tree Crossing
8:46 34070 (34092) - Arland Campsite Crossing
10:20 34053 (34072) - Arland Campsite Crossing
11:58 34092 - North Barn
13:25 35006 - North Barn
14:46 34053 (35018) - Creech Bottom
16:46 34072 & 34070 - Wilderness Crossing
18:04 34053 & 34028 - Wilderness Crossing
19:17 34070 - Wilderness Crossing
20:36 35006 & 35018 - North Barn
22:08 34092 (34070) - Townsend Bridge
23:47 34053 & 34028 - Corfe Common
24:52 34028 - Wurzel Crossing
26:34 35006 & 35018 (34053) - Corfe Castle Crossing
28:15 34070 - Townsend Bridge
29:44 Southern Locos LTD Photo opportunity

[@SharpthorneSteam]

Manston still the performer out of them all!

[@chaileystowe3026]

Thought you’d appreciate the thumbnail 😏😂

[@SharpthorneSteam]

@@chaileystowe3026 any picture of Manston is a winner with me ☺️