Steam locomotive gala cancelled

A heritage railway in Dorset has cancelled its autumn steam gala "with much regret".

Swanage Railway said the event could not go ahead "due to a combination of unforeseen circumstances and the last minute unavailability of the visiting locomotives earmarked to attend".

The gala was expected to take place from 25 to 27 October.

A spokesperson said the attraction hoped to confirm the new timetable for the weekend of the cancelled gala as soon as possible.

They said the event, which was set to feature historic steam locomotives, had fallen through "despite much hard work by the gala organising committee".

"We appreciate that this will be disappointing for our supporters and visitors," they continued.

"We look forward to welcoming you to the other events that we are running for the rest of 2024 and we hope you can visit us next year for our gala events."

The Swanage branch line was closed and demolished by British Rail in 1972 but volunteers spent 30 years rebuilding Swanage Railway as a tourist attraction.

It operates full-size steam and diesel passenger trains from Norden to Corfe Castle and down to the seaside town of Swanage.

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