A nostalgic three-day ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally and family weekend is to be bigger and better than ever with the popular annual fund-raising event moving to a larger field close to Norden station and Purbeck Park near the village of Corfe Castle.

A new trail-blazing freight locomotive – yet to enter service on the national railway network and the country’s most advanced hybrid powered by diesel and electric – has hauled its first passenger train on the Swanage Railway after being a surprise guest at the heritage line’s annual Diesel Gala and Beer Festival.

Nine classic heritage diesel locomotives and a pioneering ‘push-pull’ train – telling the story of Britain’s railways during the transition from steam to diesel trains in the 1960s – are to feature in the Swanage Railway’s annual Diesel Gala and Beer Festival.

The son of the clergyman who created the world famous Thomas the Tank Engine children’s books will be taking part in the Swanage Railway’s first Model Railway Weekend featuring 36 nostalgic layouts, fascinating model locomotives and an exciting narrow gauge ride-on train.