New hybrid freight locomotive hauls first passenger train after surprise Diesel Gala appearance

Photo: Andrew P.M. Wright

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.

Operated by GB Railfreight, it was the first time that a powerful and environmentally friendly multi-million pound Class 99 – built by Stadler in the Spanish city of Valencia - had hauled a passenger train in the United Kingdom.

The new Class 99 locomotive – which aims to cut CO2 emissions by 50 per cent - joined eight heritage diesel locomotives and a pioneering ‘push-pull’ train that told the story of Britain’s railways during the transition from steam to diesel trains in the 1960s.

With seven of the locomotives travelling to the Purbeck heritage line from the national railway network, the popular Diesel Gala and Beer Festival drew enthusiasts from across the country and took place from Friday to Sunday, 8 to 10 May, 2026, inclusive, with the beer festival at Corfe Castle station sporting 40 Dorset ales and ten ciders

The event featured an intensive three-train service with most trains operating along the entire length of the nine-mile Swanage Railway – past Norden station and beyond Furzebrook to the River Frome within sight of Wareham.

Diesel gala and beer festival organising team member and Swanage Railway volunteer Dan Bennett said: “This year's diesel gala and beer festival was one of the most successful, and busiest, in the event's almost 20 year history. There was a very real buzz, and excitement, among the enthusiasts attending the event.

"It was the first time that GB Railfreight's new powerful Class 99 diesel and electric locomotive No. 004 - built in Spain by Stadler - had hauled a passenger train in the UK and the Swanage Railway was delighted, and very grateful, to host such a marvellous machine. The Class 99 looked fantastic and enthusiasts were gathering around it all weekend.

"I would like to thank all those people who have worked so hard to plan and deliver the event as well as saying a big thank you to everyone who attended and enjoyed the event in what was marvellous weather. It could not have been better,” added Dan who lives in Wareham and is the volunteer deputy chair of the Swanage Railway Trust as well as being a volunteer Swanage Railway Company director.

Swanage Railway Chief Executive Officer Abbie King explained: “Our Diesel Gala and Beer Festival has been nothing short of phenomenal. We’ve welcomed record-breaking visitor numbers, seen incredible support from enthusiasts and families alike and created an amazing atmosphere across the railway.

“Events like this are about far more than trains - they bring people together, support our local economy and help secure the future of the Swanage Railway as we celebrate our 50th year.

“A huge thank you goes to our volunteers, staff, visiting locomotive crews, traders and everyone who travelled to be part of it. So much work happens behind the scenes to deliver an event of this scale and I’m incredibly proud of what the whole team has achieved together. The atmosphere across the railway has been absolutely outstanding,” added Abbie.

The Diesel Gala and Beer Festival also included a nostalgic and pioneering 1966 Class 438 ‘push-pull’ 4TC four-carriage set No. 428, courtesy of London Transport, which operated between London and Swanage from 1967 to 1969 and on the main line between London and Weymouth from 1967 to 1988 when the Bournemouth to Weymouth line was electrified.

Also appearing was 1960s Class 33 diesel-electric No. D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ which hauled the last train through Broadstone to Wimborne, in Dorset, after British Rail closed the line to freight trains in May, 1977.

The Diesel Gala and Beer Festival also featured evening ‘Beerex’ diesel trains between Swanage and the beer festival at Corfe Castle on the Friday and Saturday.

The visiting heritage diesel locomotives were:

• Class 20 No. 20 066 courtesy of Shaun Wright.

• Class 26 No. 26 007 courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz.

• Class 33 No. 33 025 courtesy of West Coast Railways.

• Class 37 No. 37 607 courtesy of Swietelsky.

• Class 58 No. 58 023 ‘Leicester Depot’ courtesy of Ed Stevenson.

• Class 73 No. 73 141 ‘Spa Valley Railway’ courtesy of GB Railfreight.

• Class 99 No. 99 004 courtesy of GB Railfreight.

Also appearing at the event was 1960s Class 33 diesel locomotive No. 33 053 which is based on the Swanage Railway.

Anyone interested in finding out about varied Swanage Railway volunteering opportunities should contact volunteering officer Kelly Griffin by emailing iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk while details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.

Story and photograph by Andrew P.M. Wright,

Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.