Train named after British Rail manager who opened Swanage railway station to star in Diesel Gala

Photo: Andrew P.M. Wright

An historic train named after a highly respected former British Rail Southern Region general manager who officially opened a new station on the Swanage Railway in the 1980s is to star in the heritage line’s annual nostalgic Diesel Gala and Beer Festival - along with eight classic 1960s diesel locomotives.

Built in York during 1967 for British Rail’s Southern Region, the four-carriage Class 423 4VEP electric multiple unit No. 3417 proudly carries the name of Gordon Pettitt who officially opened Harman’s Cross station in 1989 – part of the project to rebuild the railway from Swanage to Corfe Castle - and who died in March of this year aged 90.

With some of the locomotives travelling to the Isle of Purbeck heritage line from the national railway network, the popular event draws enthusiasts from across the country and takes place from Friday to Sunday, 9 to 11 May, 2025, inclusive, with the beer festival at Corfe Castle station organised and operated by Purbeck Kitchens.

Now in its eighteenth year, the Diesel Gala and Beer Festival features an intensive train three-train service between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross and Swanage.

One of the heritage diesel locomotives to be featured in the event will be 1960 Class 33 diesel-electric No. D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ which hauled the last train through Broadstone to Wimborne - after British Rail closed the line to freight trains in May, 1977 – and is now based on the Swanage Railway.

There will be a special Diesel Gala and Beer Festival preview event on Thursday, 8 May, 2025, on the theme of the 1980s and early 1990s British Rail sector called Network South East.

That preview day will see Class 47 and Class 73 heritage diesel locomotives – along with the Class 423 4VEP electric unit No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ being pulled or pushed by a locomotive – hauling trains between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden alongside one of the Swanage Railway’s resident steam locomotives.

This year’s Diesel Gala and Beer Festival features evening ‘Beerex’ diesel trains between Swanage and the beer festival at Corfe Castle station on the Friday and Saturday – a Class 20 locomotive performing the honours on the Friday evening and Class 33 No. D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ on the Saturday evening.

Subject to availability, the visiting heritage diesel locomotives across the three-day Diesel Gala and Beer Festival will be:

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

• Class 45 No. 45 108 courtesy of the Peak Locomotive Company.

• Newly preserved Class 47 No. 47 715 courtesy of Rail Engineering Solutions.

• Class 50 No. 50 008 ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Hanson & Hall Rail.

• A Class 56 courtesy of Colas Rail.

• Class 69 No. 69 007 ‘Richard Trevithick’ courtesy of GB Railfreight.

• Class 73 No. 73 128 ‘Kent & East Sussex’ courtesy of GB Railfreight.

Event organising team member Dan Bennett said: “We are delighted the 1967 4VEP electric multiple unit ‘Gordon Pettitt’ will be taking part in our diesel gala as it’s an important piece of almost 60-year old history and a poignant tribute to the highly respected former British Rail Southern Region general manager from the 1980s who officially opened the Swanage Railway’s new Harman’s Cross station in 1989.

“A life-long railwayman described as a gentle and decisive reformer, Gordon Pettitt was surprised and delighted to have the unit named after him. Owned by the Bluebell Railway in Sussex - and cared for by the Southern Electric Traction Group - the unit has been restored and maintained to a high standard,” added Dan who lives in Wareham and has been a dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer since he was a teenager.

With 45 real ales and ciders on offer – and hot food available - admission to the beer festival next to the Victorian goods shed at Corfe Castle station will be free with a token system in operation for the purchase of drinks. There will be trade stands at Swanage station.

Full details of the Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, including timetables and fares, are available from the Swanage Railway’s website at www.swanagerailway.co.uk. Reduced price fares apply if tickets are purchased on-line in advance.

Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer Lisa Gravett on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk. Details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.

Story and photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright,

Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.