Visitors and exhibitors praise organisers of larger nostalgic ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally

Photo: Andrew P.M. Wright

Dedicated organisers of a larger three-day nostalgic ‘Roads to Rail’ Swanage Railway steam rally and family weekend staged close to Norden station and Purbeck Park - near the village of Corfe Castle – have been praised by visitors and exhibitors.

Now in its sixth year – and bringing the Isle of Purbeck to life with evocative re-creations of a bygone age - the family friendly yesteryear heritage transport gathering took place from Friday, 26 June, to Sunday, 28 June, 2026, inclusive.

Featuring traction and miniature engines, steam rollers and showman’s engines – as well as fairground rides, trade stalls, food stalls, bar and live music – the larger event field provided more space, easier access and an improved environment for visitors and exhibitors.

A new attraction for this year’s ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally was the chance for the public to enjoy a bracing three-mile 15-minute steam train ride in a heritage brake van – pulled by the unique Victorian T3 steam locomotive No. 563 built in 1893 – on a little used section of the Swanage Railway from Norden to Furzebrook and back with the special train conveniently departing from next to the ‘Roads to Rail’ event field.

With two performance and display arenas, the ‘Roads to Rail’ showground gates opened at 10am on all three days with the event running until 11.30pm on the Friday and Saturday and until 5pm on the Sunday.

Event highlights were a display of full size and miniature steam engines; tractors, stationary engines and commercial vehicles; a traditional funfair, food stalls and a real ale bar as well as live music throughout the three days of the ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally. There were also activities and entertainment for families and children.

Steam and diesel heritage trains also ran between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage throughout the event – including a special evening heritage diesel on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Swanage Railway Chief Executive Officer Abbie King said: “We're incredibly proud of what was achieved over the three days of the ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally. It was fantastic to see so many visitors enjoying the event and to receive such positive feedback from exhibitors, traders and volunteers alike.

“This year's ‘Roads to Rail’ event was our biggest heritage transport steam rally yet, with a record number of engines and heritage vehicles taking part, and the new event field – next to

Norden station and Dorset Council’s Purbeck Park - proved to be an excellent venue for bringing everything together.

“It was also exciting to introduce our new brake van rides for the first time, giving visitors the rare chance to travel along a section of railway that isn't normally open to passenger services.

“Experiences like this are what make the Swanage Railway so special and we'd like to thank everyone who supported the ‘Roads to Rail’ event and helped make it such a success.

“We're already looking forward to building on this year's event and welcoming even more visitors to our ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally next year.

“Feedback from visitors, exhibitors, traders and volunteers was overwhelmingly positive with exhibitors and visitors praising the professionalism, friendliness and dedication of Swanage Railway's staff and volunteers.

“The ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally ran smoothly throughout the weekend - with excellent operational management – while the new and larger event field proved to be an excellent venue for a steam rally of this scale.

“The new event layout created a great visitor experience and provides capacity for future growth while the Swanage Railway's catering operation enjoyed an excellent weekend with catering sales increasing by around 30 per cent compared with last year.

“Our ‘Roads to Rail’ event continues to demonstrate the continued enthusiasm for preserving railway and transport heritage supported by volunteers, exhibitors and enthusiasts from across the country. Despite hot weather, visitors enjoyed a high quality event.

“’Roads to Rail’s successful move to the new venue – close to Norden station and Dorset Council’s Purbeck Park - provides a strong foundation for growing the event in future years. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended, exhibited, traded, volunteered and supported our ‘Roads to Rail’ event – it’s very much appreciated,” added Abbie.

This year’s valued ‘Roads to Rail’ event sponsors were Northover Energy, Andrews Plant Hire and Haulage as well as PTG Tours rail and culture.

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.