TRAIN enthusiasts are looking ahead to the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Dorset Beer Festival, now in its 10th year.

The three-day event runs from Friday, May 8, and is preceded on the Thursday by the 'Go West' preview day.

Set to star in 2015 is the 1960s British Railways Class 35 'Hymek' locomotive, which will be hauling trains on the restored Purbeck line for the first time.

The associated beer festival will take place at Corfe Castle station, where Swanage Railway ales 'Old Pusher', 'Regulator' and new brew 'Swanage Pride' will be on sale.

A Swanage Railway spokesman explained: "The Class 35 'Hymek' diesel locomotives hauled inter-regional passenger trains from the Midlands and to the north to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth during the 1960s and early 1970s.

"This year's diesel gala will see an intensive three-train service operate between Norden Park & Ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage from 8am until midnight on the Friday and Saturday, and from 8am until 7pm on the Sunday.

"Other attractions include the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum next to Norden station on the Saturday and Sunday and the goods shed museum, exhibition and cinema coach at Corfe Castle station as well as trade and enthusiasts' stands at Corfe Castle and Swanage stations."

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