SWANAGE Railway's latest Autumn Steam Gala included nighttime passenger trains on the restored line for the first time.

The annual event, which took place between Friday and Sunday, boasted regular steam services between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage.

Swanage Railway general manager Matt Green said: "With two visiting classic steam locomotives built in the 1920s and the 1940s – and six trains a day running to the River Frome near Wareham, two of them in the evening when it's dark – this year's Autumn Steam Gala was one to remember."

Among the highlights this year was a 1925 Somerset and Joint Railway Fowler-designed steam engine, and a Stainer 8F locomotive which was built to haul heavy freight, munitions and troop trains during World War II.

The Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum, next to Norden station, was also open during all three days of the gala, as was be the goods shed museum, exhibition coach and cinema coach at Corfe Castle station.

Mr Green said: "It was a Stanier 8F locomotive that hauled one of the last passenger trains – an enthusiasts' special from Bath to Bournemouth via Blandford and Broadstone – on the last day of Somerset and Dorset line in March, 1966.

"The Somerset and Dorset 7F locomotives were marvellous locomotives and were the workhorses of the Somerset and Dorset line, from Broadstone to Bath via Blandford, for almost 40 years. No. 53809 was withdrawn in 1964.

"Built in 1943 at Ashford in Kent, 8F No. 48624 was withdrawn by British Railways in 1965 and sent to a scrapyard at Barry in South Wales. It escaped the cutter's torch after being purchased by dedicated enthusiasts in 1981 who took 28 years to restore it to full working order."