CLASSIC locomotives will be steaming into Dorset for a nostalgic rail trip down memory lane.

Swanage Railway will host the largest gathering of working classic 1940s Bulleid Pacific class express steam locomotives since 1967. The Strictly Bulleid event marks the 50th anniversary of the end of British Rail steam trains in southern England.

Bulleid Pacifics used to haul trains on the Southern Railway between London and Weymouth before electric and diesel trains took over.

Four of the locos are coming back to Dorset to join a fifth already at Swanage to haul trains on the nine-and-a-half mile length of the Purbeck line for the event from Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2.

Swanage Railway general manager Matt Green said: “We are looking forward to the sight of five classic 1940s Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives in action which will be the largest gathering of Bulleid Pacifics since the end of steam trains in southern England during the summer of 1967.

“It will be very evocative and reminiscent of the Bournemouth and Weymouth locomotive depots from the mid-1940s through to the end in July, 1967.

The visiting locos are West Country classes No. 34046 ‘Braunton’ and No. 34092 ‘City of Wells’ as well as Battle of Britain classes No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ and No. 34081 ‘92 Squadron’.

A fifth Bulleid at the event is the Swanage Railway-based Battle of Britain class No. 34070 ‘Manston’ which sports its original 1940s air-smoothed casing over the boiler.

The huge frames of yet to be restored West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34010 ‘Sidmouth’ will be on display at Corfe Castle station.

For train times see www.swanagerailway.co.uk