HISTORY was made after the first train travelled down the Swanage branch from the national rail network for the first time since 1972.

There were celebrations at Dorset's steam railway as a train consisting of four diesel engines and a four coach 'push-pull' unit passed over the point near Furzebrook where the Purbeck Line meets Network Rail tracks.

The historic train, which started its journey in London, travelled to Swanage for the weekend's diesel gala and beer festival.

Swanage Railway general manager Nick Brown said: "The movement of a train - albeit with no passengers on board - from the national railway network down to Corfe Castle and Swanage has been the objective of the Swanage Railway's since 1972 when the line from Wareham closed.

"The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of everyone involved - it was a great moment and one that several generations of volunteers have been working towards since work started on rebuilding the railway from nothing at Swanage in 1976."

The diesel gala and beer festival, which ends tomorrow, sees locomotives operating an intensive day and evening train service between Swanage, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden park and ride.

More than 30 specialist beers can be sampled in a large marquee in a field close to Harman's Cross station. Proceeds will go towards the further development of the Swanage Railway.

The heavy metal line-up includes two Class 73 electro-diesels, No. 73136 owned by the Class 73 Locomotive Preservation Group and No. 73208 owned by GB Railfreight, Class 47 diesel No. 47635 and Class 52 No. D 1015 'Western Champion', owned by the Diesel Traction Group and based on the Severn Valley Railway.

They are being joined by ex-BR 4VEP four coach 'push-pull' unit provided by South West Trains and the Swanage Railway's resident diesels Class 33 No. D6515 'Stan Symes' and the James Bond 007 'Goldeneye' Class 20 D8188 owned by the Somerset and Dorset Locomotive Company Ltd.