Diesel and beer is in the mix as heritage engines roll in while pints are supped.

Eight heritage diesel locomotives – that help to tell the story of Britain’s railways during the transition from steam to diesel traction in the 1960s – are to feature in the Swanage Railway’s Diesel Gala and Dorset Beer Festival.

Now in its 14th year, the popular event is from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12.

For the first time, there will be an hourly train service along the whole length of the nine-mile Swanage Railway – from Swanage to the River Frome, within sight of Wareham and a half a mile short of the main line.

The Dorset Beer Festival is being staged next to the railway at the Bankes Arms Hotel, in Corfe Castle, with the hotel’s garden giving a grandstand view of trains.

Heritage diesel trains will be running from 9am until 11.30pm on the Friday and Saturday and from 9am until 7pm on the Sunday – with ‘Beerex’ buffet coach trains operating on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Using a restored 1960s ‘Hants & Dorset’ bus company-liveried red Bristol FLF, a daytime heritage bus service – for diesel gala ticket holders only – will be running between Wareham station and Norden station.

A preview day on Thursday, May 9 will see trains running between Norden, Corfe Castle and Harman’s Cross.

Subject to availability, the visiting diesels will be Class 25 No. D7535 (No. 25185) courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction Limited and Class 26 No. 26007 – courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz – which will be staying on the Swanage Railway until early September.

Other visiting locos will be Class 31 No. 97205 (No. 31163) courtesy of the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Class 44 No. D4 ‘Great Gable’ (No. 44004) courtesy of the Peak Locomotive Company, Class 50 No. 50007 ‘Hercules’ courtesy of Class 50 Alliance Ltd and 1985-built Class 59 No. 59003 ‘Yeoman Highlander’ courtesy of GB Railfreight. A Class 73/1 electro-diesel is also set to visit courtesy of GB Railfreight.

Two ex-British Railways Southern Region Class 33 diesel-electric locomotives, that are based on the Swanage Railway, will also be appearing.

For more details visit swanagerailway.co.uk