A HISTORIC gathering of working 1940s steam locomotives will take place on The Swanage Railway heritage line to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of steam trains in southern England.

Five classic Bulleid Pacific class express steam locomotives will be showcased at the three-day 'Strictly Bulleid' event, scheduled to start at the end of March.

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 last British Rail Bulleid Pacific steam locomotive ran down to Corfe Castle and Swanage on Sunday, 18 June, 1967, at the head of a long excursion train for railway enthusiasts marking the impending end of steam trains in southern England after more than a century."

The last time a Bulleid Pacific steam locomotive hauled a long express train, at speeds up to 100mph, took place between London and Weymouth on July 9, 1967.

One of the visiting locomotives - Battle of Britain class No.34053 'Sir Keith Park' - will be making its first trip back to Swanage since the summer of 1964.

The Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum at Norden will be open throughout the three-day event, as will the goods shed, exhibition coach and cinema coach at Corfe Castle station.

A Swanage Railway spokesman said: "The special trains will be running along the whole nine-and-a-half mile length of the Swanage Railway, including the newly completed four-mile extension between Norden and the River Frome, within sight of Wareham."

The 'Strictly Bulleid' event takes place from Friday, March 31, to Sunday, April 2.