BEER and diesel will be the order of the day at a heritage railway.

Classic diesel locomotives will be pulling trains at Swanage Railway for enthusiasts who have the chance to hop off and sup a few pints.

Now in its 12th year, the Swanage Railway diesel gala and beer festival runs from Friday, May 5 to Sunday, May 7.

There's a mixed steam and diesel train preview day on Thursday, May 4.

There'll be two firsts this year – the most diesel locomotives to attend the event, and the first appearance of a green-liveried Class 47 at Swanage and Corfe Castle since the summer of 1966.

Ten diesel locomotives are visiting the event in all with the Swanage Railway's two ex-British Rail Southern Region Class 33s taking the number to 12.

Last year's event attracted a record-breaking 4,000 visitors over four days.

The beer festival will be taking place next to Corfe Castle station's restored Victorian goods shed – with views of passing trains – from the Thursday to the Sunday. Beers will include the Swanage Railway's 'Old Pusher'.

The powerful locomotive that will be making Purbeck railway history for the first time since the summer of 1966 is Class 47 No. D1842 (1970s British Rail classification TOPs number 47192) based at the Crewe Heritage Centre.

Swanage Railway general manager Matt Green said: "It will be a real thrill for many people to see a green-liveried Class 47 diesel locomotive at Corfe Castle and Swanage for the first time since the summer of 1966."

Subject to availability, the diesel gala will also feature Class 20 locomotives No. 20059 and No. 20188, Class 26 No. D5343, Class 33s No. 33012 and No. 33111, Class 45 No. 45041 'The Royal Tank Regiment', Class 50 No. 50026 'Indomitable', a Class 56 from Colas Rail as well as a Class 66 and two Class 73 locomotives from main line operator GB Railfreight.

Mr Green said: "There will be an intensive timetable of trains with unusual combinations of diesel locomotives and some trains having two locomotives on the front and some trains with a locomotive on the rear as well.

"I am very grateful to the various owners for allowing their locomotives to visit the Swanage Railway. I would also like to thank the team of dedicated volunteers that plans and stages the annual highlight of the heritage railway calendar for followers of diesel locomotives."

There will be trade stands at Corfe Castle and Swanage stations, the award-winning Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum next to Norden station as well as the goods shed museum, exhibition coach and cinema coach at Corfe Castle station.