A CLASSIC express locomotive has arrived on the Swanage Railway to make history during an annual three-day diesel gala and beer festival.

The engine, which dates from the year of the Great Train Robbery and the killing of American President John F. Kennedy, was built in Manchester by Beyer Peacock and has a top speed of 90 miles per hour.

It will be the first time that a main line express Hymek diesel locomotive has hauled trains on the Swanage Railway.

Now in its tenth year, the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Dorset Beer Festival runs from today through to Sunday with a 'go west' diesel gala preview day taking place yesterday.

Offering 25 real ales and craft beers – as well as six craft ciders and three exclusively brewed Swanage Railway special edition beers – the beer festival takes place at Corfe Castle station where beer tickets, commemorative glasses and festival programmes are available on entry.

More history was made on the Swanage Railway during the gala preview day when a powerful modern-day Class 66 diesel-electric locomotive was named Swanage Railway in honour of the volunteer-led heritage line.

Operated by GB Railfreight, the large Canadian-built locomotive was be named by Wave 105 radio presenter Mark Collins with Railfreight managing director John Smith.

Swanage Railway volunteer Dan Bennett is a member of the diesel gala organising committee.

He said: "It's wonderful to see the Hymek arrive on the Swanage Railway because it's such a classic locomotive that sums up so much of the English railway scene during the 1960s and early 1970s.

"The Hymek diesel locomotives hauled inter-regional passenger trains from the midlands and the north down to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth during the 1960s and early 1970s. They also hauled passenger trains from Bristol to Weymouth via Yeovil, Maiden Newton and Dorchester.

"The Hymek's saddest duties were to haul heavy track-lifting trains on the old Somerset and Dorset line from Blandford Forum to Bath between 1967 and 1969 – hauling long rakes of wagons carrying metal rails, track chairs and wooden sleepers."

For more information, visit swanagerailway.co.uk