SWANAGE Railway made history this weekend with eight historic locomotives and hundreds of spectators.

The event saw 8 operational Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives - the largest grouping since 1967 - featuring four 'original' air-smooth trains, two rebuilt Light Pacifics, and two rebuilt Merchant Navies

A beer festival was also held at Corfe Castle station alongside the steam locomotives. 

Oliver Bulleid, who died in 1970, was a mechanical engineer who designed a number of locomotives across his decades-long career.

Bournemouth Echo:

The event also saw the first overnight trains depart from Swanage since 2003.

The trains travelled along Swanage and Corfe Castle before heading to Frome in Somerset.

Alexander Atkins, director of Swanage Railway Trust said: “My favourite part of Strictly Bulleid Two must be the atmosphere of the whole event.

“It's been a remarkable journey getting everything organised, and to feel the buzz and excitement generated by Strictly Bulleid Two amongst our customers, staff, and volunteers who have worked so hard to deliver this event is the greatest reward.

“Strictly Bulleid is a celebration of some of the most popular classes of steam locomotives in Britain, and to see 8 of these engines in steam together was totally breathtaking and an astounding achievement by our staff and volunteers.

(Image: Andrew Wright)

“The feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive. As mentioned, the atmosphere was electric, and to see 8 Bulleid Pacific in steam together for the first time since July 1967 is a truly unique and remarkable spectacle.

“We as a railway are both proud and privileged to have been able to put on such a fantastic event for our customers and railway enthusiasts alike.”

Alex also mentioned the return of another popular event at Swanage Railway Station, he added: “We have our Roads to Rail event at the end of June (28th  -30th June), which we like to think of as a mini Dorset Steam Fair.

“We will have a number of traction engines, a beer festival, and live music over the weekend it's a popular event that we have been running for a few years now, and in addition to this we aim to hold at least 2 steam galas per year.”

Steam Bullied took place throughout the weekend on June 8.