With the Dorset Steam Fair cancelled for 2023, Swanage Railway is offering enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a local steam rally combining heritage locomotives with up to 50 traction and miniature engines, steam rollers and showman’s engines.
Roads to Rail is billed as a family event with fairground rides, trade stalls, food stalls, bar and live music at the showground next to Norden station near Corfe Castle in Dorset from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June 2023.
Plenty of events in the arena
Nostalgic three day event
The nostalgic three day steam rally event was first conceived in 2021 when Swanage Railway’s funds had been depleted by Covid pandemic restrictions and there was a need to raise some cash.
The Dorset Steam Fair organisers had already announced they had cancelled their event in 2021 at its Tarrant Hinton showground, so a team of volunteers from Swanage Railway saw an opportunity to put on an outdoor event.
It was such a success, offering not only all the steam attractions but also live music, a beer tent and camping in the shadow of the ruins of Corfe Castle.
Roads to Rail continues into the evening
Dorset Steam Fair cancelled again in 2023
While the Dorset Steam Fair, one of the world’s largest heritage events, did go ahead in 2022, it’s been cancelled again for 2023, with the show’s directors citing “significant and spiralling increases in contractor and infrastructure costs.” It hopes to return in 2024.
Unperturbed Swanage Railway’s event is back for another year with a special steam train service between Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage during the three days. This means visitors can enjoy seeing the road steam vehicles displayed alongside steam locomotives.
Little and large in the showground
Roads to Rail arena timetable
Friday 23rd June
- 1 pm onwards: Free play area for all working exhibits
Saturday 24th June
- 10.30 am: Classic vehicles
- 11 am: Commercial vehicles and tractors
- 11.30 am: Mix up
- 1 pm onwards: Miniatures and full size steam engines
Sunday 25th June
- 10.30 am: Classic vehicles
- 11 am: Commercial vehicles and tractors
- 11.30 am: Mix up
- 1 pm onwards: Miniatures and full size steam engines
A steamy long weekend
“Going from strength to strength”
Chair of Swanage Railway Company Trevor Parsons said:
“We’re very proud to be hosting our third Roads to Rail which combines the nostalgia of steam rail travel with steam powered traction engines, steam rollers and vintage fairground rides.
“Going from strength to strength against the backdrop of the ruins of Corfe Castle, this is an evocative festival of steam large and small for all of those who love vintage steam-powered vehicles on the road or on the rails.
“Last year’s event was incredibly successful and this year the show ground will be larger with more traction engines and trade stalls as well as a bar and beer tents, food stalls and live music on the Friday and Saturday evenings.
“With people attending the event also having the rare opportunity to go on the footplate of one of our steam locomotives, Roads to Rail is a great day out for all the family and we hope that it will again draw in the crowds.
“Special events such as our Roads to Rail three-day event are critical for helping to fund the continued operation and development of the Swanage Railway as well as drawing visitors to the wonderful Isle of Purbeck ahead of the main summer season.
“The Roads to Rail event takes a lot of dedicated planning and organising from our staff and volunteers and I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that has been put into the event.”
The event is a sociable occasion
Beer tent and live music
There’s a beer tent and live music through the day and into the evening of Friday and Saturday night. For those not camping, there’s a special evening heritage diesel service on the Friday and Saturday evenings to get everyone home.
Live bands line up
Friday 23rd June
- 6 to 8 pm: Ribble
- 9 to 11 pm: The Swamp Stomp String Band
Saturday 24th June
- 1 to 3 pm: Phoenix RNR
- 6 to 8 pm: Cloud 9
- 9 to 11 pm: DSKA Assassins
Sunday 25th June
- 1 to 3 pm: Heather Williams
Visits to the footplate of a steam locomotive
“Our Roads to Rail steam rally is unique”
One of the event’s organisers, Lorna Lock, said:
“Our Roads to Rail steam rally is unique because there is also the opportunity to include a steam or heritage diesel train ride through the Isle of Purbeck, ride on our heritage diesel train service from Wareham on the Friday and Saturday as well as the rare chance to visit the footplate of one of our steam locomotives.”
Camping available to book in the heart of the Purbeck countryside
Further information
- A combined train ride from Swanage to Norden and return – with entry to the steam rally show ground – is £22 for adults, £8.50 for children aged five to 15 and £57 for a family of two adults and three children.
- Entry to the steam show ground only is £7 for adults with children under the age of 16 being free.
- Evening entry to the show ground from 6 pm is £5 for adults with children under the age of 16 being free.
- Day parking at the Roads to Rail steam rally is free.
- More about the Roads to Rail steam rally along with camping, ticket and entry information is on its website
