Traction-Talk - Perfect weekend for a rally excellent steam show at norden

PERFECT WEEKEND FOR A RALLY EXCELLENT STEAM SHOW AT NORDEN
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PURBECK’S POPULAR ROADS TO RAIL RALLY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF RUNNING OUT
OF STEAM AFTER MORE EXHIBITS THAN EVER BEFORE WENT ON SHOW ACROSS A
BUMPER WEEKEND OF FINE WEATHER AT NORDEN.
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Hundreds of visitors arrived at the event by both road and rail, to
wonder at more than 60 traction and miniature engines, watch displays
of falconry and forestry skills, and sit back in the sunshine to
listen to live music.
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In the shadow of Corfe Castle, the parade of steam vehicles was larger
than ever before
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Dorset Axemen, one of the first time attractions to the rally,
thrilled visitors with their forestry skills
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FAMILY FRIENDLY THREE DAY SHOW

The family friendly three day show, which ran from Friday 27th to
Sunday 29th June 2025, is now in its fifth year and has had to create
a second show arena to cope with all of the events.

A busy steam train service operated between Norden, Corfe Castle and
Swanage across the weekend, including a special evening heritage
diesel service on Friday and Saturday.

First time attractions for 2025 included the Dorset Axeman from
Sturminster Newton, falconry displays from the Liberty’s Owl, Raptor
and Reptile Centre, based in the New Forest, and a children’s
treasure hunt on each of the three days.

A Victorian steam organ provided nostalgic music in the fairground
section

And on a smaller scale, the organ grinder and his monkey were out
raising money for the Navy Wings charity

NOSTALGIA OF STEAM RAIL TRAVEL

The steam rally combined the nostalgia of steam rail travel with steam
powered traction engines, steam rollers, music from steam organs and
vintage fairground rides.

Slots for exhibitors and trade stalls were all fully booked as the
steam rally continued to grow in size, and with food stalls, a beer
tent and live music, the atmosphere was definitely chilled, unlike the
weather.

Alexander Atkins, volunteer commercial director of Swanage Railway
Company

Part of the procession of steam driven vehicles from a bygone era

“WE CONTINUE TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH”

Alexander Atkins, the volunteer commercial director of Swanage Railway
Company said:

> “We were very proud to host our fifth Roads to Rail event with
> more exhibits than ever before – although last year’s event was
> incredibly successful, we still continue to go from strength to
> strength.

> “More than a hundred exhibitors took part in this evocative
> festival of steam, held in the perfect setting with the ruins of
> Corfe Castle in the background, and this year with perfect weather
> as well.

> “It turned out to be a brilliant traction engine rally at Norden,
> with trains running every 45 minutes with our Battle of Britain
> class 34070 Manston and the visiting class 20 20066.”

Visits to the footplate of the beautifully restored T3 locomotive were
popular throughout the weekend

Exhibits were kept looking at their best, even in hot, dusty and smoky
conditions

PROCEEDS WILL HELP RESTORE THE T9

Alexander added:

> “We also had our Victorian T3 on display too, for footplate visits
> so that our guests could admire this amazing piece of history.

> “For those who came to look at the T3, we also offered the chance
> to blow the whistle for a pound a time, with all proceeds going
> towards the group restoring our wonderful Victorian T9 – and we
> had lots of takers!

> “These special events are critical to help us fund the continued
> operation and development of Swanage Railway, and also draw hundreds
> of visitors to the beautiful Isle of Purbeck ahead of the main
> summer season.”

The steam loco leaving for Corfe Castle, with the showground behind,
is 1940s Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific No. 34070 Manston

RETURN JOURNEYS LATE INTO THE EVENING

Many visitors also took the opportunity to include a steam or heritage
diesel train ride through the Isle of Purbeck to Norden, with return
journeys running late into the evening for those who took the
opportunity to stay for live music from local bands.

Setting out to give Glastonbury a run for its money – without any of
the controversy! – were the Savage Underdogs, Oktober Rust, Carley
Varley, Stone Cold Sober and Phoenix Rock and Roll.

There were smiling faces wherever you looked at the Roads to rail
steam rally

A fascinating array of tractors from several decades were on display
at the rally

FURTHER INFORMATION

MORE ROADS TO RAIL 2025 PHOTOS

Welcome to the 2025 Swanage Railway Roads to Rail steam rally!

All sorts of vehicles took part in the parades in the main showground

Volunteer fireman Thomas Brigham cooks bacon for his breakfast

All sorts of steam machines large and small were on display

There’s no better way to spend a sunny afternoon than sitting down
with a pint and watching the entertainment

When it got too hot, Daisy the Purbeck Ice Cream van, was on hand to
dispense cool treats

A steam driven sawmill was put through its paces at the rally

And when more timber was needed, a steam powered crane was at hand

The Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre put on some spectacular
displays with their birds of prey

Although not every bird agreed to do what it was asked to…

Volunteer staff from Swanage railways were hoping to recruit new
members

The Nelson steam car, a replica of an early 1900s coffin nosed Stanley
steam car, took pride of place in the fairground

A Triumph motorbike and sidecar drew a lot of attention at the show

A steam driven cider truck which used to operate in the New Forest