In 2017, the Swanage Railway hosted a memorable event, marking the 50th Anniversary since the end of Southern Region steam. The line's 'Spring Steam Gala' was titled 'Strictly Bulleid', and would feature five working examples of Oliver Bulleid's iconic express passenger locomotive. At the time, this was the largest gathering of Bulleid Pacifics since 1967!

Seven years later, and the Swanage Railway would host the highly anticipated sequel - 'Strictly Bulleid II'. The weekend of the 7th - 9th June would include a gathering of EIGHT Bulleid Pacifics - something that hadn't been seen in 57 years!

'Strictly Bulleid II' would break several records and set some preservation 'firsts', including:

- Largest gathering of Bulleid Pacifics since 1967
- Largest gathering of 'Unrebuilt' Light Pacifics since 1967
- Largest gathering of Southern Locomotives Ltd's operational Bulleid Pacifics in Preservation (34028, 34053, 34070 and 34072)
- First time that two 'Merchant Navy' locomotives have worked together since 1967

Representing the home fleet were Rebuilt Westcountry No. 34028 'Eddystone' and Unrebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34070 'Manston'. The latter has recently returned home, following a period of hire on the Mid Hants Railway.

Now for the guest list, beginning with two former Swanage Railway residents, in the shape of Rebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' and Unrebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34072 '257 Squadron'. 34053 was based in Dorset during 2018 and 2019, before moving to the Spa Valley Railway in August 2020. The loco has recently undergone a major overhaul, which was completed a few weeks ago at Herston Works. 34072 was a Swanage stalwart for many years, between 1992 and 2003, and between 2018 and 2022. The loco would also move to the Spa Valley Railway, in November 2022.

A further two Unrebuilt Battle of Britain and Westcountry Pacifics would visit, in the shape of 34081 '92 Squadron' and 34092 'City of Wells', visiting from their respective bases on the Nene Valley and East Lancashire Railways.

Completing the lineup were two 'Merchant Navy' Pacifics. 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.' would attend from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, and 35018 'British India Line' would make a rare visit to a Heritage Railway! Owned by West Coast Railways, the loco is usually based at Carnforth, and is a regular performer on the main line. 35018 would arrive via the main line link at Wareham on the 5th June, hauling a rake of six mark 1 coaches, which would be used as extra stock for the event.

A three train service was in operation, running between Swanage, Norden, and the Railway's boundary with Network Rail at the River Frome Viaduct. In addition, the railway implemented all-night running for the first time since 2003! The 'Knight Rider' services would run from the Saturday evening into the Sunday morning, which were hauled by 34070.

The line-up for the event:

Visiting:

- SR Rebuilt Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' (Spa Valley Railway)
- SR Unrebuilt Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No. 34072 '257 Squadron' (Spa Valley Railway)
- SR Unrebuilt Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No. 34081 '92 Squadron' (Nene Valley Railway)
- SR Unrebuilt Westcountry 4-6-2 No. 34092 'City of Wells' (East Lancashire Railway)
- SR Rebuilt Merchant Navy No. 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.'
(Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway)
- SR Rebuilt Merchant Navy No. 35018 'British India Line' (West Coast Railways)

Resident:

- SR Rebuilt Westcountry No. 34028 'Eddystone'
- SR Unrebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34070 'Manston'

All scenes were captured over the 7th - 9th June 2024.

Timestamps:

00:00 34028 - Dickers Crossing
01:45 35006 & 35018 - Dickers Crossing
03:43 34092 - Dickers Crossing
05:25 34072 - Dickers Crossing
06:32 34081 - Dickers Crossing
08:09 34028 & 34053 - Dickers Crossing
09:06 35018 - Dickers Crossing
10:18 35006 - Dickers Crossing
11:07 34092 - Herston Halt
12:55 34072 & 34070 - King George Playing Field
14:39 34081 - Swanage
16:59 34053 & 34028 - Swanage
19:04 34070 & 34072 - Swanage
22:24 34028 - Quarr Farm
23:47 35006 & 35018 - Quarr Farm
25:00 34092 - Quarr Farm
26:32 34072 - Woodyhyde
28:12 34070 - Woodyhyde
29:45 34028 & 34053 - Woodyhyde
31:35 35018 - Harmans Cross
34:40 35006 - Harmans Cross
36:11 34092 - Harmans Cross
38:14 34070 - East Hill
45:07 34053 - Castle View Crossing
47:10 34028 - Castle View
48:35 35006 & 35018 - Castle View
51:07 34092 - Norden
52:49 34072 - Norden
54:59 34070 - Castle View Crossing
56:30 34028 & 34053 - Castle View
57:52 35018 - Castle View
59:20 35006 - Castle View
01:00:55 34092 - Castle View Crossing
01:02:35 34072 - Corfe Viaduct
01:03:49 34053 & 34028 - Castle View
01:05:08 34070 - Corfe Viaduct

A truly remarkable and historic event!

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