Festival of steam engines to preserve rail history

It is the fourth year that the rally has taken place

An historic steam engine rally is taking place to raise funds for a charity which works to preserve English railway history.

Swanage Railway volunteers organised the Roads to Rail event, which started on Friday in a field next to Norden station, near the village of Corfe Castle.

Visitors have been shown 50 traction and miniature engines, steam rollers and showman’s engines on display until Sunday.

It is the fourth year the rally has taken place to raise money for the Swanage Railway Trust, a registered charity which exists to preserve the heritage of the railways of southern England.

Visitors have the opportunity to go on the footplate of one of the steam locomotives

Robert Patterson, from Swanage Railway, called it a "festival of steam, large and small, for all of those who love vintage steam-powered vehicles on the road or on the rails".

He said: "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."