Swanage Railway volunteers will be fundraising through a special three-day steam rally, ‘Roads to Rail’, next to Norden station.

They will be recreating the past with over 60 traction and miniature locomotives, including steam rollers and showman’s engines.

They will be celebrating the past further through fairground rides, food and trade stalls and live music to make the family-friendly event fun for everyone.

‘Roads to Rail’ will run from Friday, the 27th June, til Sunday, 29th June and will be open 10 am – 11:30 pm and 10 am – 5 pm on the Sunday.

Attractions will include falconry displays from the Liberty’s Own, Raptor and Reptile Centre, and Dorset Axeman, with children’s treasure hunts across the three days.

There will be an intensive steam service timetable during the event, including special services on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The ‘Roads to Rail’ event is now in its 5th year of running, with last year being a big hit with visitors.

The sponsors of this event include Avon Construction, Miles and Sons Estate Agents, Tradewind Graphics, Purbeck Kitchens, Northover Energy, Andrews Plant Hire and Haulage, Bridport Foundry, Jurassic Care, Abbas Cabins, and Collett Agricultural Engineering and Welding Fabricators.

Tickets to the event with a train ride are priced at £30 per adult and £11 for children. Entry to the showground is priced at £10 per adult, wth under 16s going free.

Further information about pricing and timings can be found on the Swanage Railway’s website.

“With more exhibits than ever before, we are very proud to be hosting our fifth ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally 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 – and with two arenas this year – 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 ‘Roads to Rail’ event was incredibly successful and this year more than a hundred exhibitors have confirmed their attendance at the event featuring traction engines and trade stalls as well as a bar and beer tents, food stalls and live music on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

“Our ‘Roads to Rail’ steam rally 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’ steam rally 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,”

Volunteer Swanage Railway Company commercial director Alexander Atkins