A FILM star of impeccable pedigree was among the attractions for nostalgia lovers at the weekend’s Steam Gala held by Swanage Railway.

The railway’s five resident locomotives were joined by two guests – one from the 1970 film of The Railway Children, which was directed by the late Dorset resident Lionel Jeffries.

The other, a sister to the famous Mallard called 4492 Dominion of New Zealand, was making her first visit to a heritage railway in new livery.

As well as the historic trains running between Norden and Swanage all day, visitors were able to tour engines and engineering sheds, and look at classic vehicles next to Harman’s Cross Station.

Swanage Railway commercial and marketing manager Martin Payne explained that the gala was a way of keeping visitor numbers up outside the main summer season.

“Twenty-five per cent of our annual passengers are in August. It’s the best way of getting to the beach or Corfe Castle,” he said.

“It’s not all about trains, it’s also about the history and wildlife of the area. You see different views from a train than you would in a car.”

Martin added that even children who have never before travelled in a steam train seem entranced. “Hopefully they will understand why steam is important and how it helped build Britain. When the whistle goes, a gasp always goes around the carriage.”