On Easter Monday I had the pleasure of visiting and traveling on the Swanage Railway in Dorset with Mrs Locoyard. Two locomotives were in steam, including BR lined black liveried M7 tank engine 30053 (the other being 34028 Eddystone). This characterful 0-4-4T locomotive has featured several times on this blog, but despite seeing it several times, this is the first time that I have been hauled by it!
30053 (53) is a long-framed type of M7 tank engine. The only other survivor of the class (LSWR 245 – click here for more) is a short-framed version and preserved in the National Railway Museum, York.
We had a wonderful day out in the Spring sunshine, combining the journey with a visit to the magnificent Corfe Castle and seaside resort of Swanage. I shall be reporting more on the visit in the coming days, but for now, here are some photographs of this elderly tank engine for you to enjoy!
Click here to read more articles from this visit to the Swanage Railway.
Loco Yard 
Looks like you had a great day. I hope to visit the Swanage for its 35 year gala later in the year as I want to see Eddystone before its ticket runs out.
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It was great thanks. It’s an excellent railway, well worth visiting, I’m sure the gala will be great too, will have to keep it in mind!
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