Dean Forest Railway: 50th Anniversary Gala (23 & 24 October)

Visiting loco is Peckett 'Rocket' from Telford Steam Railway

More info: https://deanforestrailway.co.uk/50th-anniversary-gala/

Sent from my SM-A125F using Tapatalk

 

From the latest Dean Forest Railway Society's monthly newsletter -

On Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th October we will be holding our 50th Anniversary Gala! Although our initial plans were scuppered by Covid, we will be making the most of things by running an intensive timetable featuring 5541, 'Swiftsure', the DMU (3-car set, partnered with 59387, 51566, 51914), and either D9521 or a duo of 'Gladys' (08769) and D2069.
There will be a host of features at Parkend, celebrating the start of DFR operations there in 1971; these range from a display of museum artefacts specially chosen for display, the unveiling of a 50th Anniversary plaque, and visiting Peckett locomotive 'Rocket' from the Telford Steam Railway which will be running brake van rides - a real throwback to the days of 'Uskmouth No. 1' 50 years ago! There will be shed access at Norchard so the latest progress on 'Uskmouth' can be viewed, as well as 9681, 9682, 'Salty', 'Gunby' and TSO coach 4862 which are all in varying stages of restoration.

 

What's happened to Rennes I thought that was in the working fleet?

 

Boiler issues, back next year allegedly.

 

Will the timetable be available soon?

 

See below

 

Timetable now available.

 

Thanks

 

My video and a few photos from an excellent day at the gala, well done to all involved!

 

Agreed, was a great event. My first visit to the DFR and it was well worth the 3 hours on trains to get there.
Also, given the recent discussion about Gala pricing, I thought £17 for an all day rover was fantastic value!

Sadly the timetable had completely gone to pot by the end of the day and, one small irritation; after arriving on a very delayed train at Lydney Jn, the signalman locked the pedestrian gates for the next departure before several of us could get off the platform to catch the main line train due in a few minutes time.
One of my fellow passengers decided to walk off the platform and around the gates to get across (and, quite rightly, got whistled and shouted at!).
I did manage to just make the mainline train after running down the road (TfW guard kindly re-opened the doors for me), but I know there were several others behind me who wouldn't have made it!
Letting us across would have maybe delayed the departure by 2 mins, but would have been a bit more customer friendly!

A few shots from Saturday: