KESR Diesel Gala: 12th - 14th April 2024

Visitors:
D8568 from Severn Valley.
37714 from Great Central.

Home Fleet:
D2023.
D9504.
20087.

https://kesr.org.uk/diesel-weekend/

 

Any chance of a Pacer which is effectively a modern day version of the Ford/sheffflex railcars of days gone by?

 

Correct idea philosophically speaking, but please no!

Absolutely cannot wait for the Clayton, 20 and 37 up Tenterden bank (and the 14 too but that won't be a new experience - indeed it was D9525 up Tenterden bank in 1992 that made me stop ignoring Cl.14s at galas and realise how immensely entertaining they could be). Will absolutely be supporting this gala in the hope it's the first of many.

 

Slightly less than none.

 

Timetables now at: https://kesr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-Diesel-Gala-Public-Timetable.pdf

 

Some really fun quirks in that timetable, really excited for this event. Trying to decide if I want to be in the front coach for that Saturday evening quadruple header or filming it somewhere on Tenterden bank for instance - dilemmas!

 

Looking forward to my first visit to the KESR since 2019 for the diesel gala. Very much looking forward to seeing the Clayton on the line.

A slight negative is it's a shame there isn't an option for a two-day rover, only single and 3-day options being shown on the website. Having booked on the D1015 tour on Sunday out of Paddington I can only do the two days.

Anybody any idea of the coaching sets please as having looked at the timetable it suggests several are in use.

Also if anybody connected to the railway can advise which loco's are due to operate on Thursday 11th, the website hasn't been updated with regards the loco roster, that would be very much appreciated as I may sneak in an extra day. Cheers in advance.

 

Having looked at the footplate crew roster, it is booked to be two steam engines on the 11th, which I would surmise would be Swiftsure and 25.

 

Load test ahead of the Diesel Gala

 

I wish to register a complaint. The KESR Diesel Gala was a disgrace.

A true Colonel Stephen's railway should be run in the spirit of Colonel Stephens! The trains were full of passengers who appeared to be enjoying themselves and the carriages were not empty. The service frequency was too great and varied. Ladies toilets were also available whereas the stations should only have men's urinals. There were no derailments causing major disruptions. It was simply appalling.

 

Other than that how was the Clayton and Tractor ?

 

The 37 was working well. The Clayton was suffering a coolant fault leaving the crew to repeatedly refilling the tank at almost every stop. Nonetheless, the Clayton was very impressive on the bank and certainly more exciting compared to its ambling along the SVR.