Dean Forest Railway diesel gala. Sept 14-15

DIESEL GALA NEWS
''We've kept you in suspense long enough...
We're delighted to announce that Class 25 No. 25262 will be joining us for our Diesel Gala in September! Freshly painted in BR Blue livery, this marks the first time in preservation a BR Blue Class 25 has returned to the Forest of Dean. We'd like to thank South Devon Diesel Traction for making the loco available to us for our weekend.
Next announcement coming soon!''

 

I just wish the DFR Diesel Gala & PBR Steam Galas didn't clash

Very interested in both events!

 

Yes agree, my two nearest heritage railways having an event on the same weekend. Not sure I can get away with two days in one weekend. PBR is always good but a 25 on the DFR is something I'd like to see.

 

I mean, I'm coming back from the Benesov gala on Saturday night via an overnight drive from Luton to cover the prairie at Blaenavon, so I'd wager it's just about possible to get from Lydney. Guess it all comes down to how utterly despera- sorry, "keen", one is!

 

''We're delighted to announce that 'JA' No. E6003 will be the second visitor for our Diesel Gala in September!
Despite their Southern roots, 'JA' locos are no strangers to the Dean Forest Railway - having previously been home to E6001/5/6, as well as 'JB' E6007 (as 73101).
E6003 is joining us courtesy of the Electro-Diesel Locomotive Group''.

UPDATE: 23/8/24
''We're excited to confirm that our Diesel Gala line up of No. 25262 and No. E6003 will be joined by a mainline Class 37, courtesy of the Rail Operations Group. While the loco itself will be confirmed nearer the time due to operational commitments, there is a chance it may be joined by a second example - look out for confirmation nearer the weekend.
It's shaping up to be a great weekend, tickets on sale now!''

 

Was not overly impressed with the 73, but now with at least one, possibly two, 37s visiting and E6003 being used as a translator is the rumour, this event is quite exciting!

 

09106 has been bought from HNRC by Hope Valley and is at Lydney Jcn for some attention before moving on. Should be running on the Sunday.

 

Reported on the railway's facebook that the 25 is no longer attending due to an electrical issue.

The two ROG 37s attending are due to be 37510 and 37884.

Roster is being rewritten. 25 was due to be a translator for the air braked 09 and two 37s. The 73 can provide this and the tanks are air braked so should still be a good event.

https://deanforestrailway.co.uk/experiences/diesel-gala/

 

Due to the non appearance of the class 25 and 09, all goods trains have been withdrawn from the gala timetable. [BJ]

 

It was a pretty lack-lustre event compared to the steam galas the DFR runs.

 

I thought the original timetable with both 37s, the 25, the 73 and the 09 looked like it would've been great and really varied. I'd agree on the steam galas there being excellent - had a superb time at the 2023 one and am hoping to squeeze a few hours in at the 2024 one around work that weekend. But I really enjoyed the 2022 diesel gala too and thought 'plan A' for this year's looked like that sort of format with the welcome addition of the freight on top. Before all the failures and changes I was kicking myself a bit for not leaving myself free for a day there.