Didcot Diesel Gala 28th - 30th May

With a week or so to go before this gala, Didcot's website is (inevitably) persisting with plugging the steam gala from the bank holiday at the beginning of May.
The website has some info about the diesel gala and adds: "Other possible visitors include classes 37, 50, 52, 66 and a pair of HST power cars."
Does anyone know whether this was just a wish list or whether any of these rather attractive sounding guests will appear? They could draw quite a crowd, as Didcot runs terrific galas in my experience.

 

Website now showing 52 D1015 Western Champion as a confirmed visitor, with 37, 66 and pair HST power cars as possible. No mention now of class 50.
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/events/galas.html#dieselgala

 

Thanks for that update. A Western eh? Looks like a 3 gala weekend for me: this, Isle of Wight & Gloucs Warwick. Fun times!

 

LE move from SVR to Didcot 24/05/16:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R02045/2016/05/24/advanced

 

Where would the HST power cars come from

 

Perhaps SVR will be able to use 1010/1058 duo as during the gala then. intead of 1015 as advertised...

Sat 28 May C D1015

Sun 29 May C D1015

Mon 30 May C D1015

 

This update is from Didcot's FB page earlier today. No mention of D1015 now.

"Our Diesel Gala will feature visiting locomotives:

Class 03 – D2120, 0-6-0 Diesel Mechanical
Class 33 – 33035, BRCW Type 3/Crompton Bo-Bo, courtesy of the Pioneer Diesel Locomotive Group
Class 46 – D182 (46045), Derby Type 4 1Co-Co1, courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company Limited...
Class 66 – courtesy of DB Cargo UK

The event will also feature Didcot Railway Centre's:

Class 08 – 08604
Class 14 – D9516
Hunslet – DL26
GWR Diesel Railcar No 22"

 

Revised line-up: http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/events/galas.html#dieselgala

Confirmed visiting locomotives are:

• Class 03 - D2120 - 0-6-0 Diesel Mechanical
• Class 33 - 33035 - BRCW Type 3/Crompton Bo-Bo (courtesy of the Pioneer Diesel Locomotive Group)
• Class 46 - D182 (46045) - Derby Type 4 1Co-Co1(courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company Limited)
• Class 165 - Turbo in Green Livery (courtesy of GWR)
• Class 66 - (courtesy of DB Cargo)

The event will also feature Didcot Railway Centre's:

• Class 08 - 08604
• Class 14 - D9516
• Hunslet - DL26
• GWR Diesel Railcar No.22

 

In addition to the above 08742 and 56098 have also been added albeit the 08 is static display only as it needs a C exam.

Beer list is as follows

Box Steam Brewery – Tunnel Vision 4.2%
Box Steam Brewery – Pole Dancer (Mild) 4.0%
Cottage Brewing – Tornado 4.2%
Cottage Brewing – Deltic Gold 4.5%
Indigenous Brewery – Summer Solstice 4.1%
Malt the Brewery – Golden Ale 3.9%
Titanic Brewery – Plum Porter 4.9%
White Horse Brewery – Oxfordshire Bitter 3.7%
XT Brewing Co – XT4 3.8%
XT Brewing Co – Pi (mild) 3.141%

 

Alongw it's the cask beers listed there is also a selection of bottled beers and ciders.

 

Having been let down at short notice by two of what would have been the "star attractions" we did our best to salvage this gala.
However, (First) GWR also were unable to support us due to internal issues, but thanks to UKRL and DB Cargo we at least had something to show and support the heritage diesels that came and fulfilled their promise.
Whether we've even covered our costs is yet to be finally added up!

With a year to plan the next one we are thinking of steering away from the "heritage diesel" theme and maybe going for the "rarer haulage" modern diesels which would have a more reliable contracted hire.
Certainly when we had one of DBC's 08's a couple of years ago, enthusiasts came in numbers for the rare haulage even though we had to use our own 08 to translate the brake through to our vacuum stock.
We're wondering if we were also to hire in a couple of air braked coaches (apart from our support coach we don't have any) what loco's would attract enthusiasts?
Are we talking 56's, 66's, 60's as well as maybe a rare 08 or two? What would bring you out to a Didcot diesel gala and real ale festival?

 

Numbers matter more than classes to somewhere like Didcot.
For example had the DB 08 worked in May, it would have been much less popular than the previous one having worked a tour in January. However -had it worked last May before heading towards the Mini factory it would have been more popular as not an ex TI Sheffield shunt loco.
Likewise I would assume to those who haven't got to Fawley Hill, 03120 would have been a greater attraction in 2015 than 2016.PLEG(www.pleg.org.uk) are always willing to advise on specific locos if asked.