http://www.devondiesels.org.uk/Page%20T ... 202005.htm
We are pleased to be able to provide details of this year's South Devon Railway Diesel Gala that is being held on the 11 and 12 June. The event is again being organised on behalf of the railway by the two resident diesel preservation groups, South Devon Diesel Traction and The Devon Diesel Society.
The theme for this yearÆs gala is to be based on the 1980Æs. There will be plenty of corporate Rail Blue on show, together with a small helping of sectorisation. There will also be a strong Scottish region feel to the event with many locomotives having at one time been based at a depot north of the border. Some locomotives will also be carrying the well-known ôScottie Dogö emblem.
Event Highlights Include:
First appearance of a 'Deltic' on the South Devon Railway courtesy of the Deltic Preservation SocietyÆs Class 55 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier
37037 making its first public runs in preservation following restoration to BR Blue Livery complete with lower bodyside white stripe and "Scottie Dogs"
4 Class 20's in service running in various combinations, triple headed, top and tail and pair of 20's crossing!
Visiting Class 20 20066 working some of its first passenger trains in over 10 years (Courtesy of Harry Needle Railroad Company)
Visiting Class 20 20096 making a rare outing away from the confines of Barrow Hill
20110 making some of its first public runs since reverting to its TOPS number
Planned Loco's in Service (Subject to availability)
Class 04 D2246 (BR Green Livery with wasp stripes)
Class 20 20110 (BR Blue Livery with mini snowploughs and Scottie Dogs)
Class 20 20118 (BR Railfreight Grey Livery)
Class 20 20066 (BR Blue Livery) Courtesy of Harry Needle Railroad Company
Class 20 20096
Class 37 37037 (BR Blue Livery with Eastfield white stripe and Scottie Dogs)
Class 55 50019 Royal Highland Fusilier (BR Blue Livery) Courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society
Loco's on Display
Class 09 D3666 (BR Green Livery with wasp stripes)
Class 25 25901 (BR Blue Livery) may, if engine repairs and overhaul work is completed in time, appear working a limited number of services.
Class 33 33002 (Dutch Grey Livery)
Class 50 50002 (NSE or a surprise Livery)
Class 122 DMU 55000 (Regional Railways Livery)
With no fewer than four Class 20Æs on hand the chance will be taken to run various combinations will not be overlooked. The Saturday evening topÆnÆtail workings featuring a pair of 20Æs at each of the train and will for many enthusiasts rekindle memories of such workings that once took place on the Matlock branch.
Another popular attraction is likely to be newly repainted 37037, which now once again carries rail blue complete with white lower bodyside stripe û a livery it carried in the mid 1980Æs.
Not to be outdone the very popular shunter hauled trips with Class 04 D2246 will again be a feature of the event and this year it is planned to offer haulage behind the loco on both days.
The main passenger set will feature a real ale bar, from which at least three different brews will be available. A small onboard sales stand will also travel on this set. Another train in use will be formed of the resident three-car class 127 DMU that will be used as hauled stock for the duration of this event. The use of the unit in this way last year proved to be a very popular feature and is being repeated following a number of requests from intending visitors.
Authentic style diesel era freight trains will also feature and will be hauled by a variety of locomotives, including some double-headed workings. The idea of providing a bus service from Buckfastleigh to various lineside locations is also under investigation, the idea being to provide visitors who arrive by rail at Totnes with a chance of photographing some of the services from the more popular vantage points along the line. If this service does run it will feature the SDRÆs recently purchased former London Transport Routemaster bus.
A full and varied timetable is being planned for both days of the event and this is being designed to make maximum use of the available motive power. Both one and two day rover tickets will be available as will a 32 page colour event programme and guide. This will feature details of the line, all the locomotives, together with copies of the full working timetables and locomotive rosters. Copies will cost ú2.50 and can be obtained from The Devon Diesel Society, Please email us
Full details of this spectacular event can be viewed at www.devondiesels.org.uk and www.sddt.co.uk during the coming weeks.
