Diesel Gala

Diesel Gala 2025

Our annual Diesel Gala returns for 2025 on 13th & 14th September. With two of English Electric’ largest and finest classes announced as our visitors, 55009 in BR Blue w/ Finsbury Park windows and 50021 in BR Large Logo Blue, our 2025 gala is set be a spectacle and a half. Both are penned to operate alongside our very own 08769 in Corporate Blue and 09106 in newly painted Railfreight Red Stripe.

The timetable is now available to view below, or can be downloaded here.

Vacs and Deltics are quite contrasting in their sound but we believe both will be equally as magnificent reverberating from the trees that border our 4 and a quarter mile route. The tight curves and prevailing gradient between Lydney Junction and Parkend, with various sections at 1 in 128, will make Northbound/’Down’ direction trains particularly exciting. Departures from Lydney Town, Norchard High Level and Whitecroft are usually highlights of the weekend!

Pre-booking your tickets will make the arrival process a more speedy experience. For 2025, as well as standard single-day tickets a pre-bookable two-day weekend ticket is also available with a slight discount, making attending both days slightly better value. The timetable will be uploaded here as soon as it is ready complete with loco allocations. Please check the newsreel below for event updates.

Event newsreel:

DFR Press release, 6th May 2025 12pm:

“The Dean Forest Railway, in conjunction with the Deltic Preservation Society, are pleased to announce the visit of Deltic No. 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ [Edit 06/06/25, please see DPS press release from 05/06/25 below] as a star guest for our Diesel Gala in September.

This will be the first time the Forest of Dean has reverberated to sound of the distinctive Napiers along our line, and it’s shaping up to be a spectacular weekend!”

DFR Press release, 5th June 2025 12:05pm:

“The Dean Forest Railway are pleased to announce the visit of Class 50 No. 50 021 ‘Rodney’ as the second star guest for our Diesel Gala in September, courtesy of her owner Paul Spracklen.

This will be the first time the Forest of Dean has been visited by a Class 50 – and resplendent in BR large logo blue, this former Midland and Western Region loco will make a spectacular sight along our line!

No. 50 021 will be joining previously announced No. 55 019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ and our home fleet of Class 08 No. 08 769 and Class 09 No. 09 106.”

DPS Press Release, 5th June 2025:

“Due to a change in plans 55019 ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIER will now be replaced at our visit to the Dean Forest Railway in September by 55009 ALYCIDON.”

DFR Press release, 28th August 2025:

“We’re delighted to welcome No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ to the Dean Forest Railway ahead of our Diesel Gala on September 13th and 14th. This is the first time a Class 50 has visited the railway in BR or preservation, and we’re looking forward to hearing the 16 cylinder power unit opening up as the loco takes the train through the valley!”

50021 arrived on Tuesday 26th August, and can be seen here stabled at Norchard alongside 9681:

DFR Press release, 6th September 2025:

“We’re pleased to release the timetable for the 2025 Diesel Gala. It’s the same timetable and loco allocations for both Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September.

Locos in operation – 50021 “Rodney”, 55009 “Alycidon”, 09106, 08769.

Come and join us for a feast of English Electric in the Forest of Dean – tickets available for individual days or joint for both days through our website.”

The timetable can be viewed or downloaded above.

DFR Press release, 8th September 2025:

“Ahead of the confirmation of timings for the arrival of Deltic No. 55009 “Alycidon” this week, we’re delighted to reveal the new livery for one of our home fleet locos – No. 09106 is now resplendent in Railfreight Red Stripe! A rare livery in preservation on Class 08/09, she’s already proving an impressive sight through the Forest!

Her first passenger working following completion will be the during the Diesel Gala – one not to be missed!”

Image courtesy of M. Normanton.

Lineup:

Anticipated home fleet:
Class 08 no. 08769, courtesy of Valley Rail Preservation. Image: Adrian Copley
Class 09 no. 09106, courtesy of Road and Rail Steam Services Ltd. Image: Martyn Normanton

Anticipated visitors:
Class 55 no. 55009, courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society. Image: Deltic Preservation Society.
Class 50 no. 50021, courtesy of Paul Spracklen. Image: Nikon User, via Wikimedia Commons, Flickr (CC 2.0).

Rail200 – Britain’s first scheduled 100mph passenger services were launched in 1961 with 3,300hp ‘Deltic’ diesel locomotives running between London and Scotland on the East Coast Main Line.

Rail200 – one of the first mainline diesels, LMS’s No. 10000, was released from Derby Works in December 1947, just three weeks before Nationalisation.

Page last updated 09/09/25. E&OE.