Diesel Gala

Diesel Gala 2026

Our annual Diesel Gala returns for 2026 on 12th & 13th September. With both resident and visiting locomotives booked to appear, as always the sound will be quite something 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 as steep as 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!

For 2026 we are offering early bird advance tickets with a 10% discount compared to the on the day ticket prices:

• Adult 1-day On The Day: £29 / Early Bird Advance: £26.10
• Child 1-day On The Day: £16 / Early Bird Advance: £14.40
• Adult 2-day On The Day: £52 / Early Bird Advance: £46.80
• Child 2-day On The Day: £28 / Early Bird Advance: £25.20

The early bird ticket ticket booking will close a few days in advance of the event, so ensure you book earlier to avoid missing out. As well as standard single-day tickets a pre-bookable two-day weekend ticket is also available with a further 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.

Confirmed attractions:

• A lineup consisting of both resident and visiting diesel locomotives.
• An intensive timetable with at least two passenger trains racking up the mileage.
• Services will be aimed to connect with arriving and departing rail services from Lydney mainline station, a short walk from our Lydney Junction station.
• An on train bar serving Cask Ales, Cider, Wines and Soft Drinks. Cask Ales now confirmed as Wye Valleys “Butty Bach” and “Hereford Pale Ale”.
• Guided DMU Depot Tours (courtesy of the DFR DMU Group).
• + more to be announced!

2026 Diesel Gala Sponsor:

Our 2026 Diesel Gala is sponsored by Derails Model Railway shop of Coleford. 

Visit their website for all of the main model railway manufacturers available at discounted prices with free postage for orders over £20 and 5-star customer service:

www.derails.co.uk | 01594 835935 | Unit 4, Unicorn House, Coleford, GL16 8AA

Event Newsreel:

DFR announcement, 14th June 2026:

We are delighted to announce Class 31, 31210, as our first visitor courtesy of Hanson & Hall.

You may be aware that 31210 was a resident here at the DFR for a significant period of time, and can be seen at Lydney Junction almost 10 years ago in this photo courtesy of Paul Cook. The loco has just made her return to preservation service, and is now booked to appear at various events during the remainder of 2026.

Given her previous long term residency here, we were very keen when the opportunity arose and are especially thankful to Hanson & Hall for returning to the DFR – their last outing here was back in October with 50008, which visited us to run alongside 50021.

31210 will join E6003 and other as-yet unconfirmed locomotives on the 12th & 13th September for two days of diesel action in the Forest of Dean.

—

DFR announcement, 3rd August 2026:

We pleased to add residents 08888 ‘Postmans Pride’ and 09106 to the lineup courtesy of Valley Rail Preservation and Road & Rail Steam Services respectively. 

09106 has been operating alongside E6003 on services throughout the 2026 season. 08888 operated for ‘Shunter Sunday’ back in May and we’re thankful to Valley Rail Preservation for making the loco available to us for the gala, based on the feedback and requests of those planning on attending.

The pair of Pilots are yet to receive concrete diagrams, but we are currently planning for both to operate at least part of the day on a passenger coach set.

Lineup:

Anticipated visitors:
Class 31, 31210 Courtesy of the Hanson & Hall Rail Services.
More visitors To Be Confirmed.
Anticipated home fleet:
Class 73, E6003 ‘Sir Herbert Walker’ Courtesy of the Electro-Diesel Locomotive Group.
Class 08, 08888 ‘Postmans Pride’ Courtesy of Valley Rail Preservation.
Class 09, 09106 Courtesy of Road and Rail Steam Services Ltd.
Other residents To Be Confirmed.

Page last updated 03/08/26. E&OE.