The weekend of June 9th & 10th will see the South Devon Railway hold another of its very popular diesel gala events. The normal sleepy branch line worked by Great Western Railway steam locomotives will be transformed to feature a wide variety of classic diesel locomotive types from bygone eras.

Although often referred to as “modern image”, the diesel heritage of the country goes back many years. All of the locomotives expected to appear during the weekend date from either the 1950’s or 60’s. Indeed three of the locomotives are representatives of some of the pilot scheme designs ordered by British Railways in the 1950’s to replace steam traction.

The English Electric Company delivered the first pilot scheme locomotive, No. D8000 to British Railways in June 1957. The design proved to be so successful that after the initial batch of 20 locomotives, further builds took the total number to 228. During the South Devon Railway diesel gala, two of these, 20 110 and 20 118 “Saltburn by the Sea” will be in action. Built as a single cab design the two Class 20’s will work separate diagrams throughout the day on the Saturday, however during Saturday evening and for all day Sunday, 20 110 and 20 118 will work in multiple. This allows both locomotives to be controlled from one cab and was a feature often employed in the class’s later years.

The second design dating from the 1950’s is that of the Class 31. Although modified from the original design, this was another success with 225 examples eventually being built. The Class also has it origins in 1957 when the first 20 members were introduced. In later years members of the Class 31 fleet could often be found working in the South West and were regular performers on both local passenger trains and freight workings. Whilst a few examples have visited Buckfastleigh during the early 1980’s when they were used to haul the annual visiting weedkilling train, to date no member of the class has ever worked a passenger train over the line between Totnes and Buckfastleigh. Thanks to the generosity of the owning group A1A Locomotives Ltd No.31 108 will provide the first chance for enthusiasts to enjoy a ride over the South Devon line behind this type. Following the gala weekend 31 108 will stay on at the railway for a 12 month period and is also expected to feature on a number of other workings and at other events.

Two further mainline diesel types appearing will be Class 25 No. D7612 and the ever popular Class 37, 37 321 Loch Treig. The gala weekend will see the last workings of the Class 25 on the line prior to it making a summer visit to another railway, although it will return in time to take part in the diesel gala on November 3rd.

Whilst the bigger locomotives always attract a lot of interest, one locomotive that will be running on the Saturday is the Devon Diesel Society’s small Class 04 0-6-0 diesel mechanical shunter No. D2246. During the day the little green engine, which dates from 1956, will make a rare appearance working a couple of passenger trains over the full length of the line.

Being a branch line it is appropriate for a diesel multiple unit, or D.M.U as they were more commonly known, make an appearance. On the Saturday the resident Class 127 two-car set will make one round trip from Totnes to Buckfastleigh and back. Although of similar body design to many units that operated in the West Country, the S.D.R based Class 127 actually spent its life working the busy commuter lines out of London St Pancras.

Services on the Saturday will be all diesel worked, however on the Sunday there will also be a couple of round trips featuring steam locomotive No.5526. This will operate together with the two-car “Auto train” set in “push Pull” mode. This method of working, where the driver could control the train and locomotive from the leading end compartment of the coach, was a regular feature in the South West and in many ways it was the forerunner of the later D.M.U’s.

On both days, in addition to the regular passenger services, there will be early morning and evening runs for both a typical diesel era freight and diesel era ballast train. During the day these trains will be stabled at both Totnes and Buckfastleigh and locomotives resting between trips will be stabled against the trains to provide visitors with the chance to photograph them.

At Buckfastleigh other locomotives will be on display including South Devon Diesel Traction’s Class 33, 33 002 Seaking. This locomotive is part way through a major restoration to working order and will be displayed outside. In the main sheds the Devon Diesel Society’s Class 50, No.D402 will also be viewable. This particular locomotive, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, is in the early stages of a major restoration programme. When complete the loco will appear in as near as built condition as possible.

Also at Buckfastleigh Class 122 “Bubblecar” No.55000 will be viewable. The unit is another long term restoration project. Progress is such that the unit is expected to enter traffic later this year or early next.

Close to No.55000 is the Class 09 shunter No.D3666 / 09 002. This loco is the subject of a amajor fund raising campaign to return it to full working order. The engine and most of the above frame components are complete and in working order which just leaves the wheelsets/axleboxes/traction motors etc to complete.

Several trains will feature an on train bar serving many different real ales. These include Type 1, 2, 3 and 4 bottle condition ales that are brewed for the Devon Diesel Society by Red Rock Brewery. Each type features a special label with 20 110 appearing on the Type 1, 31 108 on the Type 2, 37 321 on the Type 3 and D402 on the Type 4. All profits from the bar will go towards the ongoing restoration of D402 and the Devon Diesel Society’s other projects.

The Refreshment Rooms at Buckfastleigh will be serving a wide variety of hot meals, cold snacks, drinks and other beverages, whilst some trains will also feature an on train buffet car serving lighter refreshments. The Rare Breeds Centre adjacent to Totnes Station also has a buffet serving a good selection of food.

It is also hoped to be able to provide hot food on the Saturday evening “Beerex” trains. These will feature both Class 20’s and the visiting Class 31 and provide an enjoyable way to spend the evening. The real ale bar will be open throughout and with three classic locomotives that have their origins back 50 years ago to the month, it really should be a memorable evening.

The Devon Diesel Society, who are organising the event on behalf of the railway in conjunction with South Devon Diesel Traction, will also have a special event guide on sale. This will give full details of all the locomotives appearing, plus details of where to get good line side photo’s, details of other running days etc. These will be on sale from the on train bar.

Working Timetables will be available during the weekend free of charge and copies are also available to download from this site.

Both one and two day rover tickets will be available to enable visitors to make the best of what’s on offer.

Finally for those visitors who also enjoy modelling the diesel (and other) eras, don’t forget to visit Expressway Models at Buckfastleigh, where in addition to all the latest products, also has an extensive stock of second hand locomotives and rolling stock.

There will also be our Vintage 'bus service providing a gentle tour around the locale with stops at Buckfast Abbey and Buckfastleigh Town. On a clear day there is a good view over the local countryside to Dartmoor from the upper deck.