Diesel Gala at Wensleydale Railway

Wensleydale Railway has announced that it will be hosting its annual Diesel Gala over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May.

The event will take place at Leeming Bar Station from Saturday 23 May to Monday 25 May and a special timetable will be in operation over the 3-days, with trains running from Leeming Bar to Scruton and to Bedale, Finghall Lane and Leyburn.

The railway is pleased to announce that a visiting class 37 locomotive, number 37421, will be joining the event from Colas Rail Freight services.

Subject to availability, the proposed locomotive line up for the event is:

Class 37 (37250)

Class 37 (37421 - visiting from Colas Rail)

Class 47 (47714)

Class 121 bubble car (55032)

If you fancy spending the whole day riding the trains, choose the all-day ‘Ranger’ train ticket for £25. The Ranger ticket allows visitors to travel on any train, enjoy multiple journeys throughout the day of their ticket date, and hop on and off where they like.

Normal return fares and single fares are also available. Children aged 3 to 15 travel for only £1 on Wensleydale Railway’s trains, with a paying adult, so bring the whole family for a fun day out!

Tickets can be bought online or on the day from the railway’s ticket offices.

Catering will be available at Leeming Bar in the static buffet car coach, serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and sandwiches, along with a selection of souvenirs. A selection of draft & bottled craft beers will be on sale on the station platform, courtesy of The Engine Shed Brewery.

Leyburn Station’s tearoom will also be serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and confectionery and volunteer Mandy’s ‘world-famous’ cakes! Don’t forget to visit the station gift shop, with its wide selection of railway books, memorabilia, and gifts to choose from.

Nick Keegan, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Wensleydale Railway said: “Our annual diesel gala is a great opportunity for us to operate a special timetable and showcase some of our heritage diesel locomotives, and stunning scenery, to the public. 3 of our home diesel fleet will take part in this event, along with a visiting guest locomotive, number 37421. We are very grateful to our friends at Colas Rail for allowing the use of their locomotive.”

He added: “In addition to Leeming Bar, Bedale and Leyburn, Scruton Station will be open during the weekend so don’t miss the opportunity to come and visit this beautifully restored Edwardian station. Step back in time at this delightful example of a small rural station, tour the beautifully restored station building and enjoy a living museum experience with our wonderful team of period-customed volunteers as you learn about railway life in the 1900s.”

Timetable, loco roster & tickets: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/home-fleet-gala/

Email - admin@wensleydalerailway.com

Phone - 01677 425 805