Locos Worked…43, NG46, NG51, Creepy, 80 “Beaudesert” and 81 “Plod”
Ching…..£37 – Senior Weekend Rover.
Welcome to see Rovers issued for the weekend, but the proviso that those who have booked normal tickets on a particular train had priority for seats over Rover ticket holders hardly encouraged rover purchases. I know of no other line with this policy to Rover Tickets.
Rakes… 2 rakes with a roughly 90 minute service interval
The 2024 Diesel Gala had more, albeit shorter rakes and a half hourly service
Highlights….
1/ Simplex 43 with her characteristic deep throaty thrash performing well on her limited number of rostered turns
2/ Good to get “Creepy” in again, loud little engine.
Farces….(5 of many!)
1/ Rubbish loco rostering, the LBNGR is famous for its Simplex’s, only 43 was rostered
2/ 44, as expected, failed before the first train with some Baguely-Drewry as substitute despite a shed full of much sought after Simplexes.
3/ The 1 coach Mundays Hill Flyers were a good idea, we had visions of Simplexes galore with translator engine thrashing up the bank. Alas no, the loco that had just arrived on a service train from Pages Park worked them, thats plain daft!
4/ Turnout wasn’t a wedge, i know of at least 5 people who decided against the Gala on seeing that roster. Why wasn’t a rare Simplex that hasn’t worked for years advertised to attract custom, Stonehenge was full of sought after Simplexes that are very rare on service trains.
5/ The 2024 Gala had 10 different locos in one day, could we have the volunteer that rostered that brilliant Gala back in charge for the 2026 Gala, if we get one.
Link to the brilliant 2024 Diesel Gala here…
A few Phots from the 2025 Gala
46 and Creepy both former MoD machines with the 1052 Pages Park – Munday’s Hill on May 31st 2025, Creepy was as loud as ever!
81 “Plod” approaches Leedon loop with the 1047 Stonehenge – Pages Park on May 31st 2025
Small Simplexes not on passenger but on empty hoppers on the “main line” between Stonehenge and Mundays Hill on May 31st 2025
A proper LBNGR loco at Stonehenge prior to working the 1147 Flyer to Munday’s Hill on May 31st 2025
Recreating the scene, sand is off loaded into “Red Rum’s” hoppers at Stonehenge on May 31st 2025
43 and 81 “Plod” creep up to the crossing near Vandyke School on the 1414 Stonehenge – Pages Park on May 31st 2025
The morning sun illuminates battery loco NG 23 on Pages Park depot on June 1st 2025
A busy scene at Stonehenge 46 and 80 “Beaudesert” are uncoupled from the 0930 ex Pages Park for NG 51 to work forward on June 1st 2025
The armoured “Turtles” WWI era 2182 and 3098 on Stonehenge on June 1st 2025
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