Diesel Gala 2024
Saturday 15th June 2024
Despite the changeable weather the gala was well attended and we did in fact manage to run all 9 of our Motor Rail simplex locomotives.
Simplex 8825 (1943) Deutz engined No9 "Sark shunting stock at start of gala.
Simplex 8874 (1944) "Major JA Robins RE" no.5.
Simplex 7481 (1940) no.4 "Wilton"
Simplex 3995 (1926) no.1 "Paul".
L to R Simplex 9624 (1947) no.8 "Fred", Simplex 1935 (1920) no.7 "Nocton" & Simplex 8622 no.6 (1941).
Simplex 8738 (1942) "T3".
This was the first outing for Simplex 8905 (1944?) driven here by its owner.
Trains were "top & tailed" throughout the day. Here "Paul" is at front & "Wilton" on rear.
"Paul" is seen at South Loop where major platform and station works are taking place.
" Major JA Robins RE" with "T3" head away from camera to South Loop.
No.6 with "Wilton" on rear returning to Walls Lane.
The cavalcade of 9 locos negotiating no. 2 curve on return to Walls Lane.
A second run for the 9 locos. This time 8905 was not under power and ran minus driver.
A fine sight as the 9 locos are about to enter the coppice.
With the clouds about to provide a deluge the locos return to shed. "Major" was on passenger stock shunting at the station.