Standard Gauge

Class 25 locomotive to visit Gloucestershire Warwickshire gala this weekend

Janine Booth
Posted: 1 year ago
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Last updated: 5th July, 2023 at 7:15 am

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Standard Gauge

Class 25 locomotive to visit Gloucestershire Warwickshire gala this weekend

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Janine Booth
Posted: 1 year ago
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Last updated: 5th July, 2023 at 7:15 am

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The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s annual Summer Heritage Diesel Gala takes place this weekend, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 July.

Sulzer Type 2 British Rail Class 25 No. D7659 ‘on shed' at Toddington — Sulzer Type 2 British Rail Class 25 No. D7659 ‘on shed’ at Toddington // Credit: Alex Farran

One highlight will be the visit of Sulzer Type 2 / British Rail Class 25 No. D7659 (7659/25309/25909).

The Railway announced the loco’s participation in the Gala in May, and has now confirmed its safe arrival at its locomotive base at Toddington last Friday (30 June), on loan from Peak Rail and the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust.

D7659 returned to traffic in late part of 2021 following a full restoration, hauling trains for the first time in twenty-three years. It will also attended the West Somerset Railway’s diesel festival in June and will appear at the Epping Ongar Railway’s diesel gala in September.

New volunteer building at Toddington station — Volunteer building at Toddington // Credit: Ian Crowder/GWSR

Up to eight diesel locomotives and a diesel multiple unit (DMU) will run during the event, in an intensive timetable. GWSR promises that “for fans of diesel traction from the heyday of British Rail, this is a weekend not to be missed”.