14, 15 & 16 June 2024

Prepare for an extraordinary journey through time as they proudly announce the triumphant return of the Diesel Gala at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway! 

Join them for this three-day event, where enthusiasts and families alike can revel in the captivating world of heritage diesel locomotives amidst the stunning landscapes of the North York Moors National Park.

This year, they’re thrilled to not only have the NYMR home fleet of diesel locomotives but also they will be announcing three exciting visiting locomotives for you to ride behind – the first of which is Deltic No. 55009 ‘Alycidon’, courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS). During this visit, No. 55009 is painted and numbered in the guise of long-scrapped Deltic No. 55013 ‘The Black Watch’. 

So mark your calendars for a nostalgic experience where the echoes of a bygone era meet the excitement of today’s generation. Don’t miss the opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones, surrounded by the charm and allure of their beloved heritage diesel locomotives.

NYMR Home Fleet of Diesel Locomotives

The Class 37, known by some as Tractors for their agricultural sounding diesel engine, were designed for both passenger and freight work and became a familiar sight on many parts of the British Rail network. No. 37264 (originally numbered D6964) was built at the Vulcan Foundry in 1965 and served in South Yorkshire and East Anglia before transferring to Cardiff in 1988 and finishing her nearly 35-year career there in 1999 before arriving at the NYMR in 2010 and has been in regular use since.

In the 1950s, the Sulzer Type 2 was introduced as part of the Modernisation Plan. However, the initial version of this locomotive was found to be underpowered. To address this issue, a new variant was built, which later became known as the Class 24 and Class 25 diesels. A total of 327 Class 25s were manufactured, and they became so commonly seen on the railways that they earned the nickname “rats” from spotters.

D7628, also known as ‘Sybilla,’ was one of the last batch of locomotives built by Beyer Peacock in Manchester. It entered service at Tinsley in October 1965 and later moved to the Midland Region in 1967. Numbered as 25278, it was the final locomotive of its class to undergo a general overhaul at Derby in 1981. Finally, it was officially withdrawn on March 15, 1987. ‘Sybilla’ was originally painted in a two-tone green colour and named as per the request of its previous owner, Jos de Crau.

Services & Allocations

A special intensive timetable will be in operation during this event with evening running on Friday and Saturday. The full timetable will be published closer to the time and locomotive allocations will be released a week before the event.

Tickets

Buy one ticket that lasts all weekend and beyond!

Buy an all day, all line Adult rover ticket for £49.50 and return all three days of the Diesel Gala! Plus you also receive 12 months return travel. PLUS, kids go FREE in 2024!*