ELR Diesel Gala 2-5 July 2026

The annual big paraffin can bash starts this Thursday, details are up on the website including timetables with loco allocations. Interesting one for me will be 58023, hydraulics in action.
https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/summer-diesel-gala/

 

Couple of bits and bobs not on the website:

Driver Experience at Rawtenstall

At Rawtenstall station on Thursday 2nd July and Sunday 5th July, you can have your chance to drive Class 09 09024 along the bay platform line into the headshunt (get the red pens out!). The experience costs £20 (first come, first served) and includes two trips along the bay platform line.

Spotters note: 09024 returns light engine from Rawtenstall on Thursday after the last passenger train of the day. On Sunday 5th July the loco heads down to Rawtenstall at 08:35 from Bury and returns at 14:15 (note these are non-passenger carrying moves and may run early - or late).

Brake Van Rides

On Thursday and Friday we will be offering brake van rides on our freight train between Bury and Ramsbottom. Spaces are
limited and some trains were sold out weeks in advance. Please enquire at the booking office or scan the QR code right to check availability and book your ticket (£10 supplement + £2.50 transaction fee if booked online).
Please note brake van rides & footplate experience are only available to adults 18+ and passengers will not be permitted to board if they are under the influence of alcohol.

Sulzer Type 2 Freight Photographic Charter
Friday 3rd July kicks off with early morning photographic run pasts at Burrs Country Park on the Friday 3rd July. This will feature Class 24 D5054 (as D5053) on a traditional 1960s freight train. We expect to have time for around 3 run pasts.

The train will leave Bury at around 8:30am, so please be in position in the field opposite Burrs Country Park station in good time before 8:30am (accessed by following the footpath from The Brown Cow, passing under the bridge under the railway and then turning left along the footpath along the railway line and over a stile).

If you’d like to support the event, we’d be grateful for a donation of around £15 (or whatever you can afford!) Please look out for our volunteers with donation buckets. Every contribution, big or small helps us continue running events like this.

 

Tomorrow is the start of the Summer Diesel Gala, make sure you are at Bury for the first train of the day tomorrow, as we have something special up our sleeves for the first train of the day!

We are also delighted to be able to release 20 additional tickets for The Bury Bhuna Curry Train at 17:05 on Friday 3rd July. These tickets will be available to purchase up until Thursday 2nd July at 18:00. The first batch sold out, so book quickly to avoid disappointment. (Not available for purchase on the day).

When booking you have a choice of Chicken Madras or Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry (V/Ve) which is served with rice, naan, poppadom and mango chutney. A Day Rover Ticket valid for the Friday is required in addition to the Curry Train ticket.

For full details (including timetables) and to book your Bhuna and Rover tickets visit: https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/summer-diesel-gala/

 

One of the highlights today was the appearance of Class 20 D8069, joining 20303, for a test run on the first train of the day. We are happy to report all went well and usage of D8069 is planned as follows:
- Friday 3rd July - 16:50 Bury to Ramsbottom and return - Goods Brake Van Ride (Sold Out)
- Saturday 4th July - Double heading with 20303 from 18:50 for the remainder of the evening diagram (with 58023 on the south end of the train)

 

Couldn't make the morning so the resurrection of 8069 was missed. I spent the afternoon at Heywood, here's a handful stills.
Rammy and Irwell Vale planned for tomorrow, riding Saturday, Bolton Street for Sunday.

 

I spent yesterday at Ramsbottom on the ELR for the first day of there Summer Diesel Gala,
i arrived just in time to see Class 20 8069 hauling its first passenger service along with 20303 depart back to Bury from Ramsbottom.




58023 at Ramsbottom



37610 at Ramsbottom




832 Onslaught on the goods



7076 at Ramsbottom along with D9531 Ernest



24 & 25


If you enjoyed these photos all the rest of the days photos are here
https://railway-photography.smugmug.com/Days-out/2026/July-2026/ELR-Summer-Diesel-Gala-

Neil

 

Day two, Friday, the morning at Ramsbottom afternoon at Irwell Vale, a ride tomorrow. Shots from today:

 

Day three, had a day riding, complaint, not like a true gala - trains ran to time give or take a few minutes! Few shots grabbed whilst changing trains:

 

Day four and final day, the weather has been full dull for most of the event clearing a little right at the end of today. As said, around Bolton Street station then off to Burrs when the light improved. A few shots of the day's bag: