DARTMOOR Railway will be hosting its first ever Diesel Gala event next month, with a host of vintage locomotives sure to attract hundreds of train enthusiasts. Dartmoor Railway is planning to bring in locomotives from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway as well as using the home fleet. This will allow organisers to put together 37142 and 371978 which last worked a passenger train together 18 years ago. Normal services will be suspended during the gala which takes place on the weekend of October 14-15, as the diesel engines will be running over the complete 15 miles between Meldon and Coleford Junction with an additional shuttle service between Meldon and Okehampton. Services will be running on both days, from 9.30am for the early starters, through to the end of the day. Tickets will be £20 for each day with concessions for children and pensioners. This will allow travel all day on the train hauled by different locomotives. A weekend ticket can be purchased for £30. With large crowds of enthusiasts expected, Dartmoor Railway is seeking volunteers to act as stewards and to direct visitors to the various car parks. If anyone is interested in volunteering, please contact Stuart Farmer on 01837 55637.
