A little earlier than usual but our guest loco for the 2022 Diesel Gala has been announced. We are happy to confirm that one of the Eastern Region's finest classes of locomotive (open to interpretation, of course!) will be joining us for the Gala through to the end of October. Courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society, if that hasn't given it away, we will be welcoming 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' for an extended holiday.
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| 'Deltic' 19 at the GCR earlier this year. (Courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society). |
Originally planned to be our 2020, then 2021 Gala visitor, it is good to finally be able to announce it happening and, a great way to return to the Gala format after 2 years of Covid cancellations! The Class 55 'Deltic' has a massive fan club so this, the 40th year of the first 'Deltic' entering preservation, will be extra special and, following on from the 2019 visit of a Class 50 for the very first time over the line, this will be the very first time a 'Deltic' will have traversed our part of the line. Who doesn't like 'firsts'?!
As well as being our Gala visitor, the 'Deltic' will also play a part in the Mixed Traffic Gala at the end of October. We are also planning other running days and Driving Experiences in conjunction with the DPS who are keen to see the loco utilised - as was done with 50035 in 2019. Keep an eye on the socials and GWSR website for further details.
As a quick follow on from the last blog, the Class 122 'bubble' has started the pampering process down at Carriage and Wagon. The rubbing down process has started so won't be too long before painting begins. You can keep up to date on the happenings on our sister C&W Blog - https://gwsrcarriageandwagon.blogspot.com/
One the subject of the DMU's, the oily engine issue reported in the last blog was not just relevant to one engine on the set - in fact, all were like it. The team believe that this is just carryover from the engines idling for long periods and not indicative of anything more sinister, as no other issues were identified.
D5343 has also been reunited with it's 6 new liners. After a major clean and check of the main Sulzer block, at the end of March and with the fantastic early Spring weather, Simon T and the gang were able to get the loco under the gantry and get the liners lifted up and into the block. Another tick on the Class 26's long route back to service.
