The Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway in Oxfordshire is holding its first event of 2025 when it hosts a Diesel Gala over the first weekend in April featuring four guest classic mainline diesel locomotives.

After taking on feedback from the many diesel enthusiasts who enjoyed the railway’s previous three-day ‘Big Diesel Thrashes’, it has re-introduced a gala for 2025 from Friday, 4th to Sunday, 6th April.

As well as the four guest locomotives, the railway’s resident Class 37, 37227 will be hauling services.

The event is being sponsored by Hanson & Hall, and making guest appearances for the weekend will be:

• Class 31 No. 31108, courtesy of A1A Locomotives Ltd.
• Class 45 No. 45108, courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company.
• Class 50 No. 50008 Thunderer, courtesy of Hanson & Hall; this will not run on Saturday, 5th April.
• Class 50 No. 50015 Valiant, courtesy of Bury Valiant Group.

During the week before the gala, visitors will also be able to take part in Driver Experiences with the following locomotives:

• March 29th – Class 31 No. 31108.
• April 1st – Class 45 No. 45108 hauling a ballast train.
• April 2nd – Class 50 No. 50015 Valiant

With an intensive timetable over the three days of the gale, the classic diesel locomotives will be challenged when they climb the 1 in 68 Chinnor Bank and 1 in 100 from Thame Junction into Princes Risborough.

It is also planned to offer visitors rides in the cabs of selected locomotives on payment of a supplementary fare, and details of those will be announced later.

Tickets can be purchased online at any time until 18.00 on the day before travel, and are generally cheaper than buying at stations, although there is a £2 agency fee per online transaction.

• Adult 1-day Rovers bought online cost £20.00 (accompanied child 3-15 years £5).
• Adult 2-day Rover online only £30.00 (accompanied child 3-15 years £10).
• Adult 3-day Rover online only £40.00 (accompanied child 3-15 years £15).
• On the day, an adult 1-day Rover £25 (accompanied child 3-15 years £5).

Further information about the gala and the driver experiences can be found on the railway’s website at https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/