The East Lancashire Railway has released details of its Summer Diesel Gala to be held over the first weekend in July.

From Thursday, 2nd to Sunday, 5th July, locomotives from the railway’s home fleet will be joined by guest locomotives, with HNRC Swietelsky’s Class 20 ‘Chopper’ No. 20303 in its attractive new livery the latest to be confirmed.

Other guest locomotives include another HNRC Swietelsky locomotive, Class 37 No. 37610, which was originally owned by DRS, will be appearing on all four days of the gala, and Class 58 No. 58023. The Class 58 will be appearing courtesy of Edward Stevenson, and will be the first time a Class 58 has run on the East Lancashire Railway, although they could often be seen hauling steel trains in nearby areas before they were withdrawn.

On Thursday, 2nd and Friday, 3rd July, adults over 18 will be able to travel between Bury and Ramsbottom in the brake van on freight trains. On Thursday, freight trains will depart from Bury at 09.44 hauled by Class 24 No.D5053, at 11.44 hauled by Class 42 Warship No. 832 Onslaught, and at 13.39 hauled by Class 14 No. D9531. On Friday, trains will depart from Bury at 11.55 behind Class 35 D7076, at 14.03 behind Class 47 47765, and at 16.50 hauled by Class 40 40106.

Further information and booking details, including information about discounted tickets for residents, are online at https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/…/summer-diesel-gala/