The Leighton Buzzard Railway staged its annual Diesel Gala on Sunday 7 June, bringing a range of historic diesel locomotives into operation alongside the line’s regular main-line fleet.

Among the highlights was a rare end-to-end run by the 44hp Fire Engine ‘Ruston’, built in 1939 as part of the Ministry of Defence Fire Train at MoD Chilmark.

Visitors also saw the 1938 20hp Simplex ‘Caravan’ traverse the full railway, its cab recently repainted in its original green livery.

Additional diesel traction from the railway’s collection operated on the demonstration line at Stonehenge Works, including the protected First World War-era Simplex locomotive 3098, on loan from the National Railway Museum. A recreation of the sand trains that prompted the construction of the railway in 1919 also ran several times during the event.

Fundraising efforts were supported by ‘Driver for a Fiver’ experiences aboard the locomotive ‘Beaudesert’, a diesel locomotive formerly used during Channel Tunnel construction. Proceeds are helping fund the return to steam of the railway’s long-serving Orenstein & Koppel locomotive P.C. Allen.

Attention now turns to upcoming events. On Father’s Day, Sunday 21 June, fathers will be offered a complimentary footplate ride on ‘Chaloner’, the railway’s vertical-boiler steam locomotive built by de Winton at Caernarfon in 1877. A Vintage Vehicle Rally follows on Sunday, 28 June, with a two-train service operating alongside displays of classic cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles. Preparations are also underway for a dinosaur-themed day to enjoy on 19 July.