June diesel events offer rich pickings for heritage modern traction enthusiasts
of railways are holding events for heritage modern traction enthusiasts during June, as the diesel event calendar continues to return to as it was pre-pandemic.
The month kicks off with the West Somerset Railway returning to the diesel event circuit by holding a 1960s-themed diesel event from June 9 to 11. The event is expected to feature the railway’s home fleet of locomotives, although at the time of writing, the full line-up and whether there will be any visiting locomotives had not been announced.
June 10 to 12 also sees events taking place at the North Norfolk Railway and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
The NNR is holding a Mixed Traction Event, which will include the railway’s home fleet of diesels and two steam locomotives, with D7659 making its first visit away from Peak Rail following completion of its restoration last year, along with a visitor being supplied to the event by Direct Rail Services. The KWVR event will feature the railway’s operational fleet, with DRS supplying a visiting locomotive and D6515 visiting from Swanage. It is also expected that 144011 will make its passenger debut at the event.
The following weekend – June 18/19 – sees the Midland Railway – Butterley holding a DMU gala, featuring the line’s Class 108 and 141 DMUS, along with the expected passenger debut in service of 142011. The Gwili Railway is holding a mixed traffic gala on the same weekend, although no details have yet been revealed about this event.
The East Lancashire Railway will be hosting its main summer diesel event from June 30 to July 2, with all of the railway’s operational locomotives in use.
A pair of Class 20s from Locomotive Services have been announced, with further visiting locomotives expected to be revealed over the coming weeks.