Summer Diesel Gala

Diesel powered fun in the sun!

Update 13 June:

The East Lancashire Railway is delighted to announce that visitors to the Summer Diesel Gala have the opportunity of a photographic morning ‘run past’ with visiting locomotive Class 31, 31108 hauling the ELR 75t Crane, Ballast Wagons and Brake Van.

The Class 31 photo-charter takes place on Friday, 4th July at Burrs Country Park. Access is possible by walking beneath the railway from the park, and along the public footpath to access the field. There will be three run-pasts with donations kindly accepted on the day in the field.

There will also be the opportunity to drive the Class 09, 09024 at Rawtenstall on Thursday, 3 July AND Sunday, 6 July, 2025.

An ELR driver will guide you through operating ‘The Gronk’ for two trips out of the bay platform and up to the ‘headshunt’ near Rawtenstall West.

Each session will be on a first come, first served basis and you must book a slot on the day and already be in possession of a valid Summer Diesel Gala ticket for the same date as the experience. Bookings will be taken in the café coach at Rawtenstall and are charged at £20 a session.

Please be aware that there are some strict Terms & Conditions with this experience. These include and are not limited to:

• Age: 18 Years +
• Minimum height: 5ft / 1.52m
• Must be physically able to board and alight the loco unassisted
• Must NOT be under the influence of ANY drugs or alcohol
• Full terms and conditions listed below

Electro-Motive Class 57, 57002 ‘Winston Churchill’ will make its ELR debut courtesy of LSL Ltd.

This is the final visiting locomotive announcement for the Summer Diesel Gala (3 – 6 July, 2025) and joins ‘heavyweight’ Class 37, 37716, Class 31, 31108 and Class 50, 50008 ‘Thunderer’ courtesy of Swietelsky Rail (Grindley HNRC), A1A Locomotives Ltd and Hanson & Hall Ltd respectively.

Brake Van Rides are back (!) – scroll down for details of dates, times and locomotives featured.

Gleaming diesel locomotives, gorgeous sun-drenched days (hopefully) and soothing summer evenings. It’s the East Lancashire Railway’s Summer Diesel Gala.

See and ride behind your favourite engines from the ELR home fleet, with an intensive all diesel timetable for three whole days. This is one of the most popular annual enthusiast events of the year, so don’t miss out.

Guest Locomotives:

• Class 31, 31108
• Class 37, 37716
• Class 50, 50008 ‘Thunderer’
• Class 57, 57002 ‘Winston Churchill’

Home Fleet:

• Class 14, D9531
• Class 35, ‘Hymek’, D7076
• Class 40, 40012 ‘Aureol’
• Class 42, ‘Warship’, D832
• Class 45, 45108
• Class 47, 47765
• Class 50, 50015 ‘Valiant’
• Class 56, 56006
• Class 105/122

All traction is subject to availability and may not necessarily feature on every date of the event.

Tickets now on-sale! Buy a ‘3 Day Rover’ ticket and get the 4th day FREE!

Fares

Advance discount fares are available to purchase up until midnight the day prior to travel.

Discounted One Day Rover Family Packages are available for:

• 2 Adults and up to 3 Children/Young Persons: £89.50 (Advance) / £99.50 (On the Day)
• 1 Adult and 2 Children/Young Persons: £67.50 (Advance) / £75 (On the Day)

Select the number of tickets you need, and the discount will applied to the basket.

Day Rover Tickets are also available for the following (please show your pass on day of travel):
• Resident Permit Holders
• ELRPS Members
• ATOC (RST) Pass Holders

Caravan and Motorhome Day Rover tickets are not valid at this event
HRA Pass is not valid at this event

Children under sixteen years of age are only permitted to enter the company’s trains, stations or other premises when accompanied by a responsible adult.

Add a Breakfast to your Day Rover Ticket. Choose either a Breakfast Barm or Full Breakfast as an add-on and collect from The Trackside Pub on Bury Bolton Street Station (Platform 2) between 8am and 12 noon. If you hold a multi-day Rover ticket, you can collect your breakfast on any of the days your ticket is valid.

‘Irwell Valley Fryer’ featuring Class 31, 31108 – Friday, 4 July 2025. Complete your Friday visit to the Summer Diesel Gala with a Fish & Chips ‘chippy tea’ on board the train hauled behind visiting Class 31, 31108, courtesy of A1A Locomotives LTD (subject to availability). Limited space is available and tickets cost £12.50 per person. Simply select this as an add-on when booking your tickets for our Summer Diesel Gala on the 4 July, or purchase as a stand alone.

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Brake Van Rides are back!

Thursday and Friday (3-4 July) see the return of our popular Diesel brake van rides as part of a freight train formation, with all return journeys starting at Bury and operating as far as Ramsbottom.

Tickets are priced at £10 per return journey to Ramsbottom and are strictly first come, first served. Terms and conditions can be found below.

The following dates, departures times (from Bury) and locomotive allocations, are as follows, subject to availability:

Thursday, 3 July:

Friday, 4 July:

Brake Van Ride terms and conditions

You must be in possession of a Summer Diesel Extravaganza Day Rover for the same date as your Brake Van Ride ticket. Travel will only be allowed on presentation of both valid tickets. Brake Van Ride tickets are valid only for the service stated, and for one return trip only.

The following Terms and Conditions are deemed accepted by anyone purchasing a Summer Diesel Extravaganza Brake Van ride:

• Age: 18 Years +
• Minimum height: 5ft / 1.52m
• Must be physically able to board and alight the brake van unassisted
• No dogs

East Lancashire Railway staff members can refuse travel to anyone not compliant or unfit to travel.

Due to the age and design of the Brake Vans , we are unable to accept people who require the assistance of a mobility scooter/walking aid or wheelchair.

Customers will not be permitted to board if they are under the influence of alcohol.

Taster Driver Experience with Class 09, 09024, on payment of a £20 supplement (only payable on the day), where you can take the controls under expert guidance as stated below, traversing ‘rare’ track.

• Dates: Thursday, 3 July AND Sunday, 6 July, 2025
• Journey: Rawtenstall Bay Platform <> Rawtenstall West Headshunt
• Payment: £20 supplement, payable on the day from the Cafe Carriage
• Trip duration: Two return trips
• Quantity of people per session: Limited to one person
• Footwear: Sturdy shoes such as walking boots – no fashion shoes
• Clothing: We may provide overalls and gloves. Trousers or jeans only along with suitable top/jumper
• Age restriction: Over 18s only – ID may be requested

Each session will be on a first come, first served basis and you must book a slot on the day and already be in possession of a valid Summer Diesel Gala ticket for the same date as the experience.

Taster Driver Experience – terms and conditions

Please ensure you read through the terms and conditions carefully. Each person will be required to wear overalls and a pair of gloves provided by the ELR if requested.