Your best ever gala?

[SwindonManor]

After the thread I made about:

What is one heritage railway or railway attraction you want to visit and have not yet?

It made me think: What is the best gala you have ever visited? Me personally, the Peco Loco Week 2025.

 

[SECR 65]

Bluebell Railway 65th Aniversary Gala August 2025

 

[amahy]

For me, either of Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Diesel Gala, June 2025, or East Lancashire Railway Western Region Weekend, April 2025.

 

[Train Maniac]

Kent & East Sussex Railway Golden Anniversary Gala June 2024. Some of the most bats**t crazy loco driving up Tenterden bank I've ever seen!

Close second would be the West Somerset Railway's Spring Steam Gala last year, for the sheer varirety of locos in use

 

[LittleRedTrain]

The Ffestiniog Gala last June was very impressive with the loco cavalcade across the Cob.
Sadly it was dampened by poor weather (too hot for the first couple of days, causing a fire risk, then windy and wet on the day of the cavalcade when everyone was at the lineside!)

 

[Neilo09]

Does the greatest gathering count

 

[Harvester]

Well if it does, I will add the Sunday 31st August 1975 Cavalcade staged for the Stockton and Darlington 150 celebrations as my best ever. Fantastic display on BR metals.

 

[sprinterguy]

North York Moors diesel gala 2005, I think it was. Didn't know until the morning of the day that I'd be able to attend, and then once I got there the sun shining down all day, and standing alone on the road bridge at the south end of Goathland station, with the BRCW Type 2 gently putt-puttering round the two carriage shuttle set from Grosmont.

 

[Forty29]

The SVR diesel gala l think October 24, the one with double headed Warships and Hymek.
Also a few years before that with the single blue livery class 25.

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

The Diesel Gala At The Bo'ness and Kinneil railway - Winter (December) 2024. Just so much going on.
Would reccomend

 

[BigB]

The class 14 50th anniversary gala at East Lancs was an absolute hoot, and although just the one class had a real variety of traction make up including all the locos.
Similarly the deltic 50th bash, well worth the travel! Maybe Tulyar will be available for the next one??

 

[ic31420]

ELR Stay of Execution

 

[Ziggy3legs]

The West Somerset Railway's "Somerset & Dorset 40th anniversary" gala in spring 2006. The weather wasn't brilliant but it was like the pages of an Ivo Peters book coming to life.

 

[DaventryRabbit]

ELR Stay of Execution

Agreed

 

[Forty29]

Didn't go

ELR Stay of Execution

Didn't go but still have the DVD!. If l had it would have been top trumps!

 

[scuzzlebutt]

ELR Stay of Execution

+ 56

 

[158760]

Bluebell Railway 65th Aniversary Gala August 2025

Either this gala or Strictly Bulleid II at Swanage - having so many Bulleid pacifics in one place was incredible!

 

[SwindonManor]

Either this gala or Strictly Bulleid II at Swanage - having so many Bulleid pacifics in one place was incredible!

If they do another bullied gala I would love that

 

[m79900]

East Lancs railways DMU gala last November. Great variety with various 1st gen types as well as a HST and a Pacer, and all while travelling through the industrial North West.
A packed and standing blue Bubble car from Bury was my highlight. Proper authentic.

 

[Titfield]

If they do another bullied gala I would love that

Don’t forget SB 1 which was the real risk to see if it attracted enough patronage above the considerable cost of staging the event to confirm the concept was sound.

 

[SwindonManor]

SB 2 has happened hasn't it? They said in the post for it (they being swanage)

Unlikely to be repeated

So who knows?

 

[SECR 65]

SB 2 has happened hasn't it? They said in the post for it (they being swanage)

So who knows?

Strictly Bulleid 2 Happened a couple of years ago. The thought amongst some is that SB3 may be unlikely.

 

[SwindonManor]

Strictly Bulleid 2 Happened a couple of years ago. The thought amongst some is that SB3 may be unlikely.

Yea that's a sad, and likely possibility...
On the bright side I did see Eddystone on the great britain
(Why did that originally send twice?)

 

[jumble]

Bluebell Railway 65th Anniversary Gala August 2025

100% this
£27.00
First class declassified
Chesham set in use
Incredible noise of cavalcade

 

[SECR 65]

100% this
£27.00
First class declassified
Chesham set in use
Incredible noise of cavalcade

That gala was brilliant. I spent all three days up there and got some lovely footage and photos of it all. Weather was stunning throughout. Busy enough to make money and have a lovely atmosphere but it was usually possible to find seats without too much trouble. That cavalcade was absolutely stunning. My best moment of 2025 buy a mile.

 

[AJM580]

Class 37 50th Anniversary Gala at the Mid Norfolk in 2010 - Loads of thrash throughout

 

[Flying Phil]

I really enjoyed the GCR 50 event in 2023...seeing - and hearing, a 50 wagon freight train was special. The GCR can operate a very intensive timetable, fully utilising the double track and Mountsorrel Branch line during Galas.

 

[yorksrob]

Can 't remember what year it was, but the one on the Spa valley railway when it had two thumpers out.

Followed by the ELR's DMU weekends.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Basingstoke Railshow 27-September 1987. Excellent mix of static exhibits, 37116 with Mk1s (incl BCK) on Basingstoke to/from Andover shuttles, glorious weather.
I recall RAIL magazine's article was entitled "Didn't we nearly have it all?" Perfectly apt.

 

[SwindonManor]

Basingstoke Railshow 27-September 1987. Excellent mix of static exhibits, 37116 with Mk1s (incl BCK) on Basingstoke to/from Andover shuttles, glorious weather.
I recall RAIL magazine's article was entitled "Didn't we nearly have it all?" Perfectly apt.

Here's me wishing they bring back Exeter Railfair