First visiting locomotives for steam and diesel galas announced15th March 2023

The Epping Ongar Railway can reveal details of the first visiting locomotives to attend its steam and diesel galas in 2023.

The steam gala, from June 23 to 25, will see British Railways Hawksworth pannier tank locomotive 9466 pay a visit to the steeply graded line, whilst the diesel gala, from 22 to 24 September, will welcome recently overhauled class 25 diesel locomotive D7659 (25309).

Photo: George Saville

9466 was initially planned to visit in 2022, but a mechanical failure meant that the visit was postponed. The locomotive which was built in 1952, carries unlined British Railways black livery and is sure to be a popular visitor. It was used for working empty trains out of London’s Paddington station right up until the end of steam workings on the Western Region.

Diesel locomotive D7659 returned to service in late 2021 after an absence of over 23 years. Built in 1966 and working mostly on the London Midland region, the locomotive spent some periods of time allocated to Cricklewood depot in London.

The steam gala will see 9466 in operation alongside our own fleet of steam locomotives, including fellow Great Western locomotive, 4953 Pitchford Hall and prairie tank locomotive 5521, carrying London Transport livery as L150.

Tony Goulding, Rolling Stock Manager, said about the visit of 9466 ”We are thrilled that 9466 is able to make a visit for the steam gala. It is a rare opportunity for it to be put through its paces on our challenging gradients.”

D7659 is expected to have company at the Diesel Gala from the Railway’s own class 25 locomotive, D7523 (25173) which is nearing completion of a comprehensive overhaul offsite before returning to the Essex line and expected to be working its first services for nearly ten years.

Photo: Jason Cross

Marco Carrara, member of the Railway’s Management Committee and diesel gala organiser said of the visit of D7659 “We are delighted that D7659 is able to join the line-up for our diesel gala. With the return to traffic of D7523 it will be the first time two class 25 locomotives have appeared at the Railway at the same time, and it will reunite the locomotives that double headed a service out of St Pancras station in August 1980”.

The Diesel Gala will also feature the Railway’s home fleet of locomotives, 03170, 08114, 20001, 31438, 37029 and 47635 offering something for every enthusiast’s taste.

Further visiting locomotives are expected to be announced closer to the events, with tickets going on sale soon

Both events will see an intensive timetable being operated with services running into the evening on the Saturday. 9466 visits from the West Somerset Railway courtesy of John Jones Pratt, and D7659 visits from Peak Rail courtesy of the owners, the Waterman Locomotive Trust.