THE POOL of locomotives attending the GB Railfreight Gala Weekend at the Nene Valley Railway (NVR) on 7-8 September 2024 has been bolstered with the addition of Peterborough Yard based Class 08 No 08632.
Above: Class 08632 is the latest addition to the GBRf Gala Weekend locomotive line up. It stands outside GBRf's Peterborough Depot on June 14 2024.
The Class 08 marked a return for the class to Peterborough yard after a 15-year absence in July 2023, with the locomotive being used under contract by GBRf from Railway Support Services.
The Class 08 is dual-braked and will be operating on selected sections of the NVR during the gala weekend to provide a rare opportunity to travel behind this locomotive. Final details of its operation will be confirmed in the coming weeks ahead of the event.
Above: Representatives of GBRf's motive power fleet will be running throughout the weekend on Nene Valley Railway passenger services including an example of the Class 69. On June 27 69006 leads 4L66 Goole Glassworks-Middleton Towers at Glinton Junction on the approach to Peterborough. Mike Wild.
In addition, GBRf has confirmed that its locomotive representatives will cover classes 47, 57, 66 and 69 with the identities to be announced in the run up to the event in September. All classes allocated to the GBRf Gala Weekend will be hauling passenger services on the Nene Valley Railway between Wansford and Peterborough North.
For passengers arriving by rail a shuttle bus service will be running between Peterborough station and Peterborough Nene Valley Railway while an additional shuttle bus will be provided to transport GBRf Depot Access ticket holders from Peterborough station to the depot. No parking will be available on site at the GBRf Depot.
Funds raised from the gala will support the work of the MS Society, which provides support to those suffering with Multiple Sclerosis. GB Railfreight will donate funds raised from its site tours to its charity partner Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
Above: GBRf operated Class 08 08632 stands in the yard outside Peterborough Depot on June 14 2024. Mike Wild.
Dave Lane, Publisher of Modern Railways, said: ‘We are excited to confirm more details about the exciting range of GBRf traction which will be supporting this one-off event. In particular, the rare opportunity to enjoy haulage by an “08” is likely to be a popular aspect of the weekend. We will confirm further details about the specific locomotives involved soon.
‘We remain grateful for the support of all our event partners, without whom the weekend would not be possible, and we look forward to raising a considerable sum in support of two very worthwhile charities.’
Advance tickets are on sale now through Key Publishing for the event which is being organised by Modern Railways magazine, GBRf, the Nene Valley Railway and Rhythm and Booze with support from Hornby Magazine and Key Model World. Ale on the Rail trains will be running on Friday and Saturday evening hauled by NVR-based diesel locomotives. Tickets for the Ale on the Rails trains are sold separately.
Click here for full details of the GBRf Gala Weekend on September 7/8 2024.
