21st May, 2025
RES-liveried Class 47 to star at Wensleydale Railway gala
Home Fleet Diesel Gala locos
This coming weekend, the spring bank holiday, the Wensleydale Railway in North Yorkshire will hold a three-day Home Fleet Diesel Gala from Saturday, 24th to Monday, 26th May.
To be held at Leeming Bar Station, three locomotives from the railway’s home fleet will operate a special timetable between Leeming Bar and Scruton, and to Bedale, Finghall Lane, and Leyburn.
Plans are for services to be operated by Class 47 No. 47714, Class 37 No. 37250, and Class 33 No. 33035.
This will be the first time that 47714 will have hauled passenger services since it was repainted with its new livery.
After arriving at the Wensleydale Railway in November last year, work started on repairing the bodywork, followed by repainting earlier this year into a new red ‘Rail Express Systems’ (RES) livery.
The official unveiling of 47714 at the railway’s annual model railway show, held on 10th and 11th May.
The Rail Express System was launched by British Rail in 1991, principally for transporting mail and parcels, including the travelling post office trains, and also for operating the Royal Train and charter train operations, which were previously the responsibility of InterCity.
The static buffet car coach at Leeming Bar will be serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and sandwiches, and souvenirs, whilst refreshments will also be available at Bedale Station and in the tearoom at Leyburn Station where, as well as hot and cold drinks, snacks, and confectionery, volunteer Mandy will have her world-famous cakes on sale.
The station gift shop will also be open, selling a wide selection of railway books, memorabilia, and gifts.
“we revealed the new livery of our class 47 diesel locomotive to visitors at our recent model railway show. The RES livery choice has proven very popular with railway enthusiasts and our home fleet diesel gala will be the first time that they can see this classic diesel locomotive operating on our railway and take a trip being it. Come and join us for 3 days of diesel action behind 3 classic heritage diesel locos!”
Nick Keegan, Wensleydale Railway Marketing and Fundraising Manager