The Spa Valley Railway’s Summer Diesel Gala took place over the weekend of 3^rd – 5^th August 2018 and featured the following locomotives;

• Class 10 D3489 'Colonel Tomline'
• Class 17 D8568 – Courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group/Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
• Class 25 D7612 – Courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction
• Class 33/0 33063 'R.J.Mitchell'
• Class 33/2 33201
• Class 55 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' – Courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society
• Class 73 73140
• Class 207 DEMU 1317

The popular three-day Summer Diesel Gala, commenced at 08:30 on Friday 3rd August with a variety of locomotives in action over the event including the visit of a 'Deltic', the unique Class 17 'Clayton' and the return of an extremely popular Class 25, D7612.

Courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society Class 55 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' starred in the Summer Diesel Gala alongside the home fleet and other visiting locomotives

Joining the Deltic was the very unique Class 17 'Clayton' D8568 courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group and also visiting from its usual home at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. The only remaining member of the once 117 strong Clayton Type 1's made its first visit to Kent, whilst visiting D8568 was also available for Clayton Driver Experience.

Making its third return to the Spa Valley was the South Devon Diesel Tractions popular Sulzer Type 2 D7612. This Class 25 previously visited the line in 2007 and 2015, each time gaining many fans. The locomotive returned to Kent and Sussex for another three-month holiday and was loaned out until October's Beer Festival before returning home to its South Devon Railway home.

Highlight of the visit for me was a brake van ride behind Deltic 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells – something I’d not experienced before!