Was there a Didcot Diesel Gala in October / November 1987 - Answered

[Stentor]

I've been scanning some old negatives and found some I believe were taken at Didcot Railway Centre.

On the film they follow on from Ripple Lane open day which was 17th October 1987.

However I cannot find any references to this event using my idea of what to search for using Google.

Can anybody please shed any light on this - the event not my searching abilities?

Was there a diesel gala in late 1987, possibly to celebrate Didcot's 30th anniversary or was it just a normal weekend?

Thanks for any information.

//Simon

Edited June 3, 2020 by Stentor
Title amended

[FraserClarke]

It's certainly Didcot.  Long before my time, but none of the diesels are locals so probably a gala.  The steam engine is I presume 3822. It's just coming up the ladder and past the end of the coaling road. You can see one of the cooling towers of Didcot A (recently demolished) on the far right.

 

You could try asking on the GWS Didcot facebook page? Someone on there would know I'm sure.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/6230720903/  (it's a private group so you have to join it first I think). 

[Steamport Southport]

ISTR it might have been something to do with Foster Yeoman and the introduction of the Class 59s.

 

D7018 was a Didcot resident at the time.

 

 

 

Jason

[298]

On 08/05/2020 at 16:28, Steamport Southport said:

ISTR it might have been something to do with Foster Yeoman and the introduction of the Class 59s.

 

 

That's why they sent a clean one....

 

24th October 1987 sounds familiar, I remember 50007 and 47406 passing on the avoider with service trains, and a model of of 50149 in triple grey on one of the stands only about a week after it appeared in the press.

[Rivercider]

There are a number of photos posted on Flickr taken at Didcot on Saturday 24th October 1987,

 

cheers

[jonny777]

Yes Kevin, and this one shows 59001 on that date. 

 

 

 

Apparently, it was also an Ian Allan Day at Waterloo, 

 

 

[Stentor]

Thanks to everyone who responded especially 298, Rivercider and Jonny777 who have given me the date of 24th October 1987, I’ll amend my scanned photos accordingly.

 

//Simon 

[mcjlf1]

IIRC this was a pre-advertised "Diesel Day".  Attached are a few of my poor Instamatic pics...  October '87 rings a bell. 

 

I recall being in the driver's seat of the 59 when it was moved a few feet (being driven from the other end).  As an 11 year old, that was probably the highlight of my year!

 

 

[Halvarras]

It certainly happened, I was there too! I have the photos somewhere, not scanned yet.......

 

2 hours ago, mcjlf1 said:

October '87 rings a bell. 

 

Probably the one hanging on 59001! 

 

(Sorry, just had to........OK OK, I'm leaving now........)

[CloggyDog]

Yup, I was there too

 

 

 

 

I'd need to go though the large box of unscanned pics, as I know there are more from that day. 

 

 

 

[The Pilotman]

I was there too but my photos are almost identical to those already posted. 

[Halvarras]

Mine too, come to think of it. Limited shooting angles!

[didcot]

I remember Castle Aid. As shown on the board in the photo of D335. I left school in 87 and four of us who were teenager members at the time entered the Pump Trolley marathon on the branchline to raise money for 5051's purchase. 

[astropsidings]

I’ve only just seen this thread….It was 24th October 1987.

 

I posted a picture on the Class 59 thread (page 7, 19 Nov 20),

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/81788-the-class-59s/&do=findComment&comment=41982

 

 

Ian

 

Edited September 14, 2021 by astropsidings