ITG / DCDR Diesel Gala 2026

[MD220]

Tickets are now available for this summer's ITG gala at the DCDR. 

https://www.downrail.co.uk/event/diesel-gala/

Edited April 28 by MD220

[IrishTrainScenes]

Booked!

Edited April 30 by IrishTrainScenes

[Niles]

For anyone travelling from Dublin or Dublin Airport, Táilte Tours will be running a connecting bus: https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/bus-to-downpatrick-diesel-gala-29th-august-2026 https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/bus-to-downpatrick-diesel-gala-29th-august-2026

Edited May 2 by Niles

[IrishTrainScenes]

Tickets sold out - Looking forward to it

[IrishTrainScenes]

Just one week to go!

[GSWR 90]

Rumour has it that if you ask the guard very nicely, he’ll sell you one of these enamel badges – all funds are donated to the ITG 

[IrishTrainScenes]

Absolutely cracker day - well done to all involved!

On 28/8/2026 at 9:21 AM, GSWR 90 said:

Rumour has it that if you ask the guard very nicely, he’ll sell you one of these enamel badges – all funds are donated to the ITG 

I forgot to ask

[Mol_PMB]

Agreed, very many thanks to all that made this happen! Really good to see 190 in use. 
 

[Mol_PMB]

Although an 80 class set was running we didn’t get a chance to ride in it. Maybe next year? 
 

[Signal Post]

A great day out, many thanks too all involved in DCDR and ITG for making this event happpen.

[Mol_PMB]

10 minutes ago, Signal Post said:

A great day out, many thanks too all involved in DCDR and ITG for making this event happpen.

Great to see you again! 
and all the other forum members who visited the DCDR today. 
I am looking forward to getting behind the scenes tomorrow. 
I’m sure there are some things here that IRM need to point their 3D scanner at…

[flange lubricator]

1 hour ago, Mol_PMB said:

Great to see you again! 
and all the other forum members who visited the DCDR today. 
I am looking forward to getting behind the scenes tomorrow. 
I’m sure there are some things here that IRM need to point their 3D scanner at…

Great to see you and chat to you again Paul and to see the GS&WR  50’ coach in the flesh is amazing .

[jhb171achill]

5 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

Although an 80 class set was running we didn’t get a chance to ride in it. 

Be careful what you wish for!

Commuting in those things, the centre cars and trailers were great, if bland; but I saw innocent people’s eyeball sockets in their laps when in an accelerating vvviiibbbrrraaatttiiinnngggg ppoowweerr car…..

[Mol_PMB]

7 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Be careful what you wish for!

Commuting in those things, the centre cars and trailers were great, if bland; but I saw innocent people’s eyeball sockets in their laps when in an accelerating vvviiibbbrrraaatttiiinnngggg ppoowweerr car…..

Been there, done that, sitting against the engine room partition while a 6-car set tried to match 201+DeDietrich timings. The train was full and standing too, so no space available in a trailer car. 
By Drogheda I’d had enough!
 

[airfixfan]

My highest speed in an 80 Class was 98mph approaching Dundalk from Newry from a fearless driver!

[Mol_PMB]

Thanks to @GSWR 90 I’ve had a wonderful follow-up day behind the scenes too. 
A close inspection of the AEC railcar (fascinating to look at up close) and all the other rolling stock, a walk round the triangle, and some lengthy technical discussions on many varied and interesting topics. 
Next time I think I’ll need to bring my overalls! 
 

Here’s another shot of 840 and 836, both made in Manchester:

And of course there were some discussions about liveries…

For those of you looking for the newly-acquired wagons, they were hiding:

[Signal Post]

Glad to hear you had a great day. Lots of shades of green in there!

[AllThingsDiesel]

 

[jhb171achill]

Táilte Tours brought a group of 25 from Dublin and England. 

Allthingsdiesel, I apologise for sticking my ugly mug in front of your camera so many times when in the guard's compartment in BCDR coach 72; I thought I was clear of it!

[jhb171achill]

Edited 8 hours ago by jhb171achill