Howdy! More of a personal post from me. I went to the Nene Valley Railway Diesel Gala on Saturday as someone who's a Diet Railfan, and it was awesome! I went as myself, not as a rep of Dovetail. But we did have a couple of people come to speak to us (myself, Jamie and Nick all from Dovetail) which was lovely. If you were one of those people - hello! I've had my eye on galas for a while, but I'm more of a diesel fan than steam or electric. This gala in particular jumped out at me because there was a Class 66 hauling passenger cars over the event. There was also driver for a fiver which was incredible fun. We got some videos, I posted them on my personal socials but hoping to see if Dovetail socials can make use of anything. But the most exciting thing (for me) happened! I was talking to the GB Freightrail driver for the Class 66, who was a lovely soul and didn't immediately run in the opposite direction when I started yapping his ear off about how much I love the Class 66. He asked if I'd like to see the inside of the cab! I tried to play it cool but honestly, as soon as I got in there, I turned to him and said "THIS IS LIKE MEETING A CELEBRITY!" (Don't tell Walton Goggins who I met at the Fallout Premiere last year that sitting in the cab of a Class 66 is akin to meeting him) The gang that was with me actually ended up missing going on the HST just so they could grab some photos and make sure I got on ok. Climbing the ladders and getting into the cab, and having the driver talk to me about all the controls... a dream. I was so excited. Anyway. I'll probably be seeing you at diesel galas in future, especially if they're showing a shed! Maybe Jamie can convince me to go to a steam gala one day... (This is my genuine reaction of joy to being in the cab. I was freaking out in the best possible way)
NVR is next door to where I grew up. They filmed a few james bond films there, such as goldeneye and octopussy. GBRF also get involved with a few galas there also if you fancy it again.
Just don't mention your two SPADs and an overshoot on the resume Honestly, glad to see that you folks had fun !
Glad you have a fun experience, Harry. Always good to see the team out and about! Not enough Shed fans out there to be honest. (Or at least admitting it in public)
I quite like a shed myself, though more to do with all the different liveries than the actual loco. Have you seen Matt's Class 66 Controllers yet? Makes driving them in TSW a lot more fun.
One of us! One of us!.. DTG Harry I would always recommend the Severn Valley Railway's Spring Diesel Festival. Whilst a 66 is not a always guarenteed, it is still a brilliant gala for a diesel buff (this year's gala will feature a BR Class 59 so techinally a shed will be present). They always go above and beyond with visiting locomotives so you will get a mix of modern and heritage traction - where else will you see a Class 35 'Hymek' & a Class 55 'Deltic' run alongside a Class 67 and Class 59? This year's SDF takes place May 15th - May 17th with a preview day on May 14th
DTG Harry what is a Diet Railfan, I've never heard the phrase before? Anyway. I'm glad you experienced the excitement of the day. Trains are a lot of fun. Thanks for posting.
I think diet railfan would imply you had too much of trains and need to 'cut back." While a "light rail fan" would be someone who is obsessed with city trams in particular ;-)
