Class 26 No. 26007 added to Summer Diesel Festival Line-up

We are pleased to announce our third visiting locomotive for our Summer Diesel Festival and additional Mixed Traction Day, taking place between Thursday 4th and Sunday 7th of June 2026.

Class 26 No. 26007, courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz, will be making its debut at the West Somerset Railway, alongside previously announced Class 37 No. 37250 and Class 47 No. 47714.

Originally numbered D5300, 26007 was the first of the Class 26 diesel locomotives, built in 1958 by the Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company.

It was initially based at Hornsey Depot, working on King's Cross suburban duties before being transferred to Scotland two years later, where it remained until its withdrawal in 1993.

Notably, in 1992, in celebration of the conclusion of the class, 26007 was repainted into a 1960s-style British Rail green livery, complete with small yellow warning panels.

Its final duties encompassed hauling condemned DMUs and operating on the Kyle of Lochalsh line. Following its withdrawal, the locomotive was preserved and is now owned by Victor Korzeniewicz, typically residing at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Derbyshire.

The locomotive is currently painted in a two-tone grey Railfreight Coal Sector livery.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Victor for facilitating the presence of this extraordinary locomotive at our Diesel festival.

Our Summer Diesel Festival will feature a wide variety of Diesel traction with something for everyone. An intensive timetable will be in operation and with lots of things to see and do - an event not to be overlooked!

Planning continues, with further details to be announced soon.

You can pre-book tickets in advance (with pre-book discount), via our website here: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/view/summer-diesel-festival-2026