After another successful year of diesel operation on the South Devon Railway, the 2008 season concludes with the now traditional diesel gala held to raise funds to assist with the restoration to working order of Class 09 D3666 (09 002).

This is the fifth year the fundraising gala, nicknamed Gronk Aid, has operated, and is once again be organised by the SDR's two resident diesel groups, The Devon Diesel Society, and South Devon Diesel Traction.

The event returns to being a two-day gala this year, and in a change from previous years, will take place on a Friday and Saturday.

The Friday will have a distinct 1960's feel with Class 37 D6737, Class 25 D7612 and the three-car Class 127 / 115 Diesel Multiple Unit in operation. The Class 37 will work no fewer than eight round trips, the first departing from Buckfastleigh at 10.00. This will provide admirers of this popular class the chance to travel in excess of 100 miles behind D6737 in a single day. The D.M.U will make two-round trips over the full length of the line under its own power, whilst D7612 will be gainfully employed working a demonstration engineers train. The Class 37 hauled services will feature an on-train real ale bar, operated by members of the Devon Diesel Society, and serving a selection of cask ale, together with the Society's own branded bottled ales, brewed for them by Red Rock Brewery. There will also be an on-train sales stand.

On the Saturday, services begin an hour earlier and will see no fewer than 13 departures throughout the day. It will be the turn of Class 25 D7612 to operate an increased diagram, working seven round trips during the day and providing nearly 100 miles of Sulzer haulage. The 25 will haul the main passenger set, and this will again include the Real Ale bar. A second passenger train will also be in operation. This will be formed of the three-car Class 127 / 115 D.M.U as hauled stock. Motive power will be from the English Electric stable and feature both Class 20's, 20 110 and 20 118, together with Class 37 D6737. The 20's will work a total of four round trips and will appear both as a pair, and in top'n'tail mode. The 37 will work just two round trips, although it will pilot D7612 on the final leg of its last trip between Staverton and Buckfastleigh. It is planned to have a small bar located on the D.M.U set serving the Devon Diesel Society's branded bottles ales.

Profits from the ticket revenue will once again go towards the restoration of the South Devon Railway Trust owned D3666 (09 002). The loco will be viewable at Buckfastleigh throughout the gala.

The gala will also see the Devon Diesel Society launch its new Class 50 Appeal. This aims to raise funds to complete the restoration and repair work on D402 (50 002 Superb). Work is already underway to return the loco to working order, however capital is still required to fund the complete overhaul of the power unit. At Buckfastleigh Class 33, 33 002 Seaking will be on display. The loco is now very near to the end of a major restoration and is expected to enter traffic in 2009. D402 will also be at Buckfastleigh, and subject to progress on the body overhaul, may be pulled outside of its shed to allow better photo opportunities.

Featured locomotives will be:
• Class 20’s 20110 and 20118, Class 25 D7612
• Class 37 D6737, Class 127 D.M.U