We've listened to the many diesel enthusiasts who said our previous three-day 'Big Diesel Thrashes' were much missed… and so we've set the date for a reintroduction in 2025! The event will take place over three days, from Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April.

We have four big classic diesel locomotives visiting the railway, joined by our resident Class 37, 37227, providing traction across the event.

Class 50 Thunderer No. 50008, courtesy of Hanson & Hall
Peak No. 45108, courtesy of the Peak Locomotive Company
Class 50 Valiant No. 50015, courtesy of the Bury Valiant Group
Class 31 No. 31108, courtesy of A1A Locomotives Limited
It’s heavy haulage at its best! With gradients like our 1 in 68 Chinnor Bank—plus others, such as Bledlow Cutting and the 1 in 100 from Thame Junction into Princes Risborough—this will be a truly intensive, three-day big diesel thrash!

There will also be one-way cab rides available for a supplementary fare—watch this space...

DAY ROVERS:
Tickets are on sale below and can be purchased online at any time until 18:00 on the day before travel. Understandably, we’ve had to adjust our prices slightly to at least cover our costs—though every £1 of profit we make will go towards keeping our trains running throughout the year. We know you'll understand the large costs involved in making this event happen, and we sincerely appreciate your support. We hope you'll join us for this event and others in the future!

ONLINE PRICES:
Adult tickets are generally cheaper when bought online rather than at stations (please note a £2 agency fee applies per online transaction). Also, 2-day and 3-day tickets are only available for purchase online.

Adult 1-day Rover (online only): £20.00
Child (accompanied, 3-15 yrs): £5
Adult 2-day Rover (online only): £30.00
Child (accompanied, 3-15 yrs): £10
Adult 3-day Rover (online only): £40.00
Child (accompanied, 3-15 yrs): £15
All online bookings close at 18:00 on the day before travel.

STATION PRICES:
Only 1-day Rover tickets are available for purchase at stations on the day.

Adult 1-day Rover: £25
Child (accompanied, 3-15 yrs): £5
COME BY CAR OR BY TRAIN:
You can join our trains at either Chinnor (where free car parking is available) or Princes Risborough, which connects with Chiltern Railways services.

FOOD & DRINK:
The Station Café at Chinnor serves tea, coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water. A selection of freshly made sandwiches and baps is available, along with hot sausage rolls, pasties, homemade cakes, biscuits, crisps, and more.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Big Diesel Gala without ale! We’ll have a range of ales at pub prices, as well as our own bottle-conditioned ales for sale.