Modern main line locos heading to spring gala
A TRIO of modern freight locomotives are set to join Class 44 Great Gable and Class 46 46045 at the Spring Diesel Festival on the Severn Valley Railway later this month.
The event runs May 19-22 and features a variety of Svr-based traction alongside three engines that normally work on the main line, and which will visit courtesy of Direct Rail Services, DB Cargo and GBRF.
The exact locomotives are still to be decided, but the visitors will include a Class 66 or 68 locomotive from Direct Rail Services, a Class 67 locomotive from DB Cargo and a Class 69 from GBRF.
No 69001 was tested at the SVR back in 2021, and one of the fleet will return to the railway to haul its first passenger services during the Diesel Festival.
Courtesy of DB Cargo, a Class 67 will be making its first ever visit to an SVR gala event.
Direct Rail Services have agreed to make either a Class 66 or a Class 68 available for the event, neither of which has visited the SVR for several years.
The modern freight locomotives will be joined by a trio of Class 50s, a pair of Class 52s, Class 40 40106, Class 14 Teddy Bear and Class 17 Clayton, with the latter still sporting its blue livery.
Class 31 31466 remains at the SVR following its starring turn at the 2021 Autumn Diesel Bash and will work services during May’s Spring Diesel Festival.
Jonathan Dunster, Chairman of the SVR Diesels Committee and vice-chairman of the Severn Valley Railway said: “We have very strong relationships with a variety of main line companies and we’re thrilled that they are prepared to support our Spring Diesel Festival in this positive way.
“We’re particularly excited by the Class 69 returning to the railway after the support we were able to give GBRF both this year and last, as they brought locomotives to us for testing before service on the main line. It promises to be a bumper event!”
Tickets for the Spring Diesel Festival can be prebooked online at www.svr.co.uk