May: The month of big-hitter events!
IN THE heritage diesel calendar, May has earned its place as the stand-out month for events, with both the Swanage Railway and Severn Valley Railway’s main diesel enthusiast events gaining strong reputations as occasions not to be missed.
The Swanage Railway Diesel Gala takes place on May 10-12, when a wide range of visiting traction will head to the Isle of Purbeck to join resident Class 33 locomotives D6515 Lt Jenny Lewis RN and 33111.
Taking to the Norden to Swanage heritage line will be a GB Railfreight Class 69, 20302 and 20311 courtesy of Harry Needle Railroad Company, a locomotive from Colas Rail Freight (a Class 37 has been requested by the event organisers), Class 24 D5054 Phil Southern from the Bury Type Two Group, privately-owned 50021 Rodney and the Diesel Traction Group’s main line-registered Class 52 D1015 Western Champion.
As usual, the railway will hold a preview day on May 9 in advance of the main event, at which 33111 and D1015 are expected to be in use alongside one of the Swanage Railway’s resident steam locomotives. Further details can be found at www. swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/diesel-gala
At the Severn Valley Railway, the 2024 line-up for its annual Spring Diesel Festival was always going to be compared against the unprecedented roster of last year’s visiting traction. However, fears that the 2023 event line-up could not be surpassed can be firmly laid to rest, for joining the SVR for the four-day marathon on May 16-19 is another enviable portfolio. Attending will be 37409 Loch Awe and a rake of coaching stock supplied by Locomotive Services Group, a pair of Railadventure Class 43 buffer-fitted high speed train power cars, a Class 59 and Class 70 courtesy of Freightliner, 69009 Western Consort and 73119 Paul Taylor from GB Railfreight, another Class 70 from the Colas Rail Freight fleet, a Class 57/3 from Direct Rail Services, and Michael Owen is sending a pair of his main line-registered Class 20s, from 20007, 20142/189 and 20205. Privately-owned 37263 and the Peak Locomotive Company’s Class 46 D182 are still on long-term visits to the SVR, and both are also expected to be in use throughout.
Home fleet SVR diesel locomotives in the line-up are Class 14 D9551, Class 17 D8568, 33108, 40106 Atlantic Conveyor, D821 Greyhound, 50035 Ark Royal, Class 52s D1015 Western Champion and D1062 Western Courier, and the resident three-coach Class 108 DMU.
Further details can be found at https://svr.co.uk/event/spring-diesel-festival/
The Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway is holding a diesel event on May 24-26, featuring the return to service of 26038 Tom Clift following a comprehensive overhaul and repaint into BR blue. Additionally, the Scottish Railway Preservation Society’s 37403 Isle of Mull will be in service, while visiting locomotives are also set to feature, with a GB Railfreight Class 66 expected to be included, along with other possible visitors which had not been announced as this issue was being prepared. More information should be available at www.bkrailway.co.uk/events
The end of the month will see the Mid-norfolk Railway host its Spring Diesel Gala, but no further details on locomotives taking part and other attractions were available as this issue closed for press. The web page for the MNR diesel event, which should include further information, can be found at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk