Severn Valley plans big diesel event for May

THE Severn Valley Railway has announced a ‘special event of epic proportions’ for May 13-16.

The Spring Diesel Bash will be the largest operation of diesel locos at the SVR since 2019.

Extensive planning has gone into coordinating a safe event, enabling enthusiasts to travel 100 miles each day behind their favourite loco classes, and there will be plenty to choose from.

Visitors will select one of four train sets, each running three round trips. Train 1 will be hauled by Class 50s, while the others will be headed by combinations of locos including Classes 42 and 52, Sulzers and English Electrics. Two visiting locos are expected, for which details will be announced shortly.

In addition to the round trips, shuttle services are scheduled between Kidderminster and Bewdley, hauled by Class 14 No. D9551 and Class 17 No. D8568 making its debut in BR blue.

To avoid overcrowding and to maintain visitor safety in line with pandemic guidance, passengers will be allocated a timed opportunity to alight at Highley to visit The Engine House museum. Passengers will be able to leave their train at Bridgnorth and Kidderminster to make use of the station facilities.

Pre-booking a chosen service is essential as tickets are limited.

Compartments are available for households of four to six, while tables are available for bookings of one or two. Travel is free for children under four who do not take up a seat. Passengers are unable to change trains and will be required to use their reserved seats throughout the day.

Helen Smith, the railway’s general manager, said the SVR has worked hard to put together an event which protects visitors, and every care is being taken to ensure they operate in a Covidsecure way.

This includes reserved seating, complimentary hand sanitiser and distancing measures on platforms. Practices are based on experience and passenger feedback from last year, so visitors can relax and enjoy their day knowing their safety is being looked after.

To ensure passengers can book with confidence, every ticket sold is backed with a

Covid Guarantee, so that ticket holders can transfer to an equivalent event on a later date or receive a full refund.

Tickets for the Class 50-hauled trains only went on sale on February 12 at www.svr.co.uk. Alternatively, call 01562 757900 to book.

Ticket availability for the other trains will be announced on the SVR’s social media platforms and website.

MARTYN TATTAM A snowy end to Severn Valley’s 2020 season: With snow on the ground on the afternoon of December 30, ‘Warship’ No. D821 Greyhound sends up plumes of exhausts by the turntable at Kidderminster TMD. The ‘Warship’ was being ‘prepped’ for what would have been its last run of 2020. The county of Shropshire was placed into Covid-19 Tier 3 the following day, and the rest of the operating season’s services were cancelled. On the left is Class 40 No. 40106 Atlantic Conveyor.