GB Railfreight Class 56 confirmed for SVR Autumn Diesel Bash

The Severn Valley Railway will welcome a GB Railfreight (GBRf) Class 56 from the main line to its Autumn Diesel Bash.

With the entire GBRf Class 56 fleet due to be converted into Class 69s fairly soon, this may be the final opportunity for passengers to experience a journey behind one of these locomotives. The first converted Class 69 was tested at the SVR on behalf of GBRf last year.

The Class 56 will be joined by Deltic 55009 ‘Alycidon’ as guests get set to light up the event, which takes places from 29 September – 2 October.

Although a specific numbered locomotive hasn’t yet been rostered, the chosen Class 56 will only run on the Saturday and Sunday of the event.

Alongside the guests, the SVR will be using a selection of its home fleet including Class 50s, Class 52s, Class 40, Class 14 Teddy Bear and Class 20 No 20048, which is currently residing at the railway.

Class 31 No 31466, which visited during the Autumn Diesel Gala in 2021 and has since remained at the SVR, will also be on the roster, as well as Class 46 No. D182 which arrived for the Spring Diesel Festival and has stayed for an extended period.

Gus Dunster, SVR deputy chairman, said: “We’re grateful to GBRf for their support with our event and are looking forward to seeing a Class 56 run on the SVR.

“We’ve got a fantastic line-up ready to impress passengers and rack up those all-important diesel miles before the end of the year.”

Before its starring role at the Autumn Diesel Bash, ‘Alycidon’ is set to host diesel footplate experiences at the railway, with a large number of places already sold.

Tickets for the Autumn Diesel Bash are available at svr.co.uk or by calling 01562 757 900. Footplate experiences can be booked by phone on the same number.

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