Three modern freight locomotives to join the SVR’s Spring Diesel Festival

The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has said that, subject to availability, three modern freight locos will join Class 44 ‘Great Gable’ and Class 46 46045 at May’s Spring Diesel Festival.

The event, which goes ahead on 19-22 May features a range of SVR-based traction together with three engines that usually work on the main line but are visiting courtesy of Direct Rail Services, DB Cargo and GBRf.

It is yet to be finalised exactly which locomotives are attending, 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.

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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.

Thanks to DB Cargo, a Class 67 will be making its first visit to an SVR Gala-style event.

Direct Rail Services has said it will make either a Class 66 or a Class 68 available – 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.

The railway hopes it can announce two further visiting locos in due course.

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!”

The Diesel Festival follows a busy start to the season for the SVR, which has seen over 7,000 visitors joining the railway for its Spring Steam Gala in April.

Tickets for the May 19th – 22nd Spring Diesel Festival can be pre-booked online, with savings made against on-the-day prices. Multi-day rovers are also available, offering further savings.

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