THE SEVERN Valley Railway’s annual Autumn Diesel Gala has been praised as ‘nothing but brilliant’, writes Neil Gordon.
The event was held over four days last weekend, with ten Class 37 English Electric diesel locomotives hauling services between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth to the delight of 4,100 visitors.
The annual October event usually comprises a range of different classes of revenue-earning and preserved locomotives. However, this year’s event celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Class 37 entering British Rail service.
Preserved 37250 brings a service in to Kidderminster on the last day of the gala. Picture by Neil Gordon Media.
A spokesperson for the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) said: “One enthusiast, who’d travelled from Cornwall to be at the event, wrote to us saying: ‘From start to finish it has been nothing but brilliant, with plenty of awesome English Electric music on tap’.”
The class 37 locomotive continues to be hugely popular with rail enthusiasts. Picture by Neil Gordon Media.
Some of the locomotives in attendance were from other preserved railways, including 37250 and D6948 (37248), while other engines, including 37501 and 37518, are still in mainline revenue-earning service.
Meanwhile, the SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster acknowledged the support received in organising the event.
In British Rail green livery, 37248 sports its original D6948 number. Picture by Neil Gordon Media.
He said: “We’re incredibly grateful to many individuals and organisations that have provided locomotives for this event.
“I want to thank West Coast Railways, Europhoenix Rail Ltd, Rail Operations Group, The Growler Group, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, the Wensleydale Railway, Loram, John Harris, Steve Beniston, Vince Minto and Kevin Jones.
Ten class 37 locomotives participated in the four day Autumn Diesel Gala. Picture by Neil Gordon Media.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to the dedication and professionalism of our team across our railway itself for planning and delivering another outstanding event.
“It’s been operationally and commercially successful and feedback from our visitors has been great.”
