THE SEVERN Valley Railway’s annual spring diesel gala has been hailed a success after 3,600 people attended the four-day event last weekend, writes Neil Gordon.
Several mainline train companies supported the gala by sending locomotives to operate services on the 12 miles of line between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade, along with home-based preserved engines.
Freightliner locomotive 66509 was named ‘Freightliner Retirement Association’ at the Diesel Gala. Picture Neil Gordon Media.
Event sponsors Colas, GBRf, Freightliner, West Coast Railways, Rail Adventure and Locomotive Services provided engines including classes’ 37, 56, 57, 66, 69, 70, plus a pair of Inter City power cars.
Meanwhile, home-based locomotives used to haul services between Thursday and last Sunday included classes’ 20, 33, 37, 40, 42, 46, 50, 52 and 58.
The railway’s diesel shed at Kidderminster and Engine House at Highley were also open, while visiting locomotive 66509 was named ‘Freightliner Retirement Association’ at Kidderminster to commemorate the association’s 40th anniversary.
Home-based preserved class 50, 50049, also worked at the gala. Picture Neil Gordon Media.
The Severn Valley Railway’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, said: “Our spring diesel event is always about gathering together examples of the best heritage and modern diesel traction.
“We’re very lucky to have such strong support from our mainline colleagues.
“This year we operated on the 12 miles of line between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade because Bridgnorth is still cut-off following the landslip in January.”
And a poignant ceremony was held on Saturday when home-based locomotive number 50033 ‘Glorious’ was rededicated to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the tragic sinking of HMS Glorious in the Second World War with the loss of over 1,200 crew.
The new nameplate on locomotive 66509. Picture Neil Gordon Media.
The Severn Valley Railway celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with other events including Step Back to the 1940s, Railway 200, Swinging Sixties, plus autumn diesel and steam galas.
Click here for more on all the Severn Valley Railway events.
