Two guest locomotives for Severn Valley’s spring diesel festival

The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has announced two guest locomotives that will be visiting for its Spring Diesel Festival in May.

BR Class 44 No. 44004 Great Gable (D4) and BR Class 46 46045 (D182) will visit for the event from 19th to 22nd May.

46045 is one of only three remaining members of the class, whilst D4 is one of only two surviving Class 44s.

46045 will be returning to the SVR for the first time since 2016, whilst this will be the first time since 1987 that Great Gable has visited the SVR, when it starred at the railway's first diesel gala.

The engines will be visiting the railway, courtesy of Peak Locomotive Co Ltd, which owns both D4 and D182. It will be a rare opportunity to see both engines other than at base at the Midland Railway – Butterly, in Derbyshire.

Alongside both Peaks, the SVR will be operating its fleet of Class 50s, Class 42s Warship Class Greyhound, Class 52s Western Champion and Western Courier, Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear' D9551, and Clayton Class 17 D8568.

As usual, the event will run in its traditional format, which allows passengers to hop-on-and-off at their leisure, switching between trains to ensure they clock up mileage. The SVR's catering outlets, pubs, and The Engine House will all be open throughout the event.

Alongside being the SVR's first diesel event of 2022, multi-day rovers will be available for the first time since 2019. These allow customers to book more than a single day in advance and save money against individual ticket prices. Tickets are available online now at svr.co.uk or by calling 01562 757 900. Passengers who pre-book can make a significant saving against on-the-day prices at booking offices.

Gus Dunster, chairman of the Severn Valley Railway Diesels Committee, said: “It's a real coup to get both D4 and D182 to visit the SVR for the Spring Diesel Festival. Each year the event gets bigger and we're really pleased that Peak Locomotive Co Ltd has entrusted us with both locos for the event.

“We expect to announce a further two more visiting heritage locomotives in the coming weeks as well as some modern freight locomotives, courtesy of some of the rail freight companies that the SVR works closely with.
“With a variety of motive power running the full length of the line across all four days, we're certain that every passenger will find plenty to see.”