March 19th 2018

Following yesyerday's news that Class 40 no 40135 will not be ready to travel to us in time for the event as planned, due to ongoing bogie repair work, we are pleased to announce Class 20s nos 20007/20142 to replace the 40 at the event. These kindly supplied by Michael Owen. We expect to add a further 4 visiting locomotives to the line up in coming weeks.

Gus Dunster

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March 18th 2018

The boiler for 40135 successfully passed its hydraulic test in the presence of the inspector on March 16th in readiness for the loco’s hire to the SVR, which will now commence a little later than planned (July) to allow for further preventative maintenance to be completed.

CFPS

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March 1st 2018 - PR: Have you ever wanted to drive a modern diesel locomotive?

Working in partnership with GB Railfreight (GBRf), the Severn Valley Railway is excited to announce a number of exclusive Footplate Experience days using modern diesel locomotives.

Operating in June 2018, you could have the chance to take the controls of a modern diesel locomotive, hauling a carriages or freight vehicles for 16 miles.

Believed to be a world first, members of the public will be able to drive a Class 66 or Class 73/1 locomotive along the whole length of the Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth on June 4th or 5th.

Priced at £875 per person, all proceeds will go to GBRf’s chosen charity for 2018 and the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust.

The Class 66 will haul a heavy train of hopper wagons, with the chance to ride in a shark brake-van too, whilst the Class 73/1 will haul carriages, a sight rarely seen. The whole day Experience also includes a tour of the Railway’s award-winning Diesel Depot at Kidderminster.

The Class 66, first introduced to Britain’s railways in 1998, is the backbone of modern freight operations throughout the country, and has a whopping 3,000bhp engine. The Class 73/1s can normally be found on engineering trains in the south-east, and very rarely operate passenger trains.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to realise a lifelong ambition!

For more information or to book, visit svr.co.uk/drive-a-train or call 01562 757900.

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February 12th 2018

Being announced today are:

• 66704 (TBC): GM/EMD Class 66 courtesy of GBRf

• 731xx: BR Class 73 electro-diesel courtesy of GBRf

• 47292: Brush Class 47 courtesy of Great Central Railway, Nottingham 

Guests previously announced are:

• 33108: BRCW Class 33 courtesy of Class 33/1 Preservation Company (attended the Spring Diesel Festival in 2017, following which it remained at the SVR for an extended stay)

• 37688: BR Class 37 Co-Co (expected one-year hire from January 2018, for P Way and other engineering trains), courtesy of D05 Preservation Ltd and the Mid Norfolk Railway

• 40135: BR Class 40 (one-year hire from May 2018) courtesy of the Class 40 Preservation Society

• D832 Onslaught: BR Class 42 'Warship' B-B courtesy of the Bury Hydraulic Group and the East Lancashire Railway

• 45060 Sherwood Forester: BR Class 46 courtesy of Pioneer Diesel Locomotive Group.

• 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier: E.E. Class 55 'Deltic' Co-Co courtesy of the Deltic Preservation Society

• 56097: Brush/BR Class 56 courtesy of the Great Central Railway, Nottingham

• 88xxx: Stadler Class 88 courtesy of Direct Rail Services

 

January 13th 2018

Another big blue beast is heading to us in May for our Spring Diesel Festival, this time in the shape of Class 40 No. 40135!

Starring alongside our fantastic array of other locomotives planned to be in action at the gala, the engine will become a familiar face on Severn Valley metals over the next two years.

This locomotive, which has working steam heating equipment, will be visiting us for the 2018/19 season, featuring on our winter services due to its ability heat our coaching stock.

The 'Whistler' will operate a number of Diesel Footplate Experiences too on July 9th, and August 19th and 20th.

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January 10th 2018

We can now announce a further Diesel Festival visitor: Class 45 no 45060 Sherwood Forester paying a return visit. The loco is owned by Pioneer Diesel Locomotive Group. The loco will also be available for Driver Footplate Experience on May 23rd. 

We are also pleased to announce Class 37 no. 37688, owned by D05 Preservation Ltd. After receiving many requests for another Class 37 to visit we are sure this will be a popular choice. The locomotive should hopefully arrive here in the next few weeks.

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December 26th 2017

We are delighted to announce a further visitor to the 2018 Spring Diesel Festival in the shape of ‘Warship’ D832 ‘Onslaught’ courtesy of the Bury Hydraulic Group at the East Lancashire Railway. This gives us the tantalising opportunity of seeing the only two surviving Warships operating together at the event as SVR based D821 ‘Greyhound’ should also hopefully be in action too. We can’t wait!

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November 22nd 2017

We're thrilled to announce our first visiting locomotive for our Spring Diesel Festival!

Class 55 'Deltic' No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier returns to the Railway for the event from May 17 - 19. The engine will also operate a number of Diesel Footplate Experiences on May 14, 15 & 22: svr.co.uk/drive-a-train.

With thanks to The Deltic Preservation Society, the big blue locomotive is sure to be a star attraction...

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Visiting 33108 will also be attending this gala.