A matching pair of guests are to join the line-up at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival. Colas have agreed to send two of their Class 56s to appear at the four-day event between 15 and 18 May.

They join the already-confirmed visitor list, which includes a pair of HST power cars from Rail Adventure and Class 66 and Class 70 locomotives from Freightliner. The extensive SVR home fleet will feature examples of Classes 17, 20, 33, 37, 40, 42, 50 and 52.

‘We’re very lucky indeed to have such strong support from our main line colleagues,’ said the SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster. ‘We work closely with a number of rail companies, including Colas, to provide testing and training facilities at our line.

It’s going to be wonderful to host two Colas freight locos at our Spring enthusiast event, where we showcase the best of both modern and heritage diesel traction. We’re expecting Nos 56090 and 56094 to visit, but of course, as always, everything is subject to availability.

‘This year we’re operating on the 12 miles of line between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade, because Bridgnorth is still cut off following the landslip in January. However, with one or two more guest announcements still to come, we can guarantee plenty of ‘thrash’ with an intensive timetable, including late services on the Friday and Saturday evenings.’

At Kidderminster, tours of the Traction Maintenance Department and the Carriage Shed are bookable on the day, at the Fifty Fund stand on the station concourse.

There’s more information and an event timetable at svr.co.uk