SVR Spring Diesel Festival 19th-22nd May

First guests announced as 44004 (D4) and 46045 (D182).
https://www.svr.co.uk/whats-on/spring-diesel-festival/

 

D9009 announced as the third visitor.

 

"It is with much regret that we have had to advise the Severn Valley Railway that 55009 ALYCIDON will not be able to attend their Gala in May. We wish them every success with the event.
Unfortunately delays in the ongoing work on returning the loco to traffic has meant that the loco will have not accrued enough ‘mileage accumulation’ for us to feel comfortably about sending the loco away from its current home base at the Great Central Railway where we have the facility to do some high speed testing over the next few months. Subject to availability the loco WILL be taking part in the GCR Gala 29/30 April 1st May, all is looking good at the moment.
A plan has been presented to the SVR on how we could hopefully attend their Autumn Gala in October and fulfil the postponed Footplate Experience days, see next Fridays announcement 09:00 29th April for details of the plan. I offer my apologies to those who have booked. Both parties are working on this. If this comes to fruition it will give the DPS access to NRI where we can get our mainline testing done with assistance from the 50 Fund."

 

2 of 3 announcements so far today:
DRS will be loaning either a 66 or a 68
DBC will be loaning a 67

 

2 more guests hoped for

I wonder what air braked stock will be used?

 

Does DRS still have some air braked Mk2s?

 

Cl. 33 D6515 /33012 "Jenny Lewis" is announced as the last loco for the line up

 

timetable on website (but no loco allocations yet)

Neil

 

None

 

73107 and 73136 announced as visiting courtesy of GBRF.

 

Seems to be 69005,68017, 67006 are the hoped for 'modern' visitors as per released timetable - certainly a great line up. 67006 will be an interesting comparison to Taw Valley in their Royal liveries!

Looking to travel Friday and spend Saturday afternoon at Bewdley with my dad - any clue on catering provision at Bewdley these days?

 

I’ll ask my Dad if he’s doing breakfast in the Cafe next weekend.

 

Timetable with loco allocations available here:
https://www.svr.co.uk/wp-content/up...stival-2022-Timetable-and-Allocations-ALL.pdf

 

Locos 69.005 + 73.136 + 73.107 now en route to the SVR

0Z69Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to Kidderminster S.V.R.
Realtime Trains | 0Z69 0939 Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to Kidderminster S.V.R. | 19/05/2022

 

I spent the day at Kidderminster for the SVR Diesel gala
Just got home after a nightmare journey home 3 hours late due to track circuit failure at Crewe, late and cancelled WMR trains & Trans Pennine services
So just a few phone pics and videos till tomorrow

D1040 Western Queen (really D1062 renamed for Queens Jubilee bash)
https://tinyurl.com/mr43t4y8
4 videos (taken on my phone so sorry for poor quality when enlarged)
D1040
https://tinyurl.com/46abekm7
https://tinyurl.com/4mubs4bx

2 assorted ones
https://tinyurl.com/ysse3fsa
https://tinyurl.com/mr2s9mek

Neil

 

I spent the day at Kidderminster for the SVR Diesel gala
Seen here arriving at Kidderminster is the GBrF convoy for Friday-Saturday services at the gala
69005 Eastleigh with 73107 Tracy & 73136 Mhairi arrive at Kidderminster for Friday-Sunday workings at SVR Gala 19th May 2022
https://tinyurl.com/yvu97b8z
https://tinyurl.com/y8ce5vp9
73136 Mhairi & 73107 Tracy behind 69005 arrive at Kidderminster for Friday-Sunday workings at SVR Gala 19th May 2022
https://tinyurl.com/ys8mmebv

Neil

https://tinyurl.com/yvu97b8z

 

DB 67 no longer attending.

 

Excellent day today, trains seemed well loaded and the timetable worked in the main. It went a little adrift a little this afternoon due to the no show of the 69 (or rather its driver) on its lunchtime run. This meant some unscheduled swapping around, but the 69 ran its late afternoon turns. It looks interesting livery wise, but can't say it was that exciting to ride behind - I'm sure it performs well on a 2000t freight train though!

Most of the 20 mins deficit were recovered by this evening though, but the Bewdley shuttle was run out of sync for a couple of runs which led to a bit of confusion, including with the platform staff who seem to be in the dark as well!

All the locos seem to perform well, I tend to prefer the more classic diesels rather than the modern visitors. However, I especially enjoyed the 68 on its run to Bridgnorth this evening which played its part in recovering some lost time with some full boar accelerations away from stops and speed restrictions giving a glimpse of it capabilities*. I can see why this class is rapidly gaining a cult following - almost sounds as good as a 37!

The 33 looks like it has just rolled out of the works brand new too - stunning.

All in all looks another successful event for the SVR who are back doing what they do best - putting on brilliant galas!


*I timed one on a Chiltern service a few weeks ago, it did 0 to 100mph inside 3.5 miles with 6 carriages and a DVT - quite extraordinary acceleration. Today's run was understandably a little more subdued!!

 

68’s are absolute beasts! The love child between a Hymek and a Deltic! I could wax lyrical about them for ages, they really are decent pieces of kit. That’s a lovely photo of number 3 at Arley btw.