The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has confirmed that it will host two Class 20 diesel electric locomotives at its forthcoming Spring Diesel Festival, which takes place between 16 and 19 May.<\/p>\n
The latest announcement adds to an ever-growing guest list for the event, which already includes two Rail Adventure power cars, Class 70s from both Colas and Freightliner, 73119 \u2018Paul Taylor\u2019 and 69009 \u2018Western Consort\u2019 from GB Railfreight, a Freightliner Class 59, 37409 \u2018Loch Awe\u2019 and Class 46 D182, as well as members of the SVR\u2019s home fleet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis really is an impressive and substantial line-up,\u201d said Jonathan \u2018Gus\u2019 Dunster, the SVR\u2019s managing director. \u201cWe\u2019re very grateful to Michael Owen, the owner of the Class 20s, for his support for our event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Class 20 is a popular locomotive, with plenty of followers, and has always been known for its versatility. First introduced in the late 50s as part of British Rail\u2019s replacement of steam traction, they were used for \u2018merry-go-round\u2019 trains, transporting coal to power stations, and saw service on secondary passenger traffic routes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking as a pair, they\u2019ll be ideal to haul full passenger trains at the Spring Diesel Festival, and we look forward to hearing their distinctive helicopter-like sound across the Valley, reminding us why they are nicknamed \u2018choppers\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n