The Severn Valley Railway has added another locomotive to the guest line-up for its Spring Diesel Festival, which takes place 16-19 May, as the heritage railway announced that Freightliner have agreed to the appearance of one of their Class 59s.

Only 15 of this class were built between 1985 and 1995, and currently Freightliner owns all but one of them. The first five were initially ordered by Foster-Yeoman to work heavy stone trains out of Merehead Quarry in Somerset, and became the first private owned diesel locomotives that were allowed to operate on the UK main line.

The SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster said, “Alongside the Freightliner Class 70 that we’ve already secured, this additional locomotive represents another rare opportunity to travel behind and get up close to one of the UK’s true freight workhorses.

“The SVR has established an enviable reputation for being able to pull in great examples of main line diesel traction for our gala events, bringing together the best of modern and heritage traction. We’ve now confirmed three guests for our Spring Diesel Festival, including 37409 ‘Loch Awe’, and have high hopes that we will secure even more. Watch this space!”

For further information and tickets, go to Spring Diesel Festival.