The Severn Valley Railway has revealed that GB Railfreight will send its Class 69 locomotive to appear at the railway’s forthcoming Spring Diesel Festival, and that subject to availability this will be 69009. 

The event takes place 16-19 May, and the leading heritage line is hoping to repeat the success of its diesel-themed enthusiast events in 2023, which drew record numbers of visitors. 

Class 69 freight locomotives are converted from Class 56 diesels, with their original power unit replaced with the same model of General Motors/EMD engine that can be seen fitted to Class 66 diesels across the country. 

The Severn Valley is no stranger to Class 69s; the very first one, 69001 spent several weeks at the railway in early 2021 for testing. The following year, 69005, made an appearance at the Spring Diesel Festival. 

“This particular guest is going to take things up another notch at our spring event,” said the SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster. “With only 11 so far converted and working, they’re really not a common sight on the main line itself. The chance to see 69009 and travel behind it on a heritage line is going to prove very popular with supporters. 

“If all goes well, it will be 69009 visiting us, and this locomotive will be a splendid sight, painted in a retro Western Region maroon livery. It’s named ‘Western Consort’ in commemoration of the Class 52 Westerns, two of which are of course currently in regular service on the SVR.” 

The Class 69 is the fifth guest locomotive confirmed by the SVR for its event, and will join a Class 59, a Class 70, 37409 ‘Loch Awe’, plus 37263, Class 46 D182 and members of the home fleet for the four-day Spring Diesel Festival. 

For further information and bookings, visit the Spring Diesel Festival page.