A Class 73 locomotive with a strong connection to the Severn Valley Railway is the latest guest to join the impressive roster for the heritage line’s forthcoming Spring Diesel Festival. The event takes place across four days, from 16-19 May.

Main line operator GB Railfreight has agreed to allow 73119 to attend, and its appearance will be especially poignant to many at the line, because the locomotive has been named after longstanding SVR supporter Paul Taylor. Paul was a strong champion of both the SVR and the SVR-based Class 50 Alliance, often using its locomotives on the charity rail tours he organised, and helping to provide GBRf diesels at SVR events.

A total of 49 Class 73s were introduced between 1962 and 1967, and 39 of these still survive.

Although the 73s are a third-rail DC electric locomotive, they are also fitted with a 650hp diesel engine, allowing them to operate away from electrified rail.

“This feature makes them incredibly versatile, “explained the SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, “Although, as you might expect, they’re very low-powered when operating on diesel power. However, that’s not something to concern us at our event, because this will be about the sheer curiosity value of operating a locomotive like this on a heritage line.

“Paul Taylor, whose name the loco carries, was a dear friend to me and many others associated with the SVR, and we are especially pleased that GBRf have agreed to the appearance of 73119.”

There’s more information on the Spring Diesel Festival page.