The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed that Colas have agreed to the use of their HST set at the forthcoming Spring Diesel Festival, which runs 16-19 May.

The set will comprise of two power cars, 43301 and 43303, and three coaches, and it will be used for local services during the four-day event.

As the roster of locos grows ever longer, the SVR has confirmed that a further pair of Class 20s, owned by Michael Owen, will now appear at the event, to complement the already-announced pair and single locomotive from the same class. The locomotives concerned are 20205, 20007, 20048, 20189 and 20142.

“Right now, we’re in a period when enthusiast interest in these vehicles is at an all-time high,” said Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director. “It’s fair to say that the Colas set has particular rarity value for diesel enthusiasts, as it’s generally used for test train duties on the main line and it’s pretty much unheard of for it to carry passengers. It’s a real privilege to have this at our event and we’re very grateful to Colas for agreeing to its appearance.

“We’re delighted too that Michael Owen has agreed to a further pair of Class 20s appearing at the Spring Diesel Festival, bringing the total of this class to five across the event. We’ll have two pairs of Class 20s hauling full-line services and one single locomotive rostered on local services.”

The SVR has announced that the Colas Class 70 due to appear at the event can no longer attend, but that it hopes another member of the Colas fleet will be made available. Further guest announcements and the event timetable are expected very soon.

Also appearing at the event will be two Rail Adventure Class 43 power cars, 43468 and 43480, a Freightliner Class 70, a fleet member from Colas, 73119 ‘Paul Taylor’ and 69009 ‘Western Consort’ from GB Railfreight, a Freightliner Class 59, 37409 ‘Loch Awe’ and Class 46 D182, and as well as members of the SVR’s home fleet.