The Severn Valley Railway is to welcome four gala guests to its Autumn Diesel Bash, which is set to take place from the 29th September until the 1st October.

An agreement in principle is in place that will see Class 35 Hymeks No. D7017 and D7018 visit the railway from the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group / West Somerset Railway and Warship No. 832 ‘Onslaught’ and Class 35 Hymek No. D7076 visit thanks to the Bury Hydraulic Group and the East Lancashire Railway.

The visitors will join home based locomotives D821 ‘Greyhound’, D1015 ‘Western Champion’ and D1062 ‘Western Courier’.

The SVR says it is also going to run photoshoots with the locomotives, and a pre-event excursion day on Wednesday 27th September.

Plans are afoot for a 5″ gauge display of miniature hydraulics and a mini beer festival to be based at Highley.

“Undoubtedly this is a very ambitious event,” explained the SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster. “We’ve pulled together the largest ever gathering of main line diesel hydraulic types.

“We needed plenty of faith to attempt this. But, the SVR is home to the only two currently working Class 52 Westerns, and these were our initial seeds of inspiration. And, our Diesel Festival in the spring proved we’ve got serious drawing power in terms of our visitor numbers. Together these factors gave us the confidence to go for it.

“The ‘Magnificent Seven’ theme for our Autumn Diesel Bash is the final element of celebrating 50 years of heritage diesel preservation. What better way to do this than muster this impressive showing of former Western Region diesel hydraulic classes, which were the pioneers of early diesel locomotive preservation.

“The SVR is setting out its stall as the leading venue for heritage diesel events, and by providing this unique opportunity, we think we’ll nail it.”

“We know that people are keen to see the timetable, but an event of this size requires something very complex to be put together. It’s a work-in-progress and we’ll be announcing it as soon as possible. And, we’re working on something very special for Sunday 1st October as a final flourish to round off the Diesel Bash in true SVR style, which we hope to announce very soon.”