GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ will be visiting them for their Spring Diesel Festival.

Taking place between the 16th and 19th May, the gala will see an intensive timetable operate throughout the weekend.

Class 69s are converted from Class 56 locomotives, where their original power unit is replaced with a EMD / General Motors engine that can be found on the Class 66s.

69009, which appears subject to availability, will visit in its newly unveiled Western Region Maroon livery.

69009 is the fifth guest locomotive, and will join a Class 59 and Class 70 from Freightliner, 37409 ‘Loch Awe’, 37263, D182 and members of the homefleet.

“This particular guest is going to take things up another notch at our spring event,”

“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.”

SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster