The Severn Valley Railway has announced that they will be welcoming a GB Railfreight Class 73 for their Spring Diesel Festival.

The main line operator has agreed to allow 73119 to visit for the gala, which will take place from the 16th until the 19th May 2024.

Whilst the locomotives are DC electric powered, they also have a 650hp diesel engine to allow them to run on non-electrified lines.

73119 has been named Paul Taylor, who is a longstanding SVR supporter.

Paul has helped to provide GBRf locos at past events as well as using locomotives on charity railtours that he has organised.

“This feature makes them incredibly versatile. 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

SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster