The Heritage and Modern Traction charity gala held at the Severn Valley Railway, in collaboration with GB Railfreight (GBRf), over the 5th and 6th of September proved to be a very successful weekend.

The number of people attending the event was 50% higher than the heritage railway had expected, with 1,748 people attending the charity gala across the two-day event, which also raised a substantial amount for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Across the weekend, several trans ran representing the heritage and modern traction era. Representing the heritage scene were Severn Valley-based 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’, D1062 ‘Western Courier’, 50033 ‘Glorious’, a DMU, and 40106 ‘Atlantic Conveyor’.

No. 40106 ‘Atlantic Conveyor’ worked a Class 40 Preservation Society evening special on the Saturday. The locomotive will soon be returning to the East Lancashire Railway following its seven-year visit to the Severn Valley Railway.

Visiting GBRf locomotives represented the modern traction era, starting with 69016, which was on display on Friday evening, having worked in a rail tour. 57305, 66710, 66719 and 69015 all took turns hauling the air brake set of coaches, while dual-brake fitted 73107 & 73136 worked the GWR set.

Behind-the-scenes tours of Kidderminster Diesel depot also took place, and a mini beer festival also took place on the platforms. A model railway exhibition in Partnership with Hornby Magazine also took place in the ‘Engine House’ at Highley.

“There was a really good vibe across the railway. We’ve had some tremendous feedback online, and many people made a point of saying to me at the event how well organised it was, and what a rare opportunity we’d brought together in terms of the sheer range of traction, plus the fact that so much of it was provided by freight locomotives!

We worked closely on the event with GBRf as well as co-sponsors and organisers Modern Railways and Hornby Magazines and they were delighted with how everything went. They’d experienced difficulties at another railway last year, and approached us because, in their words, the SVR is ‘the acknowledged leader in the sector for delivery of special events.  

Great Ormond Street Hospital is an extremely deserving cause. We are proud to be able to support them in this way. My thanks as always to everyone across the Railway who gave their time to plan and deliver this weekend – it’s really appreciated.”

SVR managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster