FRESH from its hire period with RSS, No. 08888 has received attention at Lydney, this culminating with a repaint out of BR green and back into Parcels red, recreating its early-1990s look while based on Tyneside. The loco has also had its corresponding Postman’s Pride nameplates reapplied to complete the new look. Unveiled on March 25, the shunter is due to take part in a rare running day on May 17, where it will work alongside Railfreight-liveried No. 09106. This is currently planned to be the Class 08’s only passenger use during 2026 after which it be used for shunting duties with No. 09106 stood down for maintenance.
Another member of the Valley Rail Preservation fleet, No. 08769 is to spend several months on loan at the Somerset and Dorset Railway while the line’s normal resident No. 08881 undergoes repairs at Lydney. Prior to departing for its temporary home on March 26, No. 08769 received attention to the damage incurred in last August’s incident where an out of gauge excavator on a works train collided with a footbridge at Lydney, the shunter receiving bodywork and paint damage as it was struck by the collapsing structure. The loco was due to make its passenger debut at Midsomer Norton over the Easter weekend and will be in regular use until such time as its sister is ready to return.
The SVR Class 14 Company has completed the acquisition of Class 07 No. D2996 (07012) after it raised the required £35,000 in just two months. Announced on March 25, the group was well on the way to sourcing a further £5,000 by the end of the month to fund the road transfer of the former Southampton Docks shunter from its present home of Barrow Hill to the Severn Valley Railway, where it will serve as a depot pilot at Bridgnorth.
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