DIESEL trains took centre stage for a change at the Severn Valley Railway at the weekend.

The 18-mile heritage line is best known for steam, but it also caters for all kinds of railway and transport afficionados and its annual three-day Diesel Gala is now a major nationwide event.

Nearly 3,000 people enjoyed travelling up and down the line on diesel-hauled trains on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and some special locomotives were brought in especially.

Sir Edward Elgar, with its Worcestershire connections, came down from Derbyshire, while the Western Fusilier was loaned by the National Railway Museum at York. Both came to Kidderminster via the main line.

John Leach, Severn Valley's marketing manager, said: "A whole generation of people were brought up with diesels and this has created a band of enthusiasts who love to come and spend time at the gala.

"It gives us a chance to operate some of our historic diesels and we also bring in some special attractions such as the Western Fusilier and Sir Edward Elgar.

"It is easy to forget that diesels are not really modern and they did not last all that long. The oldest one we had on the line at the weekend was built in 1958 and was taken out of service in the 1970s."

This weekend SVR switches to a different mode of transport when it hosts its annual Classic Car and Bike Day on Sunday.