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FIVE major heritage railways are due to operate steam galas in the coming weeks, all of which are set to feature visiting locomotives, along with a host of other attractions.
The Severn Valley Railway’s flagship steam loco, GWR ‘Hall’ No. 4930 Hagley Hall is to return to the roster at its September 15-18 Autumn Steam Gala after a 36 year absence following the 4-6-0’s £1.3m overhaul.
LMS ‘Black Five’ No. 45231 The Sherwood Forester will be making its debut hauling non-main line charter trains at the SVR courtesy of Locomotive Services Group. Two other visiting locos include West Somerset Railway-based GWR inspired Mogul No. 9351 and Hunslet 0-6-0ST Jessie (1873/1937), owned by Mike Pearce and based at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway.
Motive power
Home fleet locos will include GWR 0-6-0PT No. 7714, LMS No. 43106 ‘The Flying Pig’ and BR ‘4MT’ 4-6-0 No. 75069. Two SVR-based locos will be making their final gala appearances before their boiler tickets expire – GWR 2-8-0 No. 2857 and WR 0-6-0PT No. 1501. The SVR’s now-famous purple loco, SR Bulleid Pacific No. 70 ‘Elizabeth II’ (No. 34027 Taw Valley) will also join the line-up.
Other star attractions at the event
