New addition makes Severn Valley Railway's Gala the biggest yet
Severn Valley Railway is preparing for one of the biggest Spring Steam Galas in its history, with one of the largest and most varied line-ups.
The Railway has announced that the event's busy visiting line-up of five locomotives will now include GWR King No. 6023 King Edward II, built in 1930.
The royal visitor, in its blue livery, makes this year's Gala – which runs between March 16, and March 18 – one of the SVR's biggest yet. King Edward covered more than 1.5 million miles of service before being sent off for scrap in 1962 – before being saved for preservation in 1984 and undergoing extensive restoration work.
The six visiting steam locomotives will be transported from across the country to join the Railway's own fleet of engines for a busy and colourful three days of passenger services along the line.
Thousands of visitors are expected at the season-opener event to experience a taste of what life was like in the hey-day of steam travel, with one of the oldest steam locomotives still in operation – Haydock Foundry Bellerophon, built in 1874 – alongside one of the newest – No. 60163 Tornado – which recently starred in film Paddington 2. LNER B1 No. 1264, LNER B12 No. 8572 and BR Standard 4MT No. 80072 complete the visiting line-up.
A busy timetable of local trains and autotrains running between stations into the evenings will be on offer to visitors, as well as goods trains. The Engine Visitor Centre, in Highley, will also be open.
Lewis Maddox, events co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted to announce the addition of King Edward II to our visiting line-up, making this year's Spring Steam Gala one of our biggest yet.
"With such a diverse and exciting range of engines on offer, we are sure that this will be an event that steam enthusiasts and visitors of all ages will not want to miss."
For more information or to book tickets, call 01562 757900 or visit svr.co.uk.
