The 'Spring Steam Gala' at the Severn Valley Railway always promises to be a good event no matter the weather, with the 2023 rendition certainly putting that theory to the test. Held over the weekend of April 14th-16th, the event would act as a celebration of the GWR, coinciding with the 100th anniversary since the formation of the 'Big Four' railway companies during the grouping of 1923. This theme would be echoed by the two GWR visiting locomotives for the event, complimenting the SVR's own Western locomotives.
Visiting from the Didcot Railway Centre, 4079 "Pendennis Castle" would be the headline guest for the event, with 'Castle' only recently returned to steam at Didcot. As such, its trip to the SVR would be its first heritage railway visit since the completion of its extensive overhaul. Joining 4079, 'Small Prairie' - 4555 would feature for the gala, as well as Standard Class 2MT - 78018 from the Great Central Railway.
The visiting trio would be joining a variety of locomotives from the SVR home-fleet; some, also fresh from overhauls. 4930 "Hagley Hall" made a triumphant return to public service in 2022, while 7812 "Erlestoke Manor" would be making its first appearance at a gala since the completion of its latest overhaul. At the other end of the scale, stalwarts 43106 and 34027 "Taw Valley" are nearing the end of their respective boiler tickets, the former appearing at its final spring gala before withdrawal. Completing the line-up would be 'Pannier Tank' - 7714.
Having been adorned by a purple livery for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, 34027 found itself in need of a temporary coat of paint to see it through until the end of its boiler ticket, where it's due to be fully repainted while under overhaul. Since the period of this need is brief, the Bulleid pacific has received Bulleid wartime black for the interluding period, chosen simply as black paint proved to be cheaper, and does the bare necessity of protecting the metalwork from the elements. Though no Rebuilt Bulleid pacific carried the livery in the days of steam, since the rebuilding programme postdates World War II, it serves well as a 'what-if'. In line with the livery, "Taw Valley" has regained its original Southern number of 21C127.
The gala featured a variety of passenger workings, including a healthy mix of local and full-line workings. Alongside these, would be a demonstration freight set, making sporadic appearances.
Locomotives:
BR Standard Class 2MT - 78018 "Borough of Darlington" (name only carried on one side)
SR Rebuilt 'West Country' Class - 21C127 "Taw Valley"
GWR 4073 'Castle' Class - 4079 "Pendennis Castle"
Ex-GWR 7800 'Manor' Class - 7812 "Erlestoke Manor"
GWR 4500 'Small Prairie' Class - 4555
BR(M) Class 4MT - 43106
GWR 4900 'Hall' Class - 4930 "Hagley Hall"
Ex-GWR 5700 'Pannier Tank' Class - 7714
All footage filmed on Friday the 14th of April 2023.
Негізгі бет Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары Severn Valley Railway - 'Spring Steam Gala' 14/04/2023
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