Severn Valley Railway will host a selection of guest locomotives alongside its home steam engine fleet when the Autumn Steam Gala returns mid month.

Industrial locomotive No 401 Vulcan will be one of the guest visitors at the Gala. Its appearance will be the first time a Bagnall-built steam locomotive has ever visited the Severn Valley Railway although it's no stranger to the West Midlands. It spent a number of years at the Austin Motor Company’s Longbridge works until its withdrawal from service in the early 1970s.

Gala festivities kickstart on Thursday 14 September with a centenary celebration of the ‘Big Four’ Grouping Act, followed by the main event which runs from Friday through to Sunday.

An intensive timetable will operate each day, with all available engines in service (including overnight running on Friday and Saturday with BR 75069).

The gala’s line-up of entertainment also includes a mini beer festival - taking place at The Engine House - and a Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast with a Spitfire.

Overnight running will return for 2023, allowing visitors to experience the wonders of steam train travel in the dark.

One train will operate multiple return trips along the 16-mile line on the Friday and Saturday nights of the event, offering a completely unique heritage railway experience to Gala attendees. The SVR is the only heritage railway in the UK that operates 24-hour running, and it’s confident there will be an enthusiastic take-up of the offer.

The railway has also confirmed that for the first time in more than 40 years, Eardington Halt will feature as a stopping point throughout the four days of the event. 

The Autumn Steam Gala runs from Thursday 14 - Sunday 17 September. For further information and tickets, visit: svr.co.uk