Summer Gala
The SVR introduced the Summer Gala as a new event in 2026. The Railway had previously held Summer Steam Galas, originally styled "Great Western Weekends" between 1978 and 1990.
2026 Summer Gala[edit | edit source]
The 2026 Summer Gala was advertised as featuring "small engines taking the limelight", with both steam and diesel locomotives in use (the downloadable public timetables used the alternative term "Summer Mixed Traction Festival"). Three guest locomotives attended, all first time visitors to the SVR:
- Neilson & Co 0-4-0ST W.B. & Co No 11, Works no 2937 of 1882
- Kerr Stuart 'Witch' class 0-4-0ST City of Stoke on Trent Gas Works, Works no 4388 of 1926
- Hunslet Engine Co 0-6-0ST Holly Bank No 3,[note 1] Works no 3783 of 1953
-
Neilsen 2937 -
Kerr Stuart 4388 -
Hunslet 3783
The Neilsen and Kerr pairing worked local shuttles between Kidderminster and Bewdley. Holly Bank No 3 and new SVR arrival BR Class 07 D2996 were intended to do the same between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade; unfortunately Holly Bank No 3 developed a fault before the gala and was on static display at Kidderminster throughout, with its place taken by 813, while D2996 was still undergoing final testing before entry into service, with its place being taken in the roster by D821 Greyhound. Being smaller and better suited than D821, Clayton D8568 took over the northern local services, with D821 operating full line services, although the latter's final trip was worked by an even larger locomotive, 50033 Glorious. 1450 was unable to take part due to awaiting repairs, replaced by class 20 20048. 7714, 09107, D9551 and the Class 108 DMU completed the lineup.
Earlier Summer Steam Galas[edit | edit source]
The first summer event was held in early June 1978 as a one-off 'Great Western' themed event. It subsequently became an anual event which continued each June under different names until 1990. These predominantly featuring the home fleet, although occasionally including guest locomotives. The GWR events were originally advertised as "On these weekends ... every loco in GWR livery steamable is steamed.". However over time the relative number and availability of non-GWR locomotives saw the event move from being GWR themed to a more general "Steam Gala" format. The individual event names shown below in bold are as advertised in SVR timetables for each year.
1978
3-4 June 1978: Great Western Weekend:[note 2] The SVR staged a 'Great Western Weekend' event on 3-4 June to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Kidderminster Loop Line. However a scarcity of available GWR locos at the time meant the event informally ended up as a "LMS, GW and BR weekend" with participants including 46443 and 80079.[1]
1979
23-24 June 1979: G.W.R. Weekend. Following the 1978 event, General Manager Michael Draper had reported in SVR News "...for the second year running, we can promise you extra locomotives in steam even to the extent of planning for a genuine G.W.R. Steam Weekend in the middle of June".[2]
1980
14-15 June 1980: Great Western Weekend. The event featured seven GWR locomotives including the first appearance of newly-restored 2857 together with 3205, 4930 Hagley Hall, 5164, 5764, 6960 Raveningham Hall and 7819. 43106 also appeared on the Saturday.[3]
1981
20-21 June 1981: Great Western Weekend. Locomotives used included 3205, 5764 and 6960. On the Sunday, 3205 became the first locomotive to take water at Highley following the commissioning of the newly-installed ex-Whitchurch water column.[4]
1982
19-20 June 1982: Great Western Weekend. Featured the SVR's first 'true' guest locomotive, 7029 Clun Castle.[5][note 3] Other locomotives included 5764 and 7812 Erlestoke Manor, with 686 The Lady Armaghdale on shunting duties at Bewdley.[6]
1983
18-19 June 1983: Great Western Weekend. The event saw "...an SVR low on GWR machinery" with just three GWR locos available, 7812, 4930 and 5164. Plans to use 3205 were thwarted after a thrush had nested on the footplate during an overhaul. Other locos used included 686 on demonstration shunting duties at Highley.[7]
1984
23-24 June 1984: Summer Steam Gala. The last SVR event to be held before the opening to Kidderminster in July 1984.
1985
22-23 June 1985: Summer Steam Gala. 1985 was the year of "GWR 150". The Summer Steam Gala included a visit by the BR GWR 150 exhibition train which was on display in Highley loop and the replica broad gauge 'Iron Duke' on display in Bridgnorth yard.[8]
1986
21-22 June 1986: Summer Steam Gala. Featured two guest locomotives, 5051 Drysllwyn Castle and 6998 Burton Agnes Hall. Other locos used included 47383, LMS 8233, and LMS 5000.[9]
1987
27-28 June 1987: Summer Steam Gala. Intended to return to a GWR theme, including on-hire locomotives 7760 and 5619.[10]
1988
25-26 June 1988: Summer Steam Gala.
1989
24-25 June 1989: Summer Steam Gala.
1990
23-24 June 1990: Celebration Steam Gala. The year marked "SVR 25" (25 years since preservation started in 1965). For the summer Celebration Gala, GWR 5080 Defiant was requested[11] but could not attend. The event was successful despite "everlasting rain showers" on both days.[12]
Early June 1980 also saw a "Heavy Freight Weekend". After 1980 the June Heavy Freight Weekends continued in the calendar for the next few years, but the Summer Steam Gala was discontinued.
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 3783 spent its working life at Darfield Main Colliery in South Yorkshire where it was named Darfield No 1. Since being bought by the Chasewater Railway it has assumed the identity of a long-since scrapped sister locomotive, Holly Bank No 3, Hunslet 1451 of 1924.
- ↑ The 1978 timetable referred to a planned 'Gala Weekend' on 3-4 June but did not name the event.
- ↑ In 1970 LMS 5690 Leander was at the railway to undergo a contract overhaul, prior to which it was used in the 1970 Enthusiasts Event.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ SVR News 48, Locomotive Department Notes", p. 12.
- ↑ SVR News 49, General Manager's Notes, p.8.
- ↑ SVR News 56, pp.27,29.
- ↑ SVR News 60, pp.22-21,31.
- ↑ SVR News 64, p.7.
- ↑ SVR News 66, p.2.
- ↑ SVR News 68, pp.12-15.
- ↑ SVR News 77, p.7.
- ↑ SVR News 81, pp. 6,14.
- ↑ SVR News 84, p.5. and 85, p.2.
- ↑ SVR News 95, p.47.
- ↑ SVR News 97, p. 42.