Final guest locomotive completes Steam Gala line-up

The BR Standard Class 4 Tank No 80097 will be the fourth and final guest locomotive appearing at the Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala.

The popular tank engine will visit courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway, joining previously announced guests GWR Small Prairie No 5526, GWR Pannier Tank No 9681 and Ivatt Class 2MT No 41313 for a gala celebrating the Severn Valley in its pre-preservation days.

Painted in classic British Railways black livery, No 80097 has one of preservation's most inspiring stories. Although it spent just 11 years in service with British Railways before being withdrawn from service in 1965 and sent to Barry Scrapyard, its return to steam was achieved thanks to more than 34 years of repairs and restoration by over 200 volunteers.

The extensive project included the construction of a completely new boiler before the locomotive finally entered service on the East Lancashire Railway in 2019, where it has since become a firm favourite with visitors.

As a British Railways Standard tank engine from the final years of steam, No 80097 is an authentic addition to this year's pre-preservation theme, representing the type of locomotive that would have been a familiar sight on Britain's railways, including the Severn Valley, during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Gus Dunster, the SVR's chief executive officer, said: "We're delighted that No 80097 will complete our guest locomotive line-up for this year's Autumn Steam Gala, and we're extremely grateful to the East Lancashire Railway and the loco’s owners, the Bury Standard 4 Group, for making the visit possible.

"Every preserved locomotive has an incredible story behind it, and 80097 is a remarkable symbol of endurance, determination and volunteer dedication.

"After spending twice as long in Barry Scrapyard as it did in British Railways service, it is wonderful to see it back doing exactly what it was built for, and we're looking forward to seeing it working on the Severn Valley.

"This year's Autumn Steam Gala is all about recreating the atmosphere of the Severn Valley before preservation, and the combination of our guest locomotives with home fleet engines, including the expected gala debut of our newly restored GWR Large Prairie No 4150, promises a wonderful four days of steam.”

The Autumn Steam Gala will feature an intensive timetable of guest and home-fleet steam locomotives operating along the Railway's 16-mile line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.

Visitors can also break their journey with a visit to The Engine House at Highley or enjoy refreshments in the Railway's station pubs while experiencing one of the SVR's busiest and most popular steam events of the year.

Further information and advance tickets are available at svr.co.uk.