Over the weekend, the Severn Valley Railway held their Spring Steam Gala, which saw Gresley A4 No. 4498 (60007) Sir Nigel Gresley return to passenger service after a six-year long overhaul.

A short ceremony was held at Kidderminster on Thursday 21st April 2022 to mark the completion of the £1m overhaul.

60007 appeared at the gala in its temporary LNER Wartime Black livery and hauled the SVR’s LNER teak carriages.

The locomotive is expected to leave the Severn Valley Railway on Tuesday via the mainline on its loaded test run with Locomotive Services Group. You can find out more information on that here.

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Nigel Wilson, Chairman of The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust, which owns No. 4498, said, ”The event marks the return of our popular A4 class locomotive following the tremendous efforts of our essentially volunteer engineering team. This overhaul is probably the most thorough the locomotive has ever had. Thanks to all involved and the results of the hard work are now for everybody to enjoy. We’re also very grateful to the SVR for hosting us for the all-important running in tests.”

The SVR’s managing director Helen Smith said, “It’s been a pleasure to host this iconic locomotive at the railway for its running in tests in recent weeks. We’re delighted that it’s staying to make an exclusive guest appearance at our Spring Steam Gala, where we know it will prove tremendously popular. I’d also recommend visitors take the opportunity to visit The Engine House at Highley, where Sir Nigel Gresley’s famous top hat is on display.”