The Spa Valley Railway has announced that No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ will be visiting them in 2022/23 to help operate passenger trains.

It is expected the 4-6-2 will arrive during the Winter to operate festive trains as well as ordinary passenger trains.

34072 visits the Spa Valley Railway thanks to its owners, Southern Locomotives Limited.

Later this week, Rebuilt Bulleid 34053 Sir Keith Park, also owned by Southern Locomotives Limited, will haul SVR trains for the last time before being withdrawn for overhaul.

34053’s overhaul will commence straight away and is expected to be finished in 2023, when the locomotive will return to the Spa Valley Railway to continue hauling trains on the heritage line.

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You can see 34072 in action at the Great Central Railway, where it visited in 2022 for their Winter Steam Gala, in our 3 Disc Set. Click here for more information and to watch a trailer.

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