The Severn Valley Railway has announced that they will be welcoming LMS Black 5 No. 45231 The Sherwood Forester this September for their Autumn Steam Gala.

45231 The Sherwood Forester visits the Severn Valley Railway thanks to Locomotive Services Group.

45231 is the first guest announced for the gala, which is set to take place between the 15th and 18th September.

Joining 45231 will be the home fleet of 4930 Hagley Hall (first gala appearance after 36 year absence), GWR 2857 (final gala before ticket expires), Pannier 1501 (final gala appearance before ticket expires), Pannier No. 7714, No. 70 ‘Elizabeth II’, 43106 and 75069.

The Severn Valley Railway has already confirmed it will not run overnight services at this year’s gala as a coal saving measure.

Michael Dunn, head of commercial and visitor experience, said: “Following a bumper Spring Steam Gala with more than 5,000 visitors, we wanted to ensure our Autumn event will be just as popular with enthusiasts.

“This first guest is a statement of intent from our team that SVR Galas really are unmissable! And, we’ve got a few more surprises up our sleeve, which we’ll reveal as soon as we can!”

The leading heritage railway says that it will not operate overnight running for this event as a coal-saving measure. “This is a critical time for the railway,” said Helen Smith, managing director. “Operating costs across all areas of the business are rising sharply. By ‘resting’ overnight running for this year’s Autumn Steam Gala, we’ll be able to conserve our limited coal stocks, in order to ensure we can run our extremely popular steam-hauled Christmas events. These are a crucial part of generating much-needed revenue as we continue to fight back after the impact of the pandemic.

“We’ll have an ambitious timetable for the Gala starting at 8am and running well into the evening on the Friday and Saturday. We’re bringing back the extremely popular breakfast trains and other informal on-train dining options, plus we’ll have goods trains and a narrow gauge railway at The Engine House, Highley. We’re very much looking forward to what we think will be the UK’s leading steam gala!”

The railway runs between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. Tickets are now available over on the Severn Valley Railway website.