Hunslet No. 1873 ‘Jessie’ is the third guest announced for the Severn Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala.

Visiting thanks to Mike Pearce and the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Jessie will also visit alongside 45231 The Sherwood Forester and 9351 to the gala, which is set to be held between the 15th – 18th September.

Jessie was built in 1937 and spent its working life in Cardiff before withdrawal in 1965. Mike Pearce bought the locomotive and first steamed in 2003.

The locomotive has never visited the Severn Valley Railway before, but will be in operation alongside 7714, 43106, 75069, 2857, 1501, 70 ‘Elizabeth II’ as well as 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’, which makes it first gala appearance after a 36 year absence.

One more locomotive is set to be announced but will be ‘much smaller than passengers may expect’

The event will include goods trains, a narrow gauge railway at The Engine House, and an intensive timetable running until Midnight on both Friday and the Saturday.

Other star attractions at the event include good trains, a narrow-gauge railway at The Engine House Visitor Centre and an intensive timetable running until midnight on both Friday and Saturday.

Michael Dunn, head of commercial and visitor experience, celebrated the addition: “Alongside our fantastic home fleet, the trio of guests we’ve announced for our Autumn Steam Gala make this event truly unmissable.

“There’s something for everyone – an industrial, duo of pannier tanks, a Black Five, a Mogul and a purple Bulleid Pacific. Plus, with pie-and-mash and breakfast services in LNER 7960, we have so much going on.”

“We know we’re in for another bumper four day extravaganza and encourage visitors to book their tickets in advance to get the best offer!”