The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is to hold its first ever Winter Steam Gala on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January 2024.

Once its Christmas programme is over, the Railway will be preparing for the Gala, and particularly hopes to attract photographers, promising excellent conditions to take great snaps .

John Titlow who is a professional photographer who volunteers with SVR, explains that, “The days may be short but winter is the best time to be out riding and photographing steam trains. Nothing is better than a cold, still winter day with the locomotive working hard and the exhaust laying on top of the train as it winds its way along the line.

“Frosty landscapes viewed from the inside of a steam-heated carriage is something special, particularly with a hot drink in hand. Snow and sun can only make it better!”

Plans for the Gala are progressing well, with five steam locomotives expected to run. These will include visiting locomotive 2253 ‘Omaha’, which has stayed at the SVR after its gala appearance in September.

The gala will also feature:

• 21C127 ‘Taw Valley’ in its wartime black livery for the last time
• the last chance to see 43106 ‘The Flying Pig’ before it reaches the end of its current boiler ticket
• the recently-overhauled 2968 making its gala debut
• 7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’ returning to its home.

The Railway plans to start services at 8am each day, finish at about 7pm, and to include an evening special on the Saturday, hauled by 43106.

Tickets are on sale on the SVR website.

The RailAdvent online shop sells prints of Erlestoke Manor , Omaha and Taw Valley.