The Bluebell Railway has announced the return of its well-loved Branch Line Gala Weekend which will take place from Friday the 10th through to Sunday the 12th of May 2024.

The special event is a must for fans of branch line railways and will see a fantastic mix of special visiting guest locomotives alongside a mix of unique and smaller trains, no doubt, creating a gala to remember.

Visiting Locomotives include:

GWR Manor No. 7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’:

Visiting from the Severn Valley Railway, 7812 is a popular locomotive which first entered service in 1939 and worked on both passenger and freight services, ending her working life on the Cambrian coast under British Rail in 1965.

Thankfully the impressive locomotive was purchased from Barry Scrap Yard in 1974 thanks to The Erlestoke Manor Fund which purchased the locomotive, moving her to its current home at the Severn Valley Railway.

Collett Small Pannier Tank No. 1369:

Visiting from the South Devon Railway, No.1369 is a wonderful little Tank Engine that was built back in 1934. This class of locomotive is well suited to the galas theme, and in its hay day was ideal for operating on the branch lines of Devon and Cornwall.

1964 saw No.1369 withdrawn from service and thankfully purchased by the South Devon Railway in 1965, preserving the hard working locomotive and making her the only survivor of her class.

Home Fleet Locmotives Include:

• BR Standard 4MT Tank Engine No.80151
• Stroudley A1 Terrier No.72 “Fenchurch”
• SECR Stirling 0-6-0 O1 No.65

The gala is set to see an extensive timetable running across all three days including double headers and freight trains bringing history to life with all the wonderful sights and sounds that only heritage railways can create.

Tickets for the event are set to be released shortly, to find out more about the Branch Line Gala Weekend, please click here.