The Severn Valley Railway is making preparations for one of the highlights of its 60th anniversary year – the Spring Steam Gala.

Taking place from Friday, 18th to Monday, 21st April, the Spring Steam Gala will feature locomotives from the railway’s home fleet as well as several guest locomotives.

The first guest locomotive to be announced is London, Midland & Scottish Railway Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No. 45596 Bahamas, which is attending the gala thanks to the Bahamas (LMS) Locomotive Society.

Tickets for the gala allows visitors to travel on as many trains as they like and spend time viewing the exhibits in The Engine House at Highley.

Working services alongside 45596 Bahamas will be the following locomotives from the home fleet:

• GWR Autotank, 1450, which the railway hopes will be fully painted in time for the gala.
• GWR Hall, 4930 Hagley Hall
• GWR Pannier Tank, 7714
• GWR Manor, 7802 Bradley Manor
• GWR Manor, 7812 Erlestoke Manor
• LMS Mogul, 13268
• BR Standard, 75069
• Bradley Manor has recently undergone a major overhaul, so this will be a welcome return to service where it will star alongside classmate 7812 Erlestoke Manor.

As well as the locomotives themselves, the variety of services will include:

• Double-headed trains;
• Freight trains;
• Local passenger services, with trains stopping at the recently re-opened Eardington station;
• Early morning and late evening services.

Full details of the weekend are still in the planning stage, and the railway will release further details as they become known.

Further information about the gala is at https://svr.co.uk/event/spring-steam-gala-2025/

Alongside other heritage railways and the national railway network, the Severn Valley Railway is taking part in a nationwide ‘whistle off’ at noon on Wednesday, 1st January to celebrate the start of Railway 200 celebrations.