Severn Valley Railway 'Spring Steam Gala' 2025

Severn Valley Railway 'Spring Steam Gala' 2025. All footage filmed on Sunday 20th & Monday 21st April 2025.

This year's edition of the Severn Valley Railway's annual 'Spring Steam Gala', held over 18th-21st April, would be very different to previous years. Unfortunately due to a major landslip at Hay Bridge between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, services were only permitted from Kidderminster to Hampton Loade. This meant the gala had to be completely replanned as the landslip left all the the home-fleet locos stranded at Bridgnorth and resulted in issues with treated water supply only being available at Kidderminster, which led to small engines not being preferred for the event. Despite all the setbacks, the SVR managed to pull off an amazing gala with six engines in steam over the course of the event. Three visitors would be in action with the first being 45596 "Bahamas" after previously having visited for the 2024 Autumn gala. Following close behind was 6880 "Betton Grange" making it's debut at the Severn Valley after not being able to make last year's Spring gala. But the star of the show had to be fellow 'Jubilee' No. 45699 "Galatea" making it's first appearance from the depths of Carnforth since 2023. Representing the home-fleet was 75069 which had made the journey down to Kidderminster back in February to haul normal services. In addition to the 'Standard', both 'Manors' owned by the Erlestoke Manor Fund were also brought to Kidderminster in time for the gala. Interestingly "Bradley Manor" was presented in full Danny's Bull condition - the name given to the white painted buffers and smokebox door hinges applied at Aberystwyth in the 1960s. Meanwhile at Bridgnorth, 1450 and 7714 shared duties on short rides with a DMU car up and down the station with 43106, 13268 & 4930 "Hagley Hall" also on display

The railway put on an intensive timetable for the gala featuring a healthy mix of full-line services, local services, goods trains and even a double-headed service with both "Bradley Manor" & "Erlestoke Manor" on Monday evening, although this is not featured in the video.

Timestamps:
-00:00, 45627, Severn Lodge
-01:06, 6880, Bank Farm Crossing
-01:51, 75069, Severn Lodge
-02:47, 7802, Severn Lodge
-04:03, 7812, Severn Lodge
-05:45, 75069, Bank Farm Crossing
-06:56, 6880, Bank Farm Crossing
-07:49, 45627, Bank Farm Crossing
-09:05, 45596, Tenbury Wall
-09:56, 7802, Orchard Crossing
-11:06, 6880, Tenbury Wall
-12:01, 7812, Orchard Crossing
-13:04, 45596, Bridge 12
-14:18, 45627, Trimpley Reservoir
-15:11, 6880, Elan Valley Aqueduct
-16:02, 7802, Northwood
-16:54, 75069, Northwood
-17:38, 7812, Sandy Lane
-18:27, 45596, Bewdley Tunnel
-19:09, 7802 + (75069), Rifle Range
-20:26, 6880, Bewdley Tunnel
-21:13, 45627, Rifle Range

Locomotives:
-Ex-GWR Class 6800 'Grange' No. 6880 "BETTON GRANGE"
-Ex-GWR Class 7800 'Manor' No. 7802 "BRADLEY MANOR" (Name not carried)
-Ex-GWR Class 7800 'Manor' No. 7812 "ERLESTOKE MANOR"
-Ex-LMS Class 6P (Formerly 5XP) 'Jubilee' No. 45596 "BAHAMAS"
-Ex-LMS Class 6P (Formerly 5XP) 'Jubilee' No. 45699 "GALATEA" (Masquerading as No. 45627 "SIERRA LEONE")
-BR Class 4MT No. 75069

Maximum Pressure Steam