‘Erlestoke’ or ‘Bradley’ for Severn Valley gala

With just over a week to go before its Spring Steam Gala, the Severn Valley Railway has yet to reveal which ‘Manor’ will join the nine-strong line-up.


Could it be putting in an appearance? ‘Manor’ No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor, complete with Danny’s Bull on the smokebox and buffers, rounds the curve opposite The Engine House at Highley with a train bound for Bridgnorth on September 9 2016. THOMAS BRIGHT

It was announced on March 3 that ‘Manor’ No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor would be taking the place of Hawksworth ‘15XX’ No. 1501 at the March 17-19 event, as ongoing maintenance work on the 0-6-0PT has prevented it from making an appearance.

However, the owning group, the Erlestoke Manor Fund, has urged enthusiasts to check before the event that the Collett 4-6-0 will be in steam. On the SVR’s event page on its official website, classmate and fellow SVR resident No. 7802 Bradley Manor is earmarked to appear at the three-day event.

Either way, a ‘Manor’ will be in attendance at the gala, where it will be joined by three visiting locomotives. Fresh from its starring role at the Nene Valley Railway’s ‘Bulleid 50’ event, and making its first visit away from the NVR since the completion of its overhaul earlier this year, is ‘Battle of Britain’ No. 34081 92 Squadron.

Joining the ‘BB’ courtesy of the Mid-Hants Railway and John Jones is Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-2T No. 41312, making its first visit to the SVR for over 16 years. The third and final visiting locomotive is ‘9F’ No. 92214, courtesy of the Great Central Railway.

The SVR’s home fleet will be putting in a strong showing, with ex-Port Talbot Railway No. 813, ‘14XX’ No. 1450, ‘57XX’ No. 7714, ‘West Country’ No. 34027 Taw Valley, ‘Battle of Britain’ No. 34053 Sir Keith Park and Ivatt ‘Flying Pig’ 2-6-0 No. 43106 all expected to be in steam.

An intensive timetable across the three days will see double-headed passenger trains, goods trains and brake van rides all taking place throughout the gala. For more details, visit: http://www.svr.co.uk/SEItem.aspx?a=65.

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