K&WVR Steam Gala 19-22 March 2026

Nope. We don't hire for Steam Gala, never have done.

75078 was always likely to miss as it's currently without Driving Wheels.

45407 was a very pleasant bit of luck but not planned.

 

Thursday and Friday gala timetables live The Steam Gala – Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

 

The Timetable for Saturday and Sunday is now also live.
https://kwvr.co.uk/events/thesteamgala/

 

I think this will be Nunney Castle & Braunton from Crewe to KWVR 17th March for the steam gala

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U75692/2026-03-17/detailed

 

I was considering coming to the gala on Saturday 21st but have had second thoughts after looking at the timetable. The big attraction for me is 34046 but it doesn't seem to have any solo runs after 11.10AM and doesn't seem to be in use at all in the afternoon apart from a double-header at 14.05 from Keighley. Are there any goods workings which it operates which aren't shown in the timetable? Alternatively, will the loco be in operation on any other days apart form the gala weekend? Any further info would be most welcome as I'd love to pay the line a visit for the first time in absolutely ages and 34046 is a real draw.

 

I don't think so. They can't operate additional trains to the published timetable due to the only passing loop in Damens. There are also published any light engine moves and goods. Why there should be hiding any 'secret' trains?

 

Braunton and the Castle are scheduled to return to Crewe on the Monday after the Gala. It is not usual for there to be any workings other than those timetabled. K&WVR Galas are famous for the timetable "slipping" somewhat, (as with many others, all part of the fun) but providing the locos are fit to run they do try to keep to the rostered allocation. I have two days booked and am sure it will be the usual "good do" as we say in Yorkshire.

 

I guess it was just a bit of wishful thinking on my part - I'd like to have seen a bit more of Braunton. Oh well, never mind. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Well--up to a point. As discussed in another thread, at the last East Lancs gala I attended, I ended up stuck in Rambottom for two hours with platform staff unable to give any indication of when the next train might arrive. That was NOT fun. I've certainly experienced 'slippage' at past KWVR galas but never anything as bad as that--and I hope it stays that way!

 

Easiest solution i found was to get the bus back to Bury that day, if you get the right one it stops outside Bury Bolton St station

 

There are 3 visiting engines so just running one all the time doesn't work. The idea of a Gala is variety around your visiting locomotives.
Friday - Braunton has 5 trips, the Castle 3. On the Saturday that switches around, where Braunton does 3 trips but the Castle does 5.

There's 5 other main locomotives and two smaller shuttle engines all to fit in too.

They leave immediately after the Gala on Monday

 

Well, I've brought my 2 day ticket and will be doing Friday and Saturday. I did think about Sunday but poorer public transport and the fact I'm rather busy the week after made me decide against that.
Hopefully the weather will oblige and be at least alright. Both BBC and the Met Office reckon it will be currently.