Join the KWVR’s Spring celebration of steam power at the annual Steam Gala of 2019 on Friday 8th – Sunday 10th March.
After a hugely successful Steam Gala in 2018 when the Railway played host to visiting locomotives, ‘Britannia’ 7MT 4-6-2 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ and SDJR 2-8-0 53808 just a few months before their 50th anniversary the annual celebration returns for another year on Friday 8th March – Sunday 10th March with two more famous visiting locomotives.
In 2019, courtesy of The Midland & Great Northern Railway Society, KWVR will be welcoming LNER B12 4-6-0 8572 from the North Norfolk Railway. Alongside this,another star of the show will be the hugely sought after ‘Bahamas’, which plays a special part in railway history, courtesy of Bahamas Locomotive Society. LMS ‘Jubilee’ Class 4-6-0 45596 ‘Bahamas’ will be making its first ever gala appearance on a heritage railway line in over 25 years, shortly after its first mainline charter in the ‘Bahamas’ Railtour from Oxenhope to Carlisle following the completion of its restoration after retiring in 1994.
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The debut of this locomotive is all the more special given that it will be running from Bahamas Locomotive Society’s home on the KWVR line at Ingrow West Station.
Keith Whitmore, Chairman of the Bahamas Locomotive Society:
“It has been a long wait but we are delighted that the first appearance of Bahamas at a Steam Railway Gala will be at our home base where for the last 28 years we have been working with our partners at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on many special events such as this one. Bahamas has always been an enthusiasts favourite locomotive and should draw in the crowds to what promises to be a gala not to missed.”
‘Bahamas’ 45596 will be running with passenger services along the KWVR 5-mile line through the Bronte Countryside on Friday 8th and Sunday 10th March. On Saturday 9th March enthusiasts and the general public alike will be able to get up close with the locomotive and view it in light steam in Ingrow West Station yard.
Alongside viewing the spectacular 8572and 45596, Steam Gala visitors will be able to view the KWVR home fleet locomotive 78022. Built to a BR standard design 78022 was delivered new from Darlington in 1954 and withdrawn in 1967 from Lostock Hall (Preston), finding its way to Woodham Bros. as scrap. Bought by the Standard 4 Locomotive Society in 1975 the engine arrived on the KWVR in 1975. Restoration of 78022 was completed in 1993 and the locomotive retired for public exhibition at Oxenhope in 2003, remaining there until its 2nd overhaul commenced, completed in November 2018. This gala marks its first gala appearance since 2003.
Other home fleet locomotives and coaching stock line up include 41241, 75078, 1054 Coal Tank (courtesy of BLS), “Big Jim” No.5820 as well as L&Y vintage carriages, including the ‘gentleman’s club carriage’ and other prestige vehicles such as The Old Gentlemen’s saloon, famous from the Railway Children and many more, a list of featuring engines can be found at kwvr.co.uk.
The event also offers behind the scenes tours, trade stands, real ale bars on board and much more. It is the perfect event for any enthusiast. Tickets are now available with 10% off when you book in advance for a limited time only. Don’t miss out on this fantastic gala, for less.
Tickets are available at kwvr.co.uk.
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