2016 Winter Steam Gala – Photo Album & Video

After some considerable delay we are pleased to present a collection of photographs submitted by photographers over the 3 days of the Gala.

Whilst visitor numbers were down on previous events, due mainly to the non appearance of the visiting locomotives as a result of circumstances beyond the Railway’s control, the staff and volunteers put on a great show as these images testify.

View the full photographic record of the Gala on our Flickr page >>>

The locomotives taking part were:
TVR 0-6-2T no. 85 making its first appearance on a passenger train since restoration
USATC S160 2-8-0 5820
MR 0-6-0 43924
LNWR 0-6-2T 1054, courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society
Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T 1704 ‘Nunlow’, courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society

Unfortunately 2 locomotives from the home fleet were also absent, repairs not being completed prior to the Gala.

As always Ken Baker, this year accompanied by his new trusty friend, Lucky, was on hand to film the events and a taster of his usual comprehensive record of the day can be seen below.

The full version for those who like to sit down and fully appreciate Ken’s work can be seen HERE >>>

2016 Winter Steam Gala – Final Call (2)

Our post from earlier today was to be the last word on locomotive availability. Since posting this news we have learnt that ‘Black 5’ 44871, although ‘prepped’ and ready to be towed to Keighley, can not visit the Railway due to the unavailability of drivers at such short notice.

After the disappointment of receiving confirmation that 44871 will not be able to join us, we have just learned that resident BR Standard 4 ‎75078 has developed a fault that is likely to result in the locomotive being unavailable throughout the Gala weekend. The organisers have yet again reworked the working timetable to accommodate this latest setback to make sure that we make the best of the fleet to put on a great event.

Our never say die attitude continues, and the crews and volunteers of the Railway will be pulling out all the stops to put on a great event, albeit a very different one to what we had planned.

For all the latest information and working timetables (which we hope are not subject to more change) visit the Winter Steam Gala webpage.

2016 Winter Steam Gala – Final Call

Having been made aware of a problem regarding the planned move of LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 44871 to the Railway, the event organisers have been burning the mid-night all to still bring this visiting locomotive to the Railway

Despite a very considerable effort and sleepless nights by the event organisers, which has included talks with a number of mainline operators and locomotive owners, we have to concede that ‘Black 5’ 44871 will not arrive in time for the start of our Winter Steam Gala. We are very disappointed by this outcome, but hope that you will still join us to welcome back Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2T, no. 85 back into traffic (seen below last weekend when on a test run with 43924), as well as enjoy double-headed trains, demonstration freight services and the rest of the operational home fleet.

However, thanks to our never say die attitude, we are still working hard to bring the locomotive to the Railway and hope that it can arrive in time for Saturday & Sunday services..

Please be rest assured that we our doing our very best to put on a great event, albeit a very different one to what we had planned.

Updates will be posted on the website (www.kwvr.co.uk), as well as via Twitter (@worthvalley) and our Facebook page. For all the latest information and working timetables (which are subject to change) visit the Winter Steam Gala webpage.

2016 Winter Steam Gala Update

We have now been made aware of a problem regarding the planned move of LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 44871 to the Railway that may well prevent the Black 5 attending the Gala event. The organising team will know more in the next few days and the railway will let you know as soon as we have confirmation on whether or not the locomotive can join the gala fleet and whether we can arrange an alternative visitor, although finding a replacement is very unlikely at this late stage.

Please be rest assured that we our doing our very best to put on a great event, albeit a very different one to what we had planned, so we will revise the pricing appropriately depending on the outcome of our efforts over the coming days.

We will post updates on situation on the website (www.kwvr.co.uk) as well as via Twitter (@worthvalley) and our Facebook page.

Déja vu for Winter Steam Gala

In what feels like a case of déja vu, we are sorry to report that we have been contacted by the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group, owners of K1 62005, to advise that the locomotive can no longer attend the Winter steam Gala due to on going maintenance work. This follows on from the extreme difficulties we faced for the 2015 Autumn Steam Spectacular, when guest locomotives were prevented from coming the event due to bridge problems in Keighley, which still persist, and gauging issues on Network Rail.

Event organisers are currently working hard to try and locate a suitable replacement locomotive for the event. Please note that until the final line-up is announced, there will be a delay in issuing the working timetables for the event.

In the event that we cannot find a suitable replacement for 62005, there remains the visit of a ‘Black 5’ – now likely to be 44871, courtesy of Ian Riley – and the debut of Taff Vale 85 in its new fully lined TVR livery. Still an event not to be missed with 7 locomotives in use on a mixture of local passenger workings, express train services and branch-line freights!

Announcements will be made if a suitable replacement for 62005 is hired, keep a look out on our main website for further developments.

2016 Winter Steam Gala Update

Being held over the weekend of 26th – 28th February up dated information is now available on the main KWVR website.

As previously announced the Gala should feature the return to the KWVR of LMS, class 5MT 4-6-0 45212, now nearing the end of its overhaul at Ian Riley Engineering at Bury, the Railway. The boiler has now gone back into the frames and the locomotive may still attend the Gala although, even if complete, mainline clearance may not be obtained in time for it to attend. In the event that 45212 is not completed in time, Ian Riley will be sending either of his mainline ‘Black 5’s’ 44871 or 45407 (seen here in tandem on the Settle & Carlisle Railway, 23/01/2016) , with the former currently in the frame.

Further announcements will be made in due course, so keep tuned in to our website for further news of the Winter Steam Gala

2016 Winter Steam Gala Update

Being held over the weekend of 26th – 28th February up dated information is now available on the main KWVR website.

As advised, in addition to current operating locomotives from the home fleet, the Gala will feature:
The North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group’s LNER Peppercorn K1 2-6-0 62005 in this the 50th Anniversary year of NELPG.
Returning to the KWVR, LMS, class 5MT 4-6-0 45212, now nearing the end of its overhaul at Ian Riley Engineering at Bury, the Railway
Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2 tank no.85 (fully lined out in TVR livery for the first time in preservation)

Unfortunately due to maintenance requirements on WD 2-8-0 90733, the locomotive will not now participate as originally advertised.

Further announcements will be made in due course, so keep tuned in to our website for further news of the Winter Steam Gala

2016 Winter Steam Gala Update

Being held over the weekend of 26th – 28th February, other than the regular home fleet, which will include for the first time since overhaul of Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2 tank no.85 (fully lined out in TVR livery for the first time in preservation) and the return to the KWVR of LMS, class 5MT 4-6-0 45212, now nearing the end of its overhaul at Ian Riley Engineering at Bury, the Railway is pleased to announce that the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group have agreed to send their LNER Peppercorn K1 2-6-0 62005 to the Railway for the Winter Steam Gala in February.

62005 will be joining us in 2016, a year in which the NELPG celebrates its 50th Annivsersary, being formed one year after the KWVR. The locomotive is a regular mainline performer, especially on The Jacobite train from Fort William to Mallaig and, like 45212, will arrive on the Railway via our mainline connection at Keighley.

Further announcements will be made in due course, so keep tuned in to our website for further news of the Winter Steam Gala

2016 Winter Steam Gala Update

Following a series of difficulties prior to the Autumn Steam Spectacular which resulted in there being no visiting locomotives, the organisers are beavering away to ensure that the first KWVR Gala of the year, does not suffer the same fate.

Being held over the weekend of 26th – 28th February, other than the regular home fleet, which will include for the first time since overhaul, Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2 tank no.85, the Railway is delighted to announce that another ‘home’ locomotive will be making its debut following overhaul, with the return to steam (and the Worth Valley) of LMS, class 5MT 4-6-0 45212, now nearing the end of its overhaul at Ian Riley Engineering at Bury.

45212 is being returned to mainline running by Ian Riley, and subject to completion of the overhaul, will arrive on the Railway via our mainline connection at Keighley.

Further announcements will be made in due course, so keep tuned in to our website for further news of the Winter Steam Gala