Severn Valley Railway - Spring Steam Gala (2023)

Action from the spectacular Severn Valley Railway spring gala featuring three guest engines, with the main star Pendennis Castle wowing the crowds over the three day event. Pendennis also featured alongside the small Great Western Prairie No 4555 which looked very much at home on the former branchline. The final guest was B.R 78018 courtesy of the Great Central Railway which would be seen alongside 4555 working a number of local trains. The homefleet as usual were in attendance, though just the four locos feature in this video, making it seven locos in total which feature in this video. In regards to the homefleet, Taw Valley is now running in a wartime black livery for its final year in ticket and 4930 Hagley Hall is finally seen back in action after its sparky performance on last years Autumn Gala. Also 7812 Erlestoke Manor which is well known to the railway having spent many years along the line, is now due to head to the West Somerset Railway for the Summer due to the lack of available opportunities at the SVR.
The event saw a mix of weather with Friday being the worst with rain persisting throughout the day, though the travelling numbers were exceptionally high for a Friday given the weather forecast. The Saturday also saw good numbers with the best of weather finally showing up, no idea of the loadings for the final day on Sunday. In this video Seven locomotives feature and the action is mainly captured on the Saturday, though there is a few clips thrown in from the first day which were taken at Hampton Loade during our travels onboard. Scenes are not in order and the flavour of the video is most definitely a Great Western one.
I hope you enjoy the action, our favourites throughout the gala were 7812, 4079 and 7714 !
Locos featured
GWR 4079 'Pendennis Castle'
GWR 4555 Small Prairie
B.R Standard '78018'
GWR 4930 'Hagley Hall'
GWR Pannier Tank '7714'
GWR 7812 'Erlestoke Manor'
S.R 2IC127 aka 34027 Taw Valley

[@crompton33022]

It's a brilliant video, so thank you very much.

[@pjd7325]

As a volunteer for over 30 years at the SVR this was one of the best spring galas for a long time. A rear morale boost for volunteers, staff and of course our passengers. Your video show cases the SVR at its very best! The first clip of 4079 climbing towards Eardington Summit from Knowlesands tunnel was superb!

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

Many thanks, We echo your words in regards to the gala and it was certainly morale boosting for all concerned.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I attended the Fridays gala and I’ve caught the 3 locos I was looking for

[@AndreiTupolev]

That opening shot is pretty dramatic!

[@HaydnMillerUK]

Loved the gala so much when I went that day, at 2:18 I was waving to the everyone with their cameras and I even had my own Polaroid camera with black and white film for old fashioned photography.

[@SimonTog]

Super video :)

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Beautiful video well done bye for now Philip

[@michaelformaini7053]

A really great show for this antipeon from Melbourne who visited SVR in September 2018. Thanks for the coverage of this event.🙂

[@Jack_Warner]

Amazing footage. I only wish I could get a track pass, like I could 30 years ago. I went to the Autumn Diesel gala last week, but getting access different to everyone else is not easy.

[@fotoline]

So much to love about the SVR. Particularly like the run-bys at 25:02 (it's like a postcard view or "Steam Railway" cover) through to the "riding off into the sunset" view at the end. The run-by starting at 25:50 caught me off guard as the perspective had changed to looking away. It has the look and sound of big-time railroading, with the axles near eye level. Really appreciate the work that went into all of this, including finding the "quiet" spots. I hope everyone that is watching will support the SVR's online fundraising campaign, if like me you are unable to attend in person this year.

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

Many thanks Photoline for your extensive comment. We have no doubt that the railway will succeed with its appeal and of course we will be donating without hesitation.

[@dirks.4172]

Brilliant ! Thank you very much for filming and sharing. Best wishes Dirk

[@joshhemingwaythewlismetcalfe96]

Nice video

[@LiamsLocos]

Awesome stuff as always! Great to have a catch up too phil on the Saturday :) Regards, Liam

[@rjas365]

Superb video, thanks Liam and Phil, with a refreshingly different variety of locations. All shots thoroughly enjoyed but the outstanding one for me was 7714 at Northwood Halt. Kind regards, Bob.

[@robertwhite361]

I spent Saturday at the Gala - my first visit to the SVR - and I had a great time. Will be back 😊 !!!

[@EMuksteam]

Excellent video Liam and Phil.. . It looked a fantastic gala. Great coverage, and enjoyable watching. Kind regards C&A

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Beautiful steam footage! What do you use for filming? (Jenny)

[@davidlange3418]

Thank you. As always splendid images and the always invaluable footnotes. Appeared to be a good turnout which is just what the SVR needs of course so fingers crossed for them and all the best to you.

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

Many thanks David, a great show from all concerned as one comes to expect from the SVR !

[@davidchandler7810]

25:02 I was on top on the bridge for that, mega sound from Erlestoke! Glad the orange vest stood at the end of the cutting wasn't you, I see you managed to hide him in the bushes too. ;)

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

It was a good show from 7812 with its new blastpipe. Bushes always come in handy on gala days !

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

Excellent footage there Liam and Phil. Really like the footage of the Castle though.

[@t.m.railways]

Fantastic shots!! I was on the bridge at 25:34! Hope you had a nice weekend 😊

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

Cheers mate, I assume you had a good weekend too ?

[@t.m.railways]

I had a super weekend yes! 😃

[@paulgmarriott]

First class footage and editing, guys. Well done. The gala was exceptionally good, wasn't it? I was there on Saturday and will be back for the autumn steamfest, if not before for a 40s weekend.

[@MarshSteamVideosTM]

Cheers Paul, it certainly had its moments in regards to the weather and there was some excellent performances to boot.

[@barneyward6448]

I think I see myself in this video too! In the bottom right corner at 18:36 in front of that tree.

[@Chepstowion_Adventura]

Friday gala was amazing, weather could been better but worth it at end as manage get photo of erlestroke manor with rainbow in background of it. And for favorite locos, this took me surprise, but taw valley and br standard were some favorites even tho Friday I was meant to focus on GWR engines. But loco the stole show was 4555, we felt like we were flying between Arlen to Bewdley, also the tanks engines I seem get more enjoyment out of.

[@user-wu7nh3pp5e]

Elliot hannaford from you to ,😊👍

[@user-wu7nh3pp5e]

Elliot hannaford from you to day 👍

[@greghilton7797]

What a fantastic day. Lots of people, lots of steam and to top it all off, plenty of liquid sky. Although it was a such a pity to see the poor form from the crew on 21C27 Taw Valley pulling into Hampton Loade with the boiler blowing off. No doubt it was in the station master's report. Then things deteriorated even further with the sun making an appearance in the afternoon. It seems that nostalgia will have to wait a little while longer. A Bewdley little video though. Cheers