This was an enjoyable very busy Gala, that was visited on Friday by Wings & Wheels Society members Rob, Paul, Nick, and Myself (as well as many other members over the weekend, travelling up to the Gala by train and car). The gala had starring visiting locos Terrier Tank 72 "Fenchurch" (built 1872), Lambton Tank 29 (built 1904, a powerful locomotive with has much tractive effort as a LMS Black Five Loco, but not as fast!), and GWR Pannier Tank 1369. Over this intense four-day gala appearing alongside the visiting locomotives, it was great to see (recently returned to service from a long overhaul) Stanier Mogul 13268 looking stunning in its LMS lined black livery and bearing its original number, and the SVR's flagship locomotive 4930 "Hagley Hall", also Bulleid Pacific 21C127 "Taw Valley" in War time black, was also making a temporary return to service to cover for GWR 6880 "Betton Grange" that sadly couldn't attend this gala. Also GWR 7812 "Erlestoke Manor" was running, and one of our other favourites on the line BR Standard 4 loco 75069 in shiny BR black was in good form. Even the SVR's original station at Erdington, now restored once again was open during this special event, which we visited (but not as planned – read on). So in the morning after a few SVR train moves Rob and I met up with our good friends Nick and Paul in the Gresley teak coaching stock's ale bar coach behind the mighty Taw Valley and quaffed a pint or so of Bewdley Breweries excellent re-named gala Ales: Fenchurch (Amber & Morish at 4.4%) and Lambton (3.8% Pale and Citrus/Mango) nice touch. After Hampton Lode our different plans for riding photting and videoing, seen us separate for most of the day that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. So on Friday we seen locos No 29 and 1369 working local services and goods trains at the south end of the line, joined by the Class 108 DMU, and No 72 "Fenchurch" working local services at the north end of the line from Bridgenorth, stopping at Erdington Station. Rob and I were lucky to board an early local service (that was literally crammed with punters) with star loco Terrier tank Fenchurch at the helm that absolutely thrashed (the small 2 coach train) up Erdington bank, also as you can see in the photo edit, we had to get off the train at Erdington to let some passengers off that were wedged in behind us on the train! allowing me to get a shot of No 72 at the newly restored station, and then wedge back on the train, to its destination at Hampton Lode (where I purchased an SR wagon plate too!). After travelling behind nearly all gala rostered engines at Fridays event, except 7812, we ended our day with a full on thrash from Lambton Colliery No 29 0-6-2T to Kidderminster on the local train, where we had plenty of time to get some shots of it nearby 60532 "Blue Peter" (1948-built LNER A2 Pacific) that was on static display at Kidderminster Station for the event, after testing for its mainline return to service. A nice pint of Bewdley Breweries Ale again, and chat to our fellow gricers in the SVR's King and Castle Bar ended our day very nicely, with a following relaxed journey back home to Cam & Dursley by train, taking in the sunny semaphore signals still in use at Worcester Shrub Hill Station (see final photos). Wings & Wheels Society members that attended the SVR gala would like to thank the very friendly volunteers, bar staff, engine owners and all involved for putting on such an excellent well run mega spring steam event, well done all from W&W's and Friends.
Copyright of all pictures in this gallery belong to R Kelsey.