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Steam Gala events - Sep 2026
- Sun 13 Sep 2026 Didcot Railway Centre (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
11-13 September 2026
Join us for a multi engine event, with tours of some of our normally closed areas
We are pleased to announce that the visiting engine for our annual steam gala this year will be 229, The 'Coffee Pot' on loan from The Flour Mill.
229 is a Great Eastern Railway 0-4-0 tank engine built by Neilsons in Glasgow in 1876 and sold by the GER for use in the National Shipyard in Chepstow during the First World War, where it remained until sold by Fairfield Mabey in 1982. After cosmetic restoration it was on display at the North Woolwich Old Station Museum in East London from 1984 until 2008. Upon the shameful closure of the museum by Newham Council the locomotive was returned to the Flour Mill, where it is planned to start a full overhaul to working order in 2013.
This fabulous little engine is among the oldest steam locomotives in working order - and one of the smallest, weighing just 21 tons.
The name 'Coffee Pot', or 'Flat-Top', is thanks to its unusual flat-shaped water tank and it is Great Eastern Railway '209' class 0-4-0ST no. 229. A truly delightful locomotive, it has been meticulously returned to working order for the first time in nearly 70 years by owner Bill Parker and his team at the Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
Join us for an exciting weekend and celebrate steam with this multi-engine event. See autotrain operations, freight trains, shunting demonstrations, plus tours of our workshop areas, usually closed to the public. See some of the features of our site in operation, including our signal box, traverser, turntable and coal stage.
This is a great way to travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this 24-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s.
Steam trains will be operating on both demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides. Check our Locomotive Roster to see what we expect to be running on the date of your visit.
Didcot Railway Centre
- Sun 13 Sep 2026 Swanage Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Friday 11 September to Sunday 13 September 2026
Locomotive Lineup
31806
U Class 31806
Based at the Swanage Railway
34070
Battle of Britain Class 34070 "Manston"
Based at the Swanage Railway
563
LSWR T3 Class 563
Based at the Swanage Railway
60163
A1 Class 60163 "Tornado"
Owned by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust
First locomotive to reach 100mph since the end of steam on the mainline!
34072
Battle of Britain Class 34072 "257 Squadron"
Based at the Swanage Railway
Swanage Railway
- Sun 13 Sep 2026 Leighton Buzzard Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Sun 13 Sep 2026 Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways (Steam Gala) More...
- Super Power Weekend
Friday 11 September to Sunday 13 September 2026
- Thu 17 Sep 2026 Severn Valley Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 September 2026
The annual Autumn Steam Gala returns in September!
What to expect at the Autumn Steam Gala? Our four day festival of steam will feature both guest and home-fleet locomotives operating a busy timetable between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. If you love steam, this is the place to be! Ride behind every locomotive, visit The Engine House at Highley to break your day, or sample the finest real-ales in our pubs, as you experience the Severn Valley at its steamiest!
We have our fingers crossed for the anticipated gala debut of newly restored Prairie tank GWR No 4150.
Joining the line-up will be Ivatt Class 2 tank locomotive No 41313, appearing courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The visit marks several notable milestones, including the locomotive's first-ever appearance at the Severn Valley Railway and the first visit by an Isle of Wight-based locomotive to the line. It will also become only the third member of the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2 tank family to visit the SVR in preservation.
We're pleased that BR(W) Pannier Tank 9681 will also be joining us for the Autumn Steam Gala (17-20 September). With the chance to pair up with our own BR Pannier Tank 7714, we are sure that 9681 is going to be a real draw for our passengers. We are grateful to the Dean Forest Locomotive Group for the hire of their locomotive, and to Dean Forest Railway for making the locomotive available.
Our final two visitors to the event will be LMS 'Royal Scot' 46115 Scots Guardsman and GWR '2884' 3850. We are incredibly grateful to West Coast Railways, the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, and Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd for making the locomotives available at such short notice.
Severn Valley Railway
- Fri 18 Sep 2026 Severn Valley Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 September 2026
The annual Autumn Steam Gala returns in September!
What to expect at the Autumn Steam Gala? Our four day festival of steam will feature both guest and home-fleet locomotives operating a busy timetable between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. If you love steam, this is the place to be! Ride behind every locomotive, visit The Engine House at Highley to break your day, or sample the finest real-ales in our pubs, as you experience the Severn Valley at its steamiest!
We have our fingers crossed for the anticipated gala debut of newly restored Prairie tank GWR No 4150.
Joining the line-up will be Ivatt Class 2 tank locomotive No 41313, appearing courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The visit marks several notable milestones, including the locomotive's first-ever appearance at the Severn Valley Railway and the first visit by an Isle of Wight-based locomotive to the line. It will also become only the third member of the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2 tank family to visit the SVR in preservation.
We're pleased that BR(W) Pannier Tank 9681 will also be joining us for the Autumn Steam Gala (17-20 September). With the chance to pair up with our own BR Pannier Tank 7714, we are sure that 9681 is going to be a real draw for our passengers. We are grateful to the Dean Forest Locomotive Group for the hire of their locomotive, and to Dean Forest Railway for making the locomotive available.
Our final two visitors to the event will be LMS 'Royal Scot' 46115 Scots Guardsman and GWR '2884' 3850. We are incredibly grateful to West Coast Railways, the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, and Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd for making the locomotives available at such short notice.
Severn Valley Railway
- Sat 19 Sep 2026 Apedale Valley Light Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- September Railway Gala
September 19th @ 11:30 am - September 20th 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Our traditional autumn railway gala, with the usual format for an Apedale Gala - lots of steam, lots of movements, lots to see!
Full details will be announced later in 2026 - but just mark this one in your diary!
HRA passes will not be valid. Trains will run from 1130 until 1600 on both days.
Apedale Valley Light Railway
- Sat 19 Sep 2026 Severn Valley Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 September 2026
The annual Autumn Steam Gala returns in September!
What to expect at the Autumn Steam Gala? Our four day festival of steam will feature both guest and home-fleet locomotives operating a busy timetable between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. If you love steam, this is the place to be! Ride behind every locomotive, visit The Engine House at Highley to break your day, or sample the finest real-ales in our pubs, as you experience the Severn Valley at its steamiest!
We have our fingers crossed for the anticipated gala debut of newly restored Prairie tank GWR No 4150.
Joining the line-up will be Ivatt Class 2 tank locomotive No 41313, appearing courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The visit marks several notable milestones, including the locomotive's first-ever appearance at the Severn Valley Railway and the first visit by an Isle of Wight-based locomotive to the line. It will also become only the third member of the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2 tank family to visit the SVR in preservation.
We're pleased that BR(W) Pannier Tank 9681 will also be joining us for the Autumn Steam Gala (17-20 September). With the chance to pair up with our own BR Pannier Tank 7714, we are sure that 9681 is going to be a real draw for our passengers. We are grateful to the Dean Forest Locomotive Group for the hire of their locomotive, and to Dean Forest Railway for making the locomotive available.
Our final two visitors to the event will be LMS 'Royal Scot' 46115 Scots Guardsman and GWR '2884' 3850. We are incredibly grateful to West Coast Railways, the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, and Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd for making the locomotives available at such short notice.
Severn Valley Railway
- Sun 20 Sep 2026 Apedale Valley Light Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- September Railway Gala
September 19th @ 11:30 am - September 20th 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Our traditional autumn railway gala, with the usual format for an Apedale Gala - lots of steam, lots of movements, lots to see!
Full details will be announced later in 2026 - but just mark this one in your diary!
HRA passes will not be valid. Trains will run from 1130 until 1600 on both days.
Apedale Valley Light Railway
- Sun 20 Sep 2026 Severn Valley Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 17 - Sunday 20 September 2026
The annual Autumn Steam Gala returns in September!
What to expect at the Autumn Steam Gala? Our four day festival of steam will feature both guest and home-fleet locomotives operating a busy timetable between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. If you love steam, this is the place to be! Ride behind every locomotive, visit The Engine House at Highley to break your day, or sample the finest real-ales in our pubs, as you experience the Severn Valley at its steamiest!
We have our fingers crossed for the anticipated gala debut of newly restored Prairie tank GWR No 4150.
Joining the line-up will be Ivatt Class 2 tank locomotive No 41313, appearing courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The visit marks several notable milestones, including the locomotive's first-ever appearance at the Severn Valley Railway and the first visit by an Isle of Wight-based locomotive to the line. It will also become only the third member of the Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2 tank family to visit the SVR in preservation.
We're pleased that BR(W) Pannier Tank 9681 will also be joining us for the Autumn Steam Gala (17-20 September). With the chance to pair up with our own BR Pannier Tank 7714, we are sure that 9681 is going to be a real draw for our passengers. We are grateful to the Dean Forest Locomotive Group for the hire of their locomotive, and to Dean Forest Railway for making the locomotive available.
Our final two visitors to the event will be LMS 'Royal Scot' 46115 Scots Guardsman and GWR '2884' 3850. We are incredibly grateful to West Coast Railways, the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, and Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd for making the locomotives available at such short notice.
Severn Valley Railway
- Thu 24 Sep 2026 North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 24 September 2026 to Sunday 27 September 2026
Annual Steam Gala
24th - 27th Sept 2026
09:30 - 18:30
No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
No. 563 T3 Class
No. 4079 Pendennis Castle
Up to 8 home-fleet steam locomotives
Goathland Station Beer Festival
Multi-day Hop-on Hop-off Tickets
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Fri 25 Sep 2026 North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 24 September 2026 to Sunday 27 September 2026
Annual Steam Gala
24th - 27th Sept 2026
09:30 - 18:30
No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
No. 563 T3 Class
No. 4079 Pendennis Castle
Up to 8 home-fleet steam locomotives
Goathland Station Beer Festival
Multi-day Hop-on Hop-off Tickets
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Fri 25 Sep 2026 West Somerset Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Weekend
Friday 25th September- Sunday 27th September 2026
Join us as the much-loved Autumn Steam Weekend returns to mark a special milestone ? 50 years of the WSR in preservation. We're delighted to welcome an exciting lineup of visiting and home fleet locomotives, making this a must-see event for steam enthusiasts and families alike.
Across all three days, an intensive timetable will keep the action moving, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore our beautifully preserved stations, ride behind iconic engines, and take in the stunning autumn scenery along England's longest heritage railway.
The whole railway comes alive for the weekend, with museums, heritage displays, and model railways open throughout ? perfect for visitors of all ages. And with steam engines against a backdrop of autumn colour, don't forget your camera!
The full locomotive line up will be:
- LNWR Coal Tank no.1054
- GWR Large Prairie no.4110
- LMS Ivatt 2MT Tank no.41313
- Guest Loco TBA
- GWR 78XX no.7802 'Bradley Manor'
- GWR 78XX no.7812 'Erlestoke Manor'
- GWR 78XX no.7828 'Odney Manor'
- WSR Mogul no.9351
- Andrew Barclay Fireless no.1984 'Boots no1'
- Hudswell Clark no.1857
All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability.
West Somerset Railway
- Fri 25 Sep 2026 Blaenavon's Heritage Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Industrial Steam of South Wales II Gala
Friday 25th / Saturday 26th / Sunday 27th September 2026
Our Steam Gala returns for 2026.
The only steam gala in South Wales this year.
This year sees our second Industrial Steam of South Wales Gala, the last having taken place 15 years ago in 2011.
Join us for three incredible days of steam power in the Eastern Valley of Wales, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Expect to hear the engines working hard as they power up our steep gradients. An intensive timetable will be in operation with both passenger and demonstration freight trains operating.
?This year's line up will feature locomotives that originally worked in South Wales.
Visiting Locomotive Announcement.
We are delighted to announce the first visiting locomotive for the gala - GWR Pannier Tank No 7754.
Built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow for the GWR in 1930, 7754 was allocated to Reading, Old Oak Common and finally Wellington (Shropshire).
Following withdrawal from service in January 1959, the locomotive was sold to the National Coal Board, where it first worked at Talywain Colliery, approximately just 3 miles down the valley from our railway
A few months later 7754 was transferred to Mountain Ash, travelling their over BR metals in a freight train. It worked alongside our recently overhauled locomotive No. 2074 'Llantarnam Abbey' and stored locomotive No. 1680 'Sir John'.
7754 was the last surviving 5700 class locomotive in industrial service and was later donated by the NCB to National Museum Wales, who placed it on permanent loan to the Llangollen Railway. The locomotive is now owned by the Llangollen Railway Trust.
We still have TWO more former South Wales locomotives to announce - subject to agreements and availability.
Details will be announced shortly.
- Sat 26 Sep 2026 North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 24 September 2026 to Sunday 27 September 2026
Annual Steam Gala
24th - 27th Sept 2026
09:30 - 18:30
No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
No. 563 T3 Class
No. 4079 Pendennis Castle
Up to 8 home-fleet steam locomotives
Goathland Station Beer Festival
Multi-day Hop-on Hop-off Tickets
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Sat 26 Sep 2026 West Somerset Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Weekend
Friday 25th September- Sunday 27th September 2026
Join us as the much-loved Autumn Steam Weekend returns to mark a special milestone ? 50 years of the WSR in preservation. We're delighted to welcome an exciting lineup of visiting and home fleet locomotives, making this a must-see event for steam enthusiasts and families alike.
Across all three days, an intensive timetable will keep the action moving, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore our beautifully preserved stations, ride behind iconic engines, and take in the stunning autumn scenery along England's longest heritage railway.
The whole railway comes alive for the weekend, with museums, heritage displays, and model railways open throughout ? perfect for visitors of all ages. And with steam engines against a backdrop of autumn colour, don't forget your camera!
The full locomotive line up will be:
- LNWR Coal Tank no.1054
- GWR Large Prairie no.4110
- LMS Ivatt 2MT Tank no.41313
- Guest Loco TBA
- GWR 78XX no.7802 'Bradley Manor'
- GWR 78XX no.7812 'Erlestoke Manor'
- GWR 78XX no.7828 'Odney Manor'
- WSR Mogul no.9351
- Andrew Barclay Fireless no.1984 'Boots no1'
- Hudswell Clark no.1857
All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability.
West Somerset Railway
- Sat 26 Sep 2026 Blaenavon's Heritage Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Industrial Steam of South Wales II Gala
Friday 25th / Saturday 26th / Sunday 27th September 2026
Our Steam Gala returns for 2026.
The only steam gala in South Wales this year.
This year sees our second Industrial Steam of South Wales Gala, the last having taken place 15 years ago in 2011.
Join us for three incredible days of steam power in the Eastern Valley of Wales, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Expect to hear the engines working hard as they power up our steep gradients. An intensive timetable will be in operation with both passenger and demonstration freight trains operating.
?This year's line up will feature locomotives that originally worked in South Wales.
Visiting Locomotive Announcement.
We are delighted to announce the first visiting locomotive for the gala - GWR Pannier Tank No 7754.
Built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow for the GWR in 1930, 7754 was allocated to Reading, Old Oak Common and finally Wellington (Shropshire).
Following withdrawal from service in January 1959, the locomotive was sold to the National Coal Board, where it first worked at Talywain Colliery, approximately just 3 miles down the valley from our railway
A few months later 7754 was transferred to Mountain Ash, travelling their over BR metals in a freight train. It worked alongside our recently overhauled locomotive No. 2074 'Llantarnam Abbey' and stored locomotive No. 1680 'Sir John'.
7754 was the last surviving 5700 class locomotive in industrial service and was later donated by the NCB to National Museum Wales, who placed it on permanent loan to the Llangollen Railway. The locomotive is now owned by the Llangollen Railway Trust.
We still have TWO more former South Wales locomotives to announce - subject to agreements and availability.
Details will be announced shortly.
- Sat 26 Sep 2026 Lynton & Barnstaple Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Gala
Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September 2026
Autumn Gala 2026
Visiting Steam Tram 'Thomas Telford' confirmed! Courtesy of the Telford Steam Railway!
Telford Steam Railway
Our 2026 Autumn Gala takes place on the 26th and 27th September.
This year, we celebrate 75 years of narrow-gauge railway preservation, showcasing the remarkable breadth and diversity of the movement. Taking place over the final weekend of September, the gala also continues our traditional commemoration of the closure of the iconic Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.
This year we have two very special and unusual guest engines which, along with our home fleet, represents the wide spectrum that covers narrow gauge heritage.
The 'Thomas Telford' steam tram, which was highly commended at this year's Heritage Railway Association Awards makes a rare trip away from the Telford Steam Railway visiting the Southwest for the first time and, Lister Railtruck 11410, formerly a sewage works locomotive, joins us from a private collection in Devon.
- Sat 26 Sep 2026 Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Gala Weekend
Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September 2026
The Railway will be holding its annual Gala Weekend on Saturday 26 & 27th September 2026. There will be regular trains pulled by steam, diesel & electric locomotives.
'Rhoda the Roller' will be in steam and there will be other attractions which will be confirmed closer to the date of the event.
Timetable
Trains will depart Sittingbourne Viaduct station (where you start your journey) at:
10.40am - Premier (steam) on a mixed passenger & freight train
11am - Melior (steam) with the Bowater coaches passenger train
12pm - Hunslet (diesel) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train - the first time this locomotive has hauled a passenger train at this Railway from Sittingbourne Viaduct to Kemsley Down
12.55pm - Tank II (electric) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train - the first time this locomotive has hauled a passenger train at this Railway from Sittingbourne Viaduct to Kemsley Down
1.40pm - Hunslet (diesel) with the clamshell wagons on a freight train (no passengers)
2.05pm - Melior (steam) on a mixed passenger & freight train
2.45pm - Premier (steam) with the Bowaters coaches on a passenger train
3.25pm - Victor (diesel) with the Bowaters coaches on a passenger train
4.10pm - Melior (steam) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
Trains will depart from Kemsley Down at:
11.20am - Hunslet (diesel) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train - the first time this locomotive has hauled a passenger train at this Railway from Kemsley Down to Sittingbourne Viaduct
11.40am - Tank II (battery) with the clamshell wagons on a freight train (no passengers)
12.30pm - Hunslet (diesel) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
1.20pm - Melior (steam) and Premier (steam) double-headed to Milton Regis, where Melior will uncouple and run to Sittingbourne Viaduct station ahead of Premier and the mixed passenger & freight train continuing to Sittingbourne Viaduct station (arrives at 1.40pm)
2.05pm - Victor (diesel) and the Bowater coaches on a passenger train
2.45pm - Melior (steam) and the Bowater coaches on a passenger train
3.50pm - Premier (steam) and the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
4.45pm - Victor (diesel) and the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
5.05pm - Premier (steam) and Melior (steam) double-headed to Milton Regis, where Premier will uncouple and run to Sittingbourne Viaduct station ahead of Melior and the mixed passenger & freight train continuing to Sittingbourne Viaduct station (arrives at 5.25pm)
Trains will be first come, first served whether using online or pay-on-the-day tickets. To buy online tickets, click on the image below by 5pm the day before travel.
Please arrive at Sittingbourne Viaduct station 10-15 minutes earlier to buy or collect your tickets. We expect the first three trains to be very busy.
2026 Fares
£10 return for adults or £15 for a rover ticket
£5 return for children (3-15) or £10 for a rover ticket
Infants aged under 3 travel free
£9 return for senior citizens or £14 for a rover ticket
£27 for families (2 adults and 4 children)
£2 for adult SKLR members
£1 for child SKLR family members.
- Sun 27 Sep 2026 North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Gala
Thursday 24 September 2026 to Sunday 27 September 2026
Annual Steam Gala
24th - 27th Sept 2026
09:30 - 18:30
No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
No. 563 T3 Class
No. 4079 Pendennis Castle
Up to 8 home-fleet steam locomotives
Goathland Station Beer Festival
Multi-day Hop-on Hop-off Tickets
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Sun 27 Sep 2026 West Somerset Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Steam Weekend
Friday 25th September- Sunday 27th September 2026
Join us as the much-loved Autumn Steam Weekend returns to mark a special milestone ? 50 years of the WSR in preservation. We're delighted to welcome an exciting lineup of visiting and home fleet locomotives, making this a must-see event for steam enthusiasts and families alike.
Across all three days, an intensive timetable will keep the action moving, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore our beautifully preserved stations, ride behind iconic engines, and take in the stunning autumn scenery along England's longest heritage railway.
The whole railway comes alive for the weekend, with museums, heritage displays, and model railways open throughout ? perfect for visitors of all ages. And with steam engines against a backdrop of autumn colour, don't forget your camera!
The full locomotive line up will be:
- LNWR Coal Tank no.1054
- GWR Large Prairie no.4110
- LMS Ivatt 2MT Tank no.41313
- Guest Loco TBA
- GWR 78XX no.7802 'Bradley Manor'
- GWR 78XX no.7812 'Erlestoke Manor'
- GWR 78XX no.7828 'Odney Manor'
- WSR Mogul no.9351
- Andrew Barclay Fireless no.1984 'Boots no1'
- Hudswell Clark no.1857
All locomotives and attractions are subject to availability.
West Somerset Railway
- Sun 27 Sep 2026 Blaenavon's Heritage Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Industrial Steam of South Wales II Gala
Friday 25th / Saturday 26th / Sunday 27th September 2026
Our Steam Gala returns for 2026.
The only steam gala in South Wales this year.
This year sees our second Industrial Steam of South Wales Gala, the last having taken place 15 years ago in 2011.
Join us for three incredible days of steam power in the Eastern Valley of Wales, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Expect to hear the engines working hard as they power up our steep gradients. An intensive timetable will be in operation with both passenger and demonstration freight trains operating.
?This year's line up will feature locomotives that originally worked in South Wales.
Visiting Locomotive Announcement.
We are delighted to announce the first visiting locomotive for the gala - GWR Pannier Tank No 7754.
Built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow for the GWR in 1930, 7754 was allocated to Reading, Old Oak Common and finally Wellington (Shropshire).
Following withdrawal from service in January 1959, the locomotive was sold to the National Coal Board, where it first worked at Talywain Colliery, approximately just 3 miles down the valley from our railway
A few months later 7754 was transferred to Mountain Ash, travelling their over BR metals in a freight train. It worked alongside our recently overhauled locomotive No. 2074 'Llantarnam Abbey' and stored locomotive No. 1680 'Sir John'.
7754 was the last surviving 5700 class locomotive in industrial service and was later donated by the NCB to National Museum Wales, who placed it on permanent loan to the Llangollen Railway. The locomotive is now owned by the Llangollen Railway Trust.
We still have TWO more former South Wales locomotives to announce - subject to agreements and availability.
Details will be announced shortly.
- Sun 27 Sep 2026 Lynton & Barnstaple Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Autumn Gala
Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September 2026
Autumn Gala 2026
Visiting Steam Tram 'Thomas Telford' confirmed! Courtesy of the Telford Steam Railway!
Telford Steam Railway
Our 2026 Autumn Gala takes place on the 26th and 27th September.
This year, we celebrate 75 years of narrow-gauge railway preservation, showcasing the remarkable breadth and diversity of the movement. Taking place over the final weekend of September, the gala also continues our traditional commemoration of the closure of the iconic Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.
This year we have two very special and unusual guest engines which, along with our home fleet, represents the wide spectrum that covers narrow gauge heritage.
The 'Thomas Telford' steam tram, which was highly commended at this year's Heritage Railway Association Awards makes a rare trip away from the Telford Steam Railway visiting the Southwest for the first time and, Lister Railtruck 11410, formerly a sewage works locomotive, joins us from a private collection in Devon.
- Sun 27 Sep 2026 Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway (Steam Gala) More...
- Gala Weekend
Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September 2026
The Railway will be holding its annual Gala Weekend on Saturday 26 & 27th September 2026. There will be regular trains pulled by steam, diesel & electric locomotives.
'Rhoda the Roller' will be in steam and there will be other attractions which will be confirmed closer to the date of the event.
Timetable
Trains will depart Sittingbourne Viaduct station (where you start your journey) at:
10.40am - Premier (steam) on a mixed passenger & freight train
11am - Melior (steam) with the Bowater coaches passenger train
12pm - Hunslet (diesel) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train - the first time this locomotive has hauled a passenger train at this Railway from Sittingbourne Viaduct to Kemsley Down
12.55pm - Tank II (electric) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train - the first time this locomotive has hauled a passenger train at this Railway from Sittingbourne Viaduct to Kemsley Down
1.40pm - Hunslet (diesel) with the clamshell wagons on a freight train (no passengers)
2.05pm - Melior (steam) on a mixed passenger & freight train
2.45pm - Premier (steam) with the Bowaters coaches on a passenger train
3.25pm - Victor (diesel) with the Bowaters coaches on a passenger train
4.10pm - Melior (steam) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
Trains will depart from Kemsley Down at:
11.20am - Hunslet (diesel) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train - the first time this locomotive has hauled a passenger train at this Railway from Kemsley Down to Sittingbourne Viaduct
11.40am - Tank II (battery) with the clamshell wagons on a freight train (no passengers)
12.30pm - Hunslet (diesel) with the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
1.20pm - Melior (steam) and Premier (steam) double-headed to Milton Regis, where Melior will uncouple and run to Sittingbourne Viaduct station ahead of Premier and the mixed passenger & freight train continuing to Sittingbourne Viaduct station (arrives at 1.40pm)
2.05pm - Victor (diesel) and the Bowater coaches on a passenger train
2.45pm - Melior (steam) and the Bowater coaches on a passenger train
3.50pm - Premier (steam) and the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
4.45pm - Victor (diesel) and the Chattenden & Upnor Railway coaches on a passenger train
5.05pm - Premier (steam) and Melior (steam) double-headed to Milton Regis, where Premier will uncouple and run to Sittingbourne Viaduct station ahead of Melior and the mixed passenger & freight train continuing to Sittingbourne Viaduct station (arrives at 5.25pm)
Trains will be first come, first served whether using online or pay-on-the-day tickets. To buy online tickets, click on the image below by 5pm the day before travel.
Please arrive at Sittingbourne Viaduct station 10-15 minutes earlier to buy or collect your tickets. We expect the first three trains to be very busy.
2026 Fares
£10 return for adults or £15 for a rover ticket
£5 return for children (3-15) or £10 for a rover ticket
Infants aged under 3 travel free
£9 return for senior citizens or £14 for a rover ticket
£27 for families (2 adults and 4 children)
£2 for adult SKLR members
£1 for child SKLR family members.