The Gwili Railway in Carmarthenshire has announced the second locomotive that will make a guest appearance at their spring gala on the 15th and 16th of March.

No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor will be attending the event thanks to a collaborative effort between the Erlestoke Manor Fund and its home on the Severn Valley Railway.

Its visit is not only part of Railway 200 but is marking a more poignant anniversary, which is the 60th Anniversary in which the last Manor ran between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth before passenger services were withdrawn.

The news is very much welcomed by the Gwili Railway, having already announced the appearance of No.5521/ L150 from the Epping Ongar Railway.

With the final running of 64xx No.6430, which is on long-term loan to the railway, it will be the first time in Gwili’s 40-year preservation history that three GWR locomotives have run on the railway at the same time.

To give it more of an authentic feel, the three locomotives also represent some of the most common locomotives that used to be seen around South-West Wales.

Another highlight of the weekend will see the launch into service of the newly-restored British Railways MK1 compartment coach as part of Fox & Edwards Events’.

At the time of writing, the timetable for the event is yet to be finalised, but tickets have already gone on sale online, with £30 being the cost for an adult day rover ticket.

This gala event has cost over £30,000 to hold and is expected to draw many people, not just those who live locally but enthusiasts from across the country.

The opportunity to ride behind a Manor on part of the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line for the first time in 60 years will be too good an opportunity not to be missed.