Severn Valley Railway is hosting its Spring Steam Gala from the 16th to the 19th of April.

They have announced that BR 71000 Duke of Gloucester will be visiting for the event, marking the first time that the Class 8P has appeared for public service on a heritage line.

This year’s Gala also marks 50 years since the railway held their first Spring Gala.

Across 2025, the locomotive undertook test runs at the railway before it received a fresh coat of paint.

For the gala, the Duke will appear with resident locomotives such as 4930 Hagley Hall, 7714, and 7802 Bradley Manor.

Further visiting locomotives will be announced soon.

“It’s an honour for the Severn Valley Railway to be chosen as the first heritage railway to host Duke of Gloucester. We’re extremely grateful to the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust and Locomotive Services Group for making the visit possible. ‘Unique’ is an over-used word, but in this case it’s entirely justified. It’s the only one of its type ever built, and the odds against it surviving at all were overwhelming. Its appearance will be a major draw for our gala.

“It’s especially pleasing for us to host 71000, as the current Duke of Gloucester, HRH Prince Richard, is the SVR’s Patron, and takes a keen interest in everything we do. The locomotive was named after his father.”

SVR managing director Gus Dunster