The fourth and final guest locomotive for the Severn Valley Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala has been announced as BR Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80097.

The gala, to be held from Thursday, 17th to Sunday, 20th September, will celebrate the Severn Valley in its pre-preservation days and also feature visiting locomotives Great Western Railway (GWR) Small Prairie No 5526, GWR Pannier Tank No 9681, and Ivatt Class 2MT No 41313, as well as some from the railway’s home fleet.

No. 80097 has a classic British Railways black livery, and is one of preservation’s most inspiring stories.

Built in 1964, it spent its first eight years on the Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness line until that was electrified, and was then worked on the Western Region until 1965, when it was withdrawn and sent to Dai Woodham’s scrapyard at Barry in South Wales.

It was rescued from Barry, and over 200 volunteers spent 34 years repairing and restoring it, which also included the construction of a completely new boiler.

Their efforts were rewarded when 80097 finally entered service on the East Lancashire Railway in 2019, where it has since become a regular sight.

As a British Railways Standard tank engine from the final years of steam, No 80097 is an authentic addition to this year’s pre-preservation theme, representing the type of locomotive that would have been a familiar sight on Britain’s railways, including the Severn Valley, during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

As well as the four guest locomotives, the gala will feature steam locomotives from the railway’s home fleet running to an intensive timetable along the Railway’s 16-mile line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.

More information about the gala, and to purchase advance tickets, go to svr.co.uk.

“We’re delighted that No 80097 will complete our guest locomotive line-up for this year’s Autumn Steam Gala, and we’re extremely grateful to the East Lancashire Railway and the loco’s owners, the Bury Standard 4 Group, for making the visit possible. Every preserved locomotive has an incredible story behind it, and 80097 is a remarkable symbol of endurance, determination and volunteer dedication. After spending twice as long in Barry Scrapyard as it did in British Railways service, it is wonderful to see it back doing exactly what it was built for, and we’re looking forward to seeing it working on the Severn Valley.”

“This year’s Autumn Steam Gala is all about recreating the atmosphere of the Severn Valley before preservation, and the combination of our guest locomotives with home fleet engines, including the expected gala debut of our newly restored GWR Large Prairie No 4150, promises a wonderful four days of steam.

Gus Dunster, Chief Executive Officer, Severn Valley Railway