Duo to star at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway steam gala

The Great Western Castle Class No 5029 Nunney Castle, and Southern Railway West Country Pacific 34046 Braunton, are headlining at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway steam gala.

Both are former mainline express engines that once hauled some of Britain’s most prestigious services.

Nunney Castle – built at the Great Western Railway’s Swindon works in 1934 – spent much of its working life based in west London, hauling express services out of Paddington, before its withdrawal in 1963.

After a period out of use, it returned to steam in 1990 and has since become a firm favourite with enthusiasts.

Braunton emerged from the Southern Railway’s Brighton works in 1946 and worked express trains from London Waterloo, before being withdrawn in 1965.

After 23 years in storage it too was restored and returned to service, later earning the distinction of hauling the royal train – a role also performed by Nunney Castle during its career.

At the steam gala – which runs from Thursday, March 19, until Sunday, March 22 – the locos will operate alongside the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's home fleet.

Up to seven locomotives are expected to be in traffic across the event.

Services will run along the railway’s five-mile line between Keighley and Oxenhope.

Tom Marshall, marketing officer at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, says the gala has become one of the railway’s premier events.

He says: "The steam gala is among the highlights of our year.

"Welcoming engines like Nunney Castle and Braunton will give visitors the chance to see and hear powerful express locomotives doing what they were built to do.

“It is a major draw for enthusiasts, but it’s also a spectacular and accessible day out for families."

The gala programme also features a traditional goods train demonstration and special double-headed services.

People will have the opportunity to ride on the brake van of a steam-hauled goods train.

And there will be steam crane demonstrations, plus behind-the-scenes shed tours – offering the chance to explore where steam locomotives are maintained, restored and prepared for service.

A range of Rover tickets is available for the gala, from single-day passes to full four-day access.

For further information – including the timetables and ticket option details – go to the website at kwvr.co.uk/events/thesteamgala or call 01535 642418.