Description

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, one of the few remaining complete branch lines in the UK, is renowned for hosting its annual Steam Gala. This four-day event featured nine steam locomotives hauling a variety of goods, passenger and express services. Sit back and enjoy all the action from the event, along with additional footage of the visiting locomotives hauling passenger services on the mainline across the UK.

Tackling the steep gradients between Keighley and Oxenhope, GWR Castle No.5029 ‘Nunney Castle’, SR WC No.34046 ‘Braunton’ and LMS 5MT No.45407 ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’ visited for the event, joining the home fleet of steam locomotives, including ‘Ann’ and ‘Dora’.

Gala highlights and visiting locomotives:
GWR Castle No.5029 ‘Nunney Castle’
Having returned to steam in 2025 after an extensive overhaul at Crewe, the event saw GWR No.5029 ‘Nunney Castle’ haul its first passenger services at a heritage railway since its return. The locomotive made a welcome return, having previously visited the railway in 1994.

SR West Country No.34046 ‘Braunton’
In the final year of its current boiler ticket, SR No.34046 ‘Braunton’ made its debut appearance at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Also based at LSL Crewe, the locomotive can normally be seen hauling mainline charters across the country.

LMS 5MT No.45407 ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’
Normally found in Scotland hauling ‘The Jacobite’ service, LMS 5MT No.45407 ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’ is one of eighteen preserved Black Five locomotives. Arriving late on the evening before the event, the locomotive faced north, offering some alternative and varied shots along the Worth Valley.

Sentinel No.7232 ‘Ann’ and Avonside 1973 ‘Dora’
Having arrived at the railway early in 2025, both locomotives could once again be seen hauling shuttle services between Keighley and Ingrow West with a set of vintage coaches from the Vintage Carriage Trust.

The home fleet of locomotives…
The event also featured multiple locomotives from the home fleet, including BR 2F No.52044, BR 2MT No.78022, LMS 2MT No.41241 and LNWR ‘Coal Tank’ No.1054.

Footage from all four days of the event is included, featuring a wide selection of shots carefully chosen from various locations along the 5-mile branch line. Lineside footage, normally inaccessible to the public, is incorporated throughout. The programme showcases a diverse range of scenes, including early morning shed activity, goods, express, passenger, and night scenes. Aerial videography provides an alternative perspective, capturing scenes from above throughout the product.

Locomotives featured on this product include:
– SR WC-R No.34046 ‘Braunton’
– GWR Castle No.5029 ‘Nunney Castle’
– 7232 Sentinel ‘Ann’
– 1973 Avonside Engine Co Works ‘Dora’
– BR 2MT No.78022
– LMS 2MT No.41241
– LMS 5MT No.45407 ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’
– LNWR ‘Coal Tank’ No.1054
– Lancashire & Yorkshire 2F No.52044

Bonus footage:
Additional footage is captured of each of the visiting locomotives hauling mainline charters across the UK in recent years.