Description
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, one of the very few complete branch lines in the UK is well renown for holding their annual Spring Steam Gala. The event is an important event on many enthusiasts calendars for holding a varied range of trains running along the picturesque five mile branch line.
Running over the cold, damp mornings of March 2020 a collection of engines tackled the steep gradients from Keighley to Oxenhope. This DVD features the full round-up of action from throughout the three day event.
The 2020 spring steam gala included the return of LMS ‘Jubilee’ Class 4-6-0 No.45596 ‘Bahamas’, which has rarely steamed since its return in 2019. Visiting the railway for the first time, GWR 41xx ‘Large Prairie’ No.4144 headlined the event from the Didcot Railway Centre.
Gala highlights:
LMS ‘Jubilee’ No.45596 ‘Bahamas’:
Built in 1934 for the LMS as 5596, ‘Bahamas’, was the first of the four Jubilees of the class to be preserved, being purchased by the Bahamas Locomotive Society (BLS), as BR no. 45596, in 1967. ‘Bahamas’ recently underwent overhaul at Tyseley and returned to steam during 2019. ‘Bahamas’ returned throughout the three day event hauling services from Keighley to Oxenhope.
GWR 41xx No.4144:
4144 was built at Swindon in September 1946 and, after almost 19 years service, was withdrawn in March 1965, being sent to Woodham Bros. of Barry for cutting up. GWR 41xx No.4144 survived the scrap yard and returned to steam in 1997. More recently, after a further overhaul, No.4144 returned to steam again in 2015 at Didcot. For the 2019 season, the engine was based at the Severn Valley Railway.
LMS 5MT No.45212:
Returning to the Worth Valley once again was LMS ‘Black 5’ No.45212, having returned to steam in 2016, No.45212 is commonly seen hauling services on the mainline but has spent the winter at the railway.
Footage is included from throughout all three days of the event, with a wide collection of shots at carefully selected locations along the 5 mile branch line. Trackside footage is included throughout the DVD, an aspect not available to the general public. A wide collection of freight, express, passenger and night scenes are featured throughout the DVD.
Bonus footage:
LMS 5MT No.45212 is commonly seen working charter services on the mainline, this DVD includes bonus footage of LMS ‘Black 5’ No.45212 hauling ‘The Jacobite’ which runs from Fort William to Mallaig, in the Scottish Highlands, during September 2019.
Locomotives featured throughout this DVD include:
– GWR 41xx No.4144
– BR 2MT No.78022
– LMS 2MT No.41241
– LMS 5MT No.45212
– LMS 6P No.45596 ‘Bahamas’
– LMS 4F No.43924
– USATC S160 No.5820
– Taff Vale O2 No.85
Product Overview:
This product features no commentary, allowing you to fully appreciate the sound of the steam locomotive working hard. Short titles are included throughout informing you of the date, locomotive and location. Copies of this product last approximately 88 minutes and are available in UK 16:9 widescreen format only.
