The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, the only complete branch line in the UK is well renowned for holding their annual Autumn 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.
Headlining the event was BR 4MT No.75078 featuring at its first Autumn Steam Gala since returning to steam at Haworth in February 2015. Built in 1956, BR 4MT No.75078 is one of a class of 80 engines built to a Standard Design for British Railways. BR 4MT No.75078 spent it's early career working on the Southern Region, due to a lack of watering facilities it required a larger tank to carry water hence the reason for the bigger tender. No.75078 was withdrawn in 1966 at Eastleigh Shed and sold for scrap, the Standard Four Locomotive Society however purchased the engine in 1972 and later moved it to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. After a long overhaul at Haworth BR 4MT No.75078 returned to hauling passenger services at the KWVR during February 2015. The Autumn Gala saw the first appearance of the engine in its complete BR lined out livery.
Unfortunately due to gauging issues around Keighley Great Western 49XX No.4936 'Kinlet Hall' was unable to visit the railway for the event. GWR No.4936 'Kinlet Hall' was built in June 1929 at Swindon Works and could be seen hauling a mixture of passenger and freight services over the Great Western network. Having accumulated over one million miles, 'Kinlet Hall' was withdrawn from service by British Railways in 1964 and sold for scrap. In 1981 'Kinlet Hall' was purchased and the long restoration began, 'Kinlet Hall' first returned to service in 2000.
Over the weekend, resident engine BR 8F No.90733 was be re-numbered as No.90711. BR 8F No.90711 was once based at Bradford Low Moor Shed and hauled the demolition trains over the Queensbury Branch. A photo charter is also featured of BR 8F No.90733 (as No.90711) at the railway from over the weekend hauling a branch line freight service.
Unfortunately SR West Country No.34092 'City Of Wells' wasn't able to make it back to the railway in time for the Autumn Steam Gala due to bridge problems around Ingrow. Despite the troubles of getting engines to the railway, the railway pulled off a very enjoyable gala featuring a collection of passenger, freight, express and vintage services.
Running over the cold, damp mornings of October 2015 a collection of engines tackled the steep gradients from Keighley to Oxenhope.
Footage is included from throughout the event and features all the engines that ran at the event. Trackside footage is included, an aspect not available to the general public. A wide collection of freight, vintage, express and passenger services are also featured throughout the DVD.
Bonus Footage:
Despite many attempts to get both SR 34092 and GWR 4936 to the railway it was disappointing to learn that powers outside of the railways control had prevented them arriving at the railway. We have therefore taken the opportunity to include some extra footage, this includes SR West Country No.34092 'City Of Wells' at the East Lancashire Railway and North Yorkshire Moors Railway during the summer of 2015 during its '2015 UK tour'. Plus GWR 49XX No.4936 'Kinlet Hall' at previous visits to the North Norfolk Railway and Severn Valley Railway.
Some of the steam engines featured on the DVD include:
The DVD is £10.39, or if you prefer you can select the Blu-ray format at £12.99. Please note you will need a Blu-ray player or PlayStation 3 to play a Blu-ray disc.
Produced by - Steaming Around Yorkshire
Running time - 60 Minutes approx
Format - 16:9 Widescreen UK PAL
DVD and Blu-ray
Released - October 2015
