A ROYAL visitor, star locomotives and all-night steam train services were an ideal recipe for success, making the Severn Valley Railway’s 2015 autumn steam gala one of its busiest ever.

Thousands of visitors flocked to the gala from Thursday to Sunday (September 17 to 20) to celebrate the first of the Railway’s 50th anniversary season finale events, featuring a star line-up of visiting locomotives, working a jam-packed schedule alongside the railway's home fleet of heritage steam engines.

This year’s gala preview day on Thursday was made extra special thanks to a royal visit from the railway's patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, who met a range of the railway’s staff, volunteers, apprentices and founding members.

The Duke unveiled a plaque to mark the railway's golden jubilee, as well as helping to drive a steam train from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade, from the comfort of an autocab, as well as taking a tour of the Bridgnorth locomotive works and boilershop.

Another much-anticipated ‘royal’ visitor came in the shape of world-famous locomotive No. 46100 Royal Scot, which made its debut visit to the Severn Valley Railway, much to the delight of the many steam enthusiasts who had travelled to see the 1927-built locomotive in full-steam following an extensive overhaul.

Lewis Maddox, the railway's event co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to say that the gala was a huge success and though we don’t yet have overall visitor numbers, early indications are that numbers have exceeded expectations – and from the busy platforms and trains throughout the event, we’re confident we will have overtaken last year’s figures.

“We were privileged to celebrate our Golden Jubilee autumn gala with a very strong line-up of visiting engines – it was a pleasure to welcome back a duo of former railway residents, as well as hosting Royal Scot for its debut visit, and to welcome our Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester was a fantastic way to launch the event in style.”

For more details visit svr.co.uk or call 01562 757900