The ‘Annual Steam Gala’ on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a hallmark of the heritage railway calendar, drawing enthusiasts nationwide to ride behind and photograph celebrities of steam in action. With its twisting curves and steep gradients, engines from all corners of the country are put to the test on expresses, double-headers and demonstration goods workings. Furthermore, the stunning moorland that surrounds the railway never fails to provide a breathtaking backdrop. However, the main question was, of course, which locomotives would be topping the bill this year?
The first guest to be announced was the mighty GWR Collett ‘Castle’ 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ from Didcot Railway Centre. Having wowed the crowds at events on the Keighley and Worth Valley, East Lancashire and Churnet Valley Railways earlier this year, anticipation was high to see how the ‘Castle’ would cope on the Moors. However, issues with water carrying over into the boiler led to Didcot choosing to withdraw the engine from service in August pending further work. Thankfully, a replacement was sought in the form of a fellow western machine: Collett ‘Hall’ 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ from the Epping Ongar Railway, bearing the attractive mixed traffic lined black livery.
The second guest would be a former resident of the NYMR, and soon to become one again! USATC S160 2253 ‘Omaha’ has spent the last five years running on the Dartmouth Steam Railway in Devon, but a new agreement signed recently will see the 2-8-0 based at Grosmont for a second stint, especially as plans are afoot to convert her to oil firing over the winter, working in partnership with a specialist team based in the USA. Finally, SR Bulleid ‘West Country’ 34028 ‘Eddystone’ would be making a return visit to the line, having previously starred at an similar event in 2006. Despite being entirely anachronistic for North Yorkshire metals, the engine would offer a taste of things to come with the railway’s own Bulleid, 34101 ‘Hartland’, currently under prolonged overhaul.
Eight members of the home fleet would be on the roster, including SR ‘Schools’ 926 ‘Repton’ and LMS ‘Black Five’ 44806 making their gala debuts following overhaul. Piglet’s Belgian Tram No.8 ‘Lucie’ would once again be in action at Levisham, only this time on brake van rides as opposed to shunting demonstrations. As a last minute surprise, BR 9F 92134 was turned out as scrapped classmate 92079, which famously banked trains over the Lickey Incline at Bromsgrove. 92134 did the honours between Grosmont and Goathland, complete with a mock-up of the headlamp originally fitted to MR Fowler 0-10-0 ‘Big Bertha’. In total, eleven engines could be seen in service along the eighteen-mile line.
I visited on the Saturday and Sunday of the event. Saturday operated without issue, although trains were running thirty-five minutes late by the time I left at 18:00. Sunday however, was much more eventful. Having run to schedule and mostly to time, ‘Pitchford Hall’ was halted at Levisham around 14:00 when her brake coach was found to have a hot axlebox. An elaborate shunt involving 4953, 2392 and ‘Lucie’ then took place to remove the defective carriage from the train and replace it with a brake van. I had been waiting at Beck Hole for 'Pitchford Hall's southbound service, due to depart at 15:00, so imagine my surprise when she coasted past in the opposite direction forty-five minutes late. By the time I headed home at 18:00, trains were running over two hours behind.
The full lineup consisted of:
Visiting:
GWR Collett 49XX ‘Hall’ 4-6-0 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ (from the Epping Ongar Railway)
SR Bulleid Rebuilt ‘West Country’ 4-6-2 34028 ‘Eddystone’ (from Southern Locomotives Ltd and the Swanage Railway)
USATC S160 2-8-0 2253 ‘Omaha’ (from Peter Best. Now based on the NYMR)
Home Fleet:
LNER Worsdell J27 0-6-0 2392
LH&JC Kitson 0-6-2T 29
LMS Stanier 5MT 4-6-0 5428 'Eric Treacy'
LMS Stanier 5MT 4-6-0 44806 (first gala appearance since overhaul)
SR Maunsell V ‘Schools’ 4-4-0 926 ‘Repton’ (first gala appearance since overhaul)
BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T 80136
BR Standard 9F 2-10–0 92134 (ran as 92079)
Cockerill 0-4-0VBT Tramways De L'est De Bruxelles No. 8 'Lucie' (on brake van rides at Levisham)
I hope you all enjoy the video. Huge thanks to the staff and volunteers of the NYMR, particularly for their herculean efforts on Sunday, which despite causing many headaches was still enjoyable. Make sure to take a look at our Instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/secondvalvesteam/, for behind-the-scenes updates and exclusive images. Don’t forget to leave a comment and please feel free to hit that subscribe button!