The Severn Valley Railway has announced that GWR 2999 ‘Lady of Legend’ is to make an extended visit to the railway, culminating in a guest appearance at its Autumn Steam Gala on 19-22 September.
The Saint locomotive is the only one of its class in existence, and it caused a significant stir when it made its debut at the SVR’s Spring Steam Up in 2021, shortly after its rebuild.
‘It’s wonderful to be welcoming back this popular visitor,’ said Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director. ‘We are very grateful to Great Western Preservation Limited and Didcot Railway Centre for allowing us to have the ever-popular Lady of Legend back, and we’re particularly pleased that this extended visit will allow so many visitors the chance to see and travel behind this unique locomotive.’
Dubbed the 78th Saint, the locomotive really is one of a kind, as it’s the only example of the Saint class in existence. It was rebuilt by the Great Western Society at Didcot Railway Centre, and was created using parts from 4942 ‘Maindy Hall’, one of the classes that was developed from the original Saint design.
‘Lady of Legend’ made its first heritage railway appearance at the SVR’s Spring Steam Up in 2021. The locomotive proved such a crowd-pleaser then that the railway arranged a return visit for the 2022 Spring Steam Gala and Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
‘Lady of Legend’ is expected to arrive on the SVR by the middle of this month, and it will feature on the roster for summer services and the Step Back to the 1940s events before starring in the Railway’s popular Autumn Steam Gala.
The SVR will announce operating dates for 2999 ‘Lady of Legend’ in due course. Tickets for Step Back to the 1940s, the Autumn Steam Gala and other days at the railway are available at svr.co.uk.