New Builds Giants of Steam Gala Bluebell Railway October 2025

Hello & Welcome to Harnetty Railways In this special video we are back at The Bluebell Railway for their annual Giants of Steam Gala. With a new build theme gala celebrating the new build steam locomotives that had been built since the last standard gauge steam locomotive to be built by British Railways back in March 1960. There were 4 steam locos in action during the gala. The 6880 Betton Grange Society LTD's Grange class 6880 Betton Grange who was making his 1st visit to the railway since construction was completed by in the spring of 2024 at Tyseley. The Didcot Railway Centre's Saint 2999 Lady of Legend was also making her 1st visit to the railway since her construction was completed back in 2019 at Didcot. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust's A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado was making a return to the line for the 1st time since 2014 & the A1's 1st appearance on the line in BR Lined Green livery. The trio were supported by the working replica of the original London Brighton & South Coast Railway Atlantic 32424 Beachy Head who was making his 1st full season in service since completion of his construction at Sheffield Park during the summer of 2024. The BR Standard duo in Standard tank 80151 & Standard 5 73082 Camelot were acting as stand by locos for the weekend. We feature the Friday & Saturday of the gala weekend and like what happened at The North Yorkshire Moors Railway for their gala Sunday filming were cancelled caz of the poor weather. Friday was a travelling day mostly behind 60163 Tornado which was our 1st ride behind the A1 since the protracted mainline overhaul was completed at Locomotive Maintience Services at Loughborough late Spring of 2024. While travelling behind Tornado the A1 was to be paired for the very 1st time with the atlantic & in doing so we had our 1st official ride behind 32424 Beachy Head. Saturday was a day at the lineside north of Horsted Keynes as we see the trains tacking the climb as they accelerated away from the station. The highlight was on the Saturday as for the very 1st time in preservation all 4 of them were lined up together for the benefit of visitors. To think none of their original brothers nor sisters survied the cutter's torch upon the end of steam on British Railways back in August 1968. Now 57 years later the long lost classes are all lined up together for a memorable sight. We finish this video with a night time bash behind 6880 Betton Grange as darkness was begining to fall from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead. We would like to conclude by saying a huge thank you to all the unsung heroes of The Bluebell Railway & the preservation groups in making this memorable gala possible. Thanks for reading enjoy the film. #steamtrains #bluebellrailway #giantsofsteamgala2025 #60163tornado #6880bettongrange #2999ladyoflegend #32424bechyhead