THE Severn Valley Railway relaunched its flagship steam loco on September 9, when GWR ‘Hall’ No. 4930 Hagley Hall hauled its first passenger service for 36 years, following an overhaul that cost £1.4 million. At noon, No. 4930 departed on the first of two return trips to Bridgnorth.
The 4-6-0 joined the roster for the line’s Autumn Steam Gala on September 15. It was withdrawn the following day after lineside fires – an issue which has also impacted other locos.