We spent an evening and a day on the Severn Valley Railway during their annual Fall Gala.

This all-volunteer organization dispatched steam-powered trains into continuous, around-the-clock operation – for an entire four day weekend. If you cared to, you could ride all night and all day.

The event is hugely popular. The trains were long, and they were full. The audience was, as one rider put it, “men of a certain age…….*sigh*”. But there were women, children, and even family pets along for the ride too.

Vestibule windows opened readily. The shops were open to visitors. There was a hearty breakfast available in the diner. Real ale could be purchased on the platform.

I can’t find words that have enough superlative impact to describe this experience. Hopefully these photos tell the story.

It was a long day and a half of train riding. As Sunday wound down, we returned to reality and to our hotel to pack for the next leg of our journey. It was time for Cornwall – click here for the next chapter.