Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Gus the Asparagus Man and St. George on the Asparagus Express


Two years ago, the Asparagus Express from Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse ran on St. George’s Day, 23rd April.


“On St George’s Day, the official start of the British Asparagus Festival, the first ‘hundred round of gras’ is auctioned in aid of charity and taken on a different promotional trip each year. A few years ago, this included a journey on the GWSR’s steam trains, which was so popular that we have decided to make this an annual special celebration. “Steam trains and asparagus are equally popular. This is a great way to celebrate both and to promote this very special crop and encourage people to make sure they buy British.”

Nigel Smith, Chairman of the British Asparagus Festival CIC
 
25th May, 2026

Somserset-based steam locomotive to visit the East Lancashire Railway​

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7828 Odney Manor at Williton


The East Lancashire Railway has announced its first visitor for its Autumn Steam Gala.

GWR Manor 7828 Odney Manor is set to visit the line for its gala between the 16th and 18th October 2026.

7828 visits courtesy of the West Somerset Railway, and returns back to its old home, having been a resident between 1993 and 1995 and has not visited for more than 30 years.

Tickets and more details will be available soon but are not yet available.
 
25th May, 2026

Tyne and Wear Metro control room upgraded in multi-million pound project​

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Tyne and Wear Metro’s upgraded control room


The Tyne and Wear Metro’s control room has been upgraded, and its layout improved, in an £8.8 million project.

The control room now has some of the most advanced technology in the railway industry, with the upgrade including the renewal of the system that manages key parts of Metro’s infrastructure.

Among the items renewed were the high-voltage power supply and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA), which monitors power, fire and intruder alarms, lighting, lifts, escalators, and tunnel drainage pumps.
 
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(l-r) Steve Duchar, Nexus Head of ICT, Chris Elliott, Sella Controls, and Paul Welford, Nexus Major Projects Director.


The new digital technology installed provides faster, more effective fault finding and helps reduce disruptions to Metro services.

The new SCADA system incorporates the latest SCADA and RTU (remote terminal unit) products already in use across the UK’s mainline network, with the RTUs feeding live data into the SCADA.

Together, these provide the Infrastructure Controllers with a continuous real-time view of the network, and also calculate the network’s live power load.

Instead of relying on incomplete or delayed information, operational staff can now see the network’s real-time state and make decisions based on what is actually happening.
 
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Tyne and Wear Metro’s upgraded control room


Sella Controls carried out the project on behalf of Metro operator Nexus, which has over a hundred years of experience in Traction Power SCADA in the rail industry.

Earlier this month, the Tyne and Wear Metro received its second consecutive Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award for its continued commitment to health and safety.


“This major upgrade of our control room technology is a vital investment in Metro’s long-term future. I’m delighted to say the project is now complete. The new SCADA system transforms how we monitor key assets, including the power supply, and allows us to respond more effectively when issues arise, which means less disruption for customers.“What we have installed is the very latest digital technology, which is the most advanced currently in use in the UK railway industry. It enables us to remotely manage the high and low voltage power supplies and other key things like lighting, lifts, escalators and fire alarms.

Paul Welford, Major Projects Director, Nexus
 
26th May, 2026

Overrunning engineering works causes major disruption to services across Wales​

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Cardiff Central


Transport for Wales engineering works have been ongoing across the network over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Unfortunately, some of the works have overrun, affecting services going to, from or through Cardiff Central.

Some lines are blocked, causing a number of cancellations, delays and revisions.

The disruption is expected until later this morning (26th May), with tickets being accepted on local bus services (Stagecoach, Cardiff Buses, and First Buses).

Passengers are advised to check before they travel via Transport for Wales or National Rail.

Additionally, passengers should remember that Pay As You Go cannot be used on local buses and should tap out at the earliest opportunity.
 
26th May, 2026

Two new steam drivers qualify at Welsh heritage line​

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Lady of Llangollen will be the name of the loco for Mothers Day Weekend


Two long-serving volunteers at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway have officially qualified as Steam Locomotive Drivers after more than a decade of experience.

Matthew Carty, 27, from Chester, and Tim Hines, 27, from Llangollen, achieved the qualification over the Bank Holiday weekend following extensive assessments and hands-on training at the railway’s Motive Power Depot in Llangollen.

Both began volunteering at the heritage railway aged 17 and have progressed steadily through the ranks over the past 10 years, taking on key leadership and operational responsibilities.

Their final assessments were overseen by senior driver Dave Owen, a former railway boss and one of the UK’s most experienced steam locomotive drivers, alongside nationally recognised rail engineer Andy Maxwell, a leading figure within the depot team.
 
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Tim Hines and Matthew Carty


The achievement comes as the railway sees a growth in passenger numbers and volunteer interest along its 10-mile Dee Valley route between Llangollen and Corwen.


“This is something I’ve worked towards for ten years and it still hasn’t quite sunk in. The railway has become a huge part of my life and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. There is such a depth of knowledge within the Motive Power Depot and the support from the whole team has been unbelievable.”

Matthew Carty


“To qualify as a steam locomotive driver on the railway I grew up volunteering on is incredibly special. We are very lucky at Llangollen to have decades of experience amongst our volunteers, and everyone is always willing to pass on their knowledge and skills. I’d like to thank everybody who has supported us over the years.”

Tim Hines
 
27th May, 2026

Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley set for more Somerset services​

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This is the Sir Nigel Gresley (60007) visiting the North Yorkshire Moors Railway passing through Goathland Station


The West Somerset Railway has announced that 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley will be hauling passenger trains this July.

It isnt long since the locomotive visited to haul services during the line’s Spring Steam Gala, but will be making a return.

60007 visits thanks to the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust and will haul trains between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead for one direction on the 3rd, 4th and 5th July.

The return direction will be behind one of the WSR’s locomotives.

On the 4th July, a round trip will operate where passengers can enjoy a fish and chip meal from Bishops Lydeard.

Tickets for the visit are now available via the West Somerset Railway website.
 
Wednesday 27th May 2026

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

This time we're joined by Neo!

Our first 'port of call' was the 'Great Western' where I had a couple of pints of 'Abbot'

Then we went to Tesco's and Cleo bought a meal deal, Neo and I went to KFC for and then we to the balcony of the indoor market to eat together.

We went to 'The Gatekeeper', where I had a 4 pints of 'Wainright Gold'.

Then we walked to 'Yo Sushi! for dinner, Cleo's belated birthday treat from us.

After all that we caught the bus home which was a brand new electric one, still had the new smell too.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 274, Volvo B8RLE MCV EvoRa, BU26 WMG

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Wainwright Gold - 4.1%​

Carlsberg Britvic​

A delightfully refreshing golden beer. Lightly hopped with subtle sweetness, a delicate citrus aroma and a gloriously golden colour. Hops: Magnum, Tradition and Hersbrucker.

Brand & Inspiration: Named in honour of the famous fell walker and author Alfred Wainwright.
Flavour Profile: A refreshing beer packed full of sweet honey and subtle citric flavours.

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27th May, 2026

Memorial flight and much more at 1940s weekend​

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Quorn Yard during a 1940s Weekend


At the end of May, the Great Central Railway will be transformed as part of a 1940s event.

The event, being held on the 30th and 31st May, pays tribute to the 1940s with authentic reenactments, vintage trains, and a range of entertainment and displays.

Both days are also set for an appearance from The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

There will be a packed timetable, with a range of vehicles on display, including military transport and pre-war cars.
 
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73156 heads along the Quorn Straight


Numerous displays will focus on what life was like and the local history, with The Quorn Local History Group presenting how the area looked, talking about industries and evacuees.

Additionally, there will be the Heroes in the Sky presentation on both days at Loughborough Station at 12:30 pm and 2:15 pm.

The event continues into the evening with a free 1940s dance event on Friday and Saturday, with vintage buses operating a shuttle service between Quorn and Loughborough Central on Saturday.

Tickets start from £30 – further information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit their website.
 
28th May, 2026

Tractor announced for North York Moors Gala​

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No. 37250


The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has confirmed a fourth guest locomotive for its Annual Diesel Gala, taking place from 11-14 June 2026.

Class 37 No. 37250 is set to appear, courtesy of Vince Minto and the Wensleydale Railway.

Built at English Electric’s Vulcan Foundry in 1964, the locomotive carries EWS livery and previously worked in France on high-speed line construction before entering preservation in 2008.

No. 37250 will be joining other visiting locomotives to the gala, including Class 35 ‘Hymek’, No. D7017, BR Class 14 D9553, and Class 20 No. 20166.
 
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BR Class 37 No. 37250


The North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s home diesel fleet will also appear, including Class 37 No. 37264 in BR blue, Class 37 No. 37688 ‘Great Rocks’ in Construction Sector livery, and Class 47 No. 47077 ‘North Star’, the final locomotive rostered to haul a cross-country express service on the national network on 19 August 2002.

Brake van rides at Levisham, shuttle services to Whitby and appearances by the 1903 North Eastern Railway Electric Autocar No. 3170 are also planned.

Ticket Prices start from £45 for a single day for an Adult, with full details on the NYMR website.
 
28th May, 2026

Severn Valley Railway unveil new locomotive to it’s Summer Gala lineup​

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Neilson & Co 2937 joins the guest line-up at the SVR's first Summer Gala


The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed a second visiting locomotive for its inaugural Summer Gala between 18 and 19 July, with Neilson & Co No. 2937 set to appear alongside a selection of home and guest traction.

Built in 1882 by Neilson & Co, the locomotive was first supplied to William Baird & Co for use at Bedlay Colliery near Glenboig, carrying the number 11.

The engine later underwent a series of ownership changes that reflected the broader restructuring of Scotland’s heavy industries during the 20th century.

Following the liquidation of William Baird & Co in 1938, its Lanarkshire operations merged with Scottish Iron & Steel Co Ltd to form Bairds and Scottish Steel Ltd.

After the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947, the locomotive entered National Coal Board ownership before returning to Gartsherrie Ironworks around 1950.

Withdrawn from industrial service, No. 2937 was preserved in 1968 and later moved to the Chasewater Light Railway, returning to traffic there in August 2025 following extensive restoration.

The two-day gala will feature intensive services between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, with steam and heritage diesel traction operating across the full line.

Kerr Stuart’s ‘Witch’ class No. 4388 has also been confirmed, while attractions at Highley and Kidderminster will run throughout the weekend.


“As a completely brand-new event for the Severn Valley Railway, the Summer Gala is all about offering visitors something a little different and showcasing unusual and characterful locomotives alongside our home fleet. Neilson & Co No 2937 is a wonderful addition to the line-up, bringing with it an incredible industrial heritage story and a type of locomotive that many of our visitors may never have seen in action before. We’re grateful to Keith Sergeant and the Chasewater Railway and delighted to be welcoming it to the SVR for what promises to be a fascinating and varied weekend.”

Gus Dunster, managing director of the Severn Valley Railway.
 
28th May, 2026

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway welcomes 60s nostalgia​

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Retro-fitted 1926 Simplex diesel locomotive sets off double-heading with loco Wilton from Walls Lane station in Skegness to Seathorne Bank


The Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway in Skegness Water Leisure Park is set to turn the clock back to the 60s as a nostalgic locomotive returns to the line following restoration efforts.

The heritage line first operated on 27 August 1960, when enthusiasts ran the purpose-built heritage light railway from North Sea Lane to Beach station at Humberston, near Cleethorpes.

Hauling the pioneering trains was a Simplex diesel locomotive, officially built in 1926 by Motor Rail Ltd of Bedford, although believed to date from 1918 and the First World War.

Its bodywork was fitted by a sheet metal firm on Grimsby Docks and painted in a fishing-vessel colour scheme.
 
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1926 Simplex diesel locomotive in its distinctive Seine Net Blue livery coupled to a more modern air-cooled, three-cylinder Simplex called Sark, which the LCLR uses for shunting and engineering trains


During its first three weeks in service, the locomotive carried 8,000 passengers, rising to 60,000 in the full 1961 season.

Later displaced by newer Simplex engines and the steam locomotive Jurassic, it lost its original livery, gained glazed windows against the North Sea weather and eventually carried the nameplate ‘Paul’.


“It brought tears to my eyes to see it back running in the original colour, after all these years. There are still active volunteers on our railway who remember it – and drove it – in that colour back in the early 1960s”.

Richard Shepherd, Chairman of the LCLR’s Historic Vehicles Trust
 
28th May, 2026

Govia Thameslink Railway destined for public ownership​

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Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary next to a GBR-liveried train


Next Sunday, 31st May, the government will transfer Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), along with its subsidiaries Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern, and Gatwick Express, into public ownership.

Among the benefits to passengers will be doubling the number of trains each hour between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, the recruitment of more drivers to reduce cancellations, and training 110 new Travel Safe Officers who will be tasked with cracking down on anti-social behaviour.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is Britain’s largest train operating company, and operates 1 in 6 passenger rail journeys in the UK, carrying hundreds of millions of passengers each year.

Under public ownership, GTR will initially have a 100-day plan for getting the basics right and creating a reliable service.

The major improvements will be:
  • Gatwick Express services: extra early morning services on Saturdays and Mondays. Starting this summer, double the number of services each hour, and extra Great Northern services, from next December.
  • Recruit more Drivers: 75 more drivers will be recruited by Thameslink and Great Northern this year, 40 more drivers at Southern and Gatwick Express.
  • Toilet improvements: Toilets on Thameslink trains are being refreshed to remove graffiti and make them more welcoming. The toilets of two trains will be resurfaced each week, with over half the fleet improved by next December.
  • Safety: 110 Travel Safe Officers are being trained to support revenue protection, improve security, and combat anti-social behaviour.
  • Signalling: A secondary signalling system will be installed between Farringdon and Blackfriars to reduce delays, boost resilience, and will prevent over 1,000 cancellations a year.
  • Better customer communication: When services are disrupted, a customer support WhatsApp channel will be available for passengers to get help from staff directly via a customer support WhatsApp channel.
Great British Railways also aims to deliver faster compensation for delays and tougher action on fare evasion.

The first train branded in Great British Railways livery was unveiled in Brighton on Thursday, 21st May.


“From this Sunday, millions of passengers across the South East and East of England will be travelling on rail services back in public hands – run for the public good, not private profit. Bringing Britain’s largest train operator into public ownership is a defining moment in our reform of the railway. It gives us an opportunity to tackle the bread-and-butter issues people want, like driving down cancellations and improving the frequency of services to Gatwick Airport. As we set up Great British Railways, we’re putting passengers first, fixing what’s broken, and delivering a railway people can rely on – one that rebuilds trust, regenerates communities and delivers the high standards passengers expect and deserve.”

Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary
 
28th May, 2026

GWR Castle steam locomotive to visit Somerset this Saturday​

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5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe


5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe is to visit Somerset this Saturday (30th May 2026) as it hauls The Whistling Ghost to Minehead.

5043 will depart Birmingham Snow Hill at 07:50 and will pass through Stourbridge Junction (08:20), Kidderminster (08:31), Droitwich Spa (08:45), Worcester Shrub Hill (08:59), Cheltenham Spa (09:34), Bristol Parkway (10:53), Bristol Temple Meads (11:14), Taunton (12:15) and Bishops Lydeard at 12:35.

Here, the train is hauled by WSR Manor locomotives to Minehead, arriving at 14:30.

The Manor locomotives will also return the train to Bishops Lydeard, departing Minehead at 16:50 and arriving in Bishops Lydeard at 18:30.

5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe will depart Bishops Lydeard at 18:40 and will return to Birmingham via Taunton (18:56), Bristol Temple Meads (19:54), Bristol Parkway (20:09), Cheltenham Spa (21:36), Worcester Shrub Hill (22:06), Droitwich Spa (22:21), Stourbridge Junction (22:47) and Birmingham Snow Hill (23:15).
 
29 May 2026

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Essential engineering work to take place on North Wales railway​

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C1 2577


Passengers are being advised of essential engineering work taking place on the North Wales railway between Chester and Llandudno Junction from the early hours of Saturday 6 June and reopening in the early hours of Monday 8 June.

During this time, the railway will be closed to allow teams uninterrupted access to carry out important maintenance and upgrade work as part of continued Network North Wales upgrade and the recent introduction of a new timetable,

Transport for Wales is working with its industry partners, Network Rail on a range of improvements over a selection of areas, including:
  • Flint – Drainage improvements to help reduce the risk of flooding and improve the long-term resilience of the railway
  • Pensarn – Foundation and site preparation work ahead of the installation of a new accessible footbridge
  • Rhyl (Saturday night only) – Sleeper replacements to maintain track quality and support smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers
During this time, passengers should expect:
  • No rail services will run between Chester and Llandudno Junction during the closure
  • Replacement transport will be in place to keep passengers moving
These improvements form part of continued investment in the North Wales railway and are essential to:
  • Maintain reliability following the recent timetable uplift, allowing passengers to take advantage of 50% additional train services
  • Support future accessibility improvements for passengers
  • Keep the railway safe and resilient for staff, passengers and freight services
Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: "We’re encouraging all passengers travelling between Llandudno Junction and Chester to check before they travel over the weekend. As no trains will run between these destinations, our Manchester Airport, Cardiff Central, and Liverpool Lime Street services will start and terminate at Chester, while services from Holyhead will terminate at Llandudno Junction

"We’ll be running rail replacement services between Llandudno Junction and Chester roughly every half an hour on the Saturday, and every hour on the Sunday. We’ll also have ticket acceptance in place with Arriva Bus. Please allow extra time for your journey and check before you travel using our website or app”.

Passengers are urged to plan ahead and check their journey before travelling at www.tfw.wales

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29th May, 2026

Full Whitby steam train service set to resume with Kids Go Free offer​

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Great Central based 8F, 48305, and Black 5, 5428 Eric Treacy, pass Green End with an afternoon train for Pickering


The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has announced that a full Pickering to Whitby timetable will resume from Monday 1st June 2026.

Bridge 42 near Grosmont has been undergoing temporary propping, but passengers will now be able to enjoy a ride through to Whitby.

One free child ticket is available when travelling with a fare paying adult.

A full repair programme on Bridge 42 will take place in the winter of 2026/27.


“We’re delighted to once again be taking passengers all the way from Pickering to Grosmont and Whitby on the NYMR . Whether visitors are looking for a short heritage journey or a full day out exploring the line, we’ve got a ticket to suit everyone; especially with our Kids Go Free offer on standard services and School Holiday Saver Rates to help families enjoy adventures together.”

“Our heritage railway is at the heart of the local community, and it’s important that we continue to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all our visitors. The proactive measures for Bridge 42 reflect our commitment to both operational safety and the long-term preservation of this historic line. I want to thank a number of vital suppliers and organisations and the residents of Grosmont, whose help and support during this period has been invaluable – North Yorkshire Council, North York Moors National Park, GGP, Murlac, CML, and Prop Hire.”

Laura Strangeway, CEO at the NYMR
 
29th May, 2026

Ffestiniog to kick off Gala celebrations with Spirit of Steam and Song train​

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Linda and Blanche on the Ffestiniog Railway


The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways will begin their 2026 ‘Extreme Steam Extravaganza’ Summer Gala with the special ‘Spirit of Steam & Song’ train on 19 June 2026, combining heritage rail travel, live folk music and Welsh whisky. The service departs Porthmadog at 3:10 pm for Caernarfon, hauled by Blanche alongside one of the railway’s Double Engines.

At Caernarfon, visitors can view a projected video display celebrating the history of the Welsh Highland Railway and 75 years of the modern heritage railway movement, inspired by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society volunteers of 1951.

The return service departs Caernarfon at 7:30 pm and arrives back in Porthmadog at 9:40 pm.

The train is included for Friday Day Rover and 3-Day Rover ticket holders, subject to a £2 supplement booking.
 
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A Bottle of limited-edition ‘Adfywiad Blanche Revival’ whisky, Penderyn Distillery


Entertainment will be provided by The Travelling Sessions, a folk collective from the Porthmadog and Tremadog area performing traditional Welsh, Irish and Scottish music alongside contemporary folk, Bluegrass and Cajun-inspired material.

The event marks the launch of the limited-edition ‘Adfywiad Blanche Revival’ whisky, produced with Penderyn Distillery to raise funds for Blanche’s planned restoration.

The single cask release will be officially opened before departure, with passengers receiving a complimentary tasting as the train leaves Porthmadog.

Bottles will also be available to purchase at Caernarfon station.
 
29th May, 2026

Grand Gala Weekend timetables released for Cornwall based railway​

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Lappa Valley Grand Gala Weekend


The Lappa Valley Railway has issued the timetables for its Grand Gala Weekend on Saturday, 13th, and Sunday, 14th June 2026.

The weekend is set to be one of the biggest celebrations in the railway’s history, which is based at Newlyn East near Newquay in Cornwall.

For the first time, visiting steam locomotives will run on the 15-inch gauge Main Railway, with a total of five steam locomotives in action across the site, a record for the line.
 
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Double-headed service provided by Ruby and Ellie


Among the weekend visitors will be Mr. Hallworth, normally based at the Perrygrove Railway Adventure in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

Another visiting locomotive from the Perrygrove Railway Adventure is Spirit of Adventure, which is the largest 15-inch gauge tank engine ever built by the Exmoor Steam Railway.

Working alongside the visiting locomotives will be the Lappa Valley’s own locomotives, including Zebedee, Muffin, Ellie, City of Truro, and Arthur.

Special events planned for the weekend include:
  • Double-headed steam trains.
  • Trains running in parallel and racing against each other.
  • Special runs on Saturday, comparing the performances of Lappa Valley and visiting locomotives.
  • A special non-stop evening service on Saturday to bring the day’s events to a close, featuring all five Lappa Valley’s steam locomotives running in tandem, and a special “Whistle-Up” finale at Benny Halt.
  • A special one-off passenger service on Saturday, hauled by Little Arthur, the Lappa Valley’s Lister-built locomotive, which normally does not haul passenger trains.
  • Regular services on-demand on the 7¼-inch gauge Lakeside Railway, hauled by visiting locomotive Kilgharrah.
The weekend will close with a spectacular Grand Finale on Sunday with the longest train of the year, for one last journey around the Main Railway using every available carriage.

As a memorable end to the day, all steam locomotives will line up between the locomotive shed and coal pile, and will sound their whistles together
 
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Lappa Valley’s “Duke of Cornwall with its airborne cousin”


It is hoped that the Duke of Cornwall, which was recently repainted into the striking livery of Cornwall Air Ambulance, will operate a limited number of services on the Newlyn Downs Branch Line.

Other attractions during the weekend include miniature traction engines on display, adding to the family fun that makes visits to Lappa Valley so special, with the admission ticket including unlimited rides on all railways, access to the indoor and outdoor play areas, adventure golf, and a boating lake.
 
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