Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Corwen station


The footplate experiences will begin on Sunday 3 May.


Participants will travel on the locomotive’s footplate alongside the team for a full journey along the line between Llangollen and Corwen.

They will be able to enjoy a spectacular route through beautiful landscapes, travelling past landmarks including Berwyn Tunnel, Horseshoe Falls and Llantysilio Hall.

The railway runs along the banks of the River Dee for a significant part of the journey.

The experience also includes a tour of a signal box prior to departure, a full footplate experience for part of the journey, a return trip on the train in passenger accommodation, and supervision and guidance from experienced railway volunteers.

Passengers are required to complete a medical questionnaire before taking part in the experience.

The experience costs £130 per person, and is available on both steam and diesel locos.

Proceeds will be reinvested into the Footplate Department.

Travelling on the footplate of a steam loco is on so many people’s bucket lists


“This is a truly exhilarating way to experience the railway – right at the heart of the action. Being up on the footplate alongside the team, you’re completely immersed in the sights, sounds and sheer power of the locomotive as it works along the line. You feel the heat, hear every beat of the engine and see the railway from a perspective very few people ever get to enjoy.

“The feedback from our Branch Line Gala footplate pass holders was incredible – we’ve been inundated with requests to bring this experience back. We’re absolutely delighted to now offer it as part of our regular timetable, giving more people the chance to experience the railway in such a unique and unforgettable way while taking in some of the most stunning scenery in the country.”

Matthew Carty, Head of the Railway’s Footplate Department

28th April, 2026

Norfolk railway to host busy 2026 programme of events​

A steam cavalcade on the Bure Valley Railway


Bure Valley Railway have announced a programme of memorable events for the 2026 season, offering visitors a wide range of experiences on one of the UK’s longest 15-inch gauge railways.

On Sunday, 3 May, the railway is set to host its Classics and Steam Day.

Blending steam train services with a classic car show, a range of cars, motorbikes, and agricultural vehicles will be displayed.

Vehicles can be found at both Aylsham and Wroxham stations, with steam services taking passengers along the line to enjoy both locations.

‘Everything Goes!’ is scheduled to take place between 23 and 25 May.

Guests can enjoy an action-packed display of the railway in full operation.

Bure Valley is set to showcase multiple steam and diesel locomotives, a selection of formations, rare locomotives, and a busy timetable running the length of the line between Aylsham and Wroxham.

Classic cars on display


Bure Valley Railway will also be hosting a Classics and Steam Evening on Wednesday, 3 June.

This event is intended to be a relaxed summer evening of steam, classic cars, and sunshine.

Visitors will be able to enjoy seeing a wide variety of classic vehicles, refreshments, and a BBQ.

All this against the backdrop of the steam railway.

Tickets for each event can be found online, with ‘Everything Goes!’ also returning in September and Classics and Steam Evenings expected to welcome visitors on select dates across the 2026 season.

28th April, 2026

Romic HST to visit County Durham for special services​

Romic HST No. 43094


A brand new visitor to the Weardale Railway has been announced.

On the 21st June, the railway will be welcoming The Romic Group’s legendary HST for the very first time.

The HST will be running three return services between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland, with tickets providing unlimited travel to allow visitors to hop on and off services to explore.

ROMIC Group Ltd HST Reveal MNR Oct 2025


Both Standard and First Class tickets are available, along with family options to provide as many people as possible with the experience of this uncommon sight.

Standard class is priced at £25 per adult, with full ticket information and timetable available on the railway’s website.

28th April, 2026

Llangollen Railway and East Lancashire Railway partner up to pay tribute to Charles Beyer​

Charles Beyer Life Celebrations. Mark Llewellin (left) with Keith Whitmore (right), pictured alongside East Lancashire Railway Pride Train staff.


On Tuesday, 2 June 2026, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway and the East Lancashire Railway are set to mark 150 years since the death of pioneering railway engineer Charles Beyer, with a programme combining heritage, travel and historical reflection.

Proceedings begin at 10 am with the first part of a service at St Collen’s Church, before pausing to allow attendees to board a steam service from Llangollen Railway Station at 10:40 am.

The train will then travel along the Dee Valley to Berwyn Station, carrying a specially commissioned Charles Beyer headboard, produced in partnership with the East Lancashire Railway.

At Berwyn, a commemorative plaque from the Institution of Civil Engineers will be unveiled, recognising Beyer’s contribution to engineering.

Attendees can then cross Chain Bridge to Llantysilio Church, where the service resumes under the direction of Father Lee Taylor, ending with a graveside tribute

Llangollen and East Lancashire Railway have joined forces to commission a brand new name plate honouring the life of Charles Beyer


A reception follows at Llantysilio Hall, Beyer’s former home, with refreshments, tours and speeches before the return journey to Llangollen.


Further commemorations are planned at Brookfield Church on Sunday, 14 June, including a morning service, afternoon talks and contributions from Michael Bailey, Robert Herpai and Anthony Dawson.

The programme will also reflect on Richard Peacock and the legacy of Beyer, Peacock and Company, co-founded by Beyer in 19th-century Manchester.

The programme also aligns with LGBT+ History Month 2026, drawing attention to lesser-known aspects of Beyer’s life alongside his engineering legacy.


“This will be a very special and fitting tribute to Charles Beyer in the place he chose to call home. The way the service moves between Llangollen and Llantysilio, using the railway itself, makes it a unique and meaningful event. It is also an opportunity to tell a fuller story about Beyer, including aspects of his life that are not always widely recognised, and to highlight the contribution of figures from what we now recognise as the LGBT community to railway history.”

Keith Whitmore, Director of the East Lancashire Railway and event organiser.

28th April, 2026

Steam locomotive 4270 to support Kent railway’s extension to Robertsbridge​

Ready to work on locomotive 4270


Rother Valley Railway has issued an update about GWR locomotive No. 4270.

Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust (RVRHT) has secured a 10-year loan of the locomotive, allowing the Trust to use the loco to help further strengthen the fleet operated by the Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR).

With the line due to be extended from Bodlam to Robertsbridge Station, the K&ESR needs a larger fleet. Last year, it agreed with its owner that Class 205 Unit No 1118 will be at the Railway for the foreseeable future.

Part of the loan arrangement for No. 4270 sees RVRHT enter into a partnership with the 4253 Locomotive Group.

Based at the railway’s Rolvenden Workshops, the Group will be responsible for the work required to return No. 4270 to service and will then oversee its use on the K&ESR.

Steam locomotive 4270


Earlier in April, 4253 Locomotive Group Engineer Henry Mowforth and director Charles Masterson joined Mike Hart of RVRHT to visit the One-to-One collection at Margate in Kent, where the locomotive is currently being displayed.

The three men met with the owners’ representatives, Locomotive Services Group Head of Steam Locomotive Engineering, Creagh, and Steam Loco Production Manager, Ben. Together, they carried out an inspection and a schedule of the condition of locomotive 4270.

The inspection confirmed that the engine is in excellent condition in general.

However, its boiler is due to be removed for a ten-yearly examination and for its boiler tubes to be replaced before it can return to operational duties.

Steam locomotive 4270


The current plan is to move locomotive 4270 to Rolvenden soon, which will enable the boiler to be removed, repaired and fitted back in the engine.

The Group’s own locomotive, former Great Western Railway 2-8-0 tank engine No. 4253, is making good progress towards entering service, so workers will be free to work on 4270’s chassis.

This will involve lubrication checks, piston and valve examinations and other tasks.

Once completed, the boiler will be refitted and the engine commissioned into service.

28th April, 2026

Biggest gala yet to be marked by guest locomotives at Lappa Valley​

Lappa Valley, near St Newlyn East, has announced a major heritage gala scheduled for 13 to 14 June, marking a significant milestone for the attraction’s operations.

For the first time, visiting steam locomotives in traffic will operate over the 15-inch gauge Main Railway, with five steam engines rostered, the highest number in the line’s history.

A key visiting locomotive is ‘Mr. Hallworth’ from Perrygrove Railway Adventure, which is named in memory of Tony Hallworth for his longstanding contribution to the heritage sector, including work with Bodmin Railway.

Spirit of Adventure


Also rostered is ‘Spirit of Adventure’, an Exmoor-built tank engine and the largest of its type constructed to this gauge.

This locomotive is also notably bigger than the resident locomotive ‘Ellie’, as it features a full-height cab, despite being built for narrow-gauge use.

The timetable will feature double-headed workings, non-stop services, and parallel running, with home fleet locomotives ‘Zebedee’,’ Muffin’, ‘Ellie’, ‘City of Truro’, and ‘Arthur’ running throughout the day.

Additional services will also be operating on the Newlyn Downs Branch, while visiting steam appears on the Lakeside Railway, with a display of miniature traction engines.


“This is a real milestone for us. It’s the first time we’ve welcomed visiting steam locomotives onto our 15-inch gauge railway, and seeing five in steam at once will make for an incredibly exciting weekend.

“Having Mr. Hallworth here is especially meaningful. Tony was a huge part of the Cornish railway community and a personal friend and mentor to me. Bringing the locomotive named in his memory to Cornwall feels like a very special homecoming.”

Ben Harding, Operations Director at Lappa Valley