Events Diary

Heritage Railways hold over 900 special events every year. Events for all the railways for the next 2 to 3 months are listed here and this page is usually updated weekly. For a full list of events at a particular railway please refer to that railways own website.

Events for 2010 will be added over the next couple of months. These details are usually copied directly from the website for each railway and I expect to have checked every heritage railway website by the end of January. Any that did not have events details for 2010 available during my first visit will be checked again during February, and any still outstanding after the second visit will be checked again during March.

• 11/3/10 : Reopening of Sheringham level crossing with Oliver Cromwell
  North Norfolk Railway
  

• 12/3/10 - 14/3/10 : Celebration Steam Gala
  North Norfolk Railway
  To mark the re-instatement after 50 years of Sheringham's level crossing, the Celebration Gala will bring together a selection of steam motive power for a three day event.

• 13/3/10 : Diesel Locomotive Gala Day
  Dean Forest Railway
  For diesel rail enthusiasts, all available home based diesel locomotive will be operating an intensive service.

• 13/3/10 : Evening Stars 50th Birthday
  STEAM: Museum of the GWR, Swindon
  Come and join us to celebrate the birthday of this famous locomotive. Find out about Evening Star by listening to the stories of the men and women who worked on her.

• 13/3/10 - 14/3/10 : Half Price Weekend
  Bodmin & Wenford Railway
  

• 13/3/10 - 14/3/10 : Gala Weekend
  Kirklees Light Railway
  

• 13/3/10 - 14/3/10 : Railway at Work Weekend
  Swanage Railway
  Your chance to see behind the scenes of a working steam railway. Meet staff and volunteers and learn how we run the railway. This incorporates the Swanage Railway Trust's annual members' weekend.

• 14/3/10 : Mothers VIP Day
  Bure Valley Railway
  Treat your mother to a special train package, including lunch at the Whistlestop.

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day Steam Specials
  Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day Specials
  Isle of Wight Steam Railway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day
  Lavender Line
  All mums go free

• 14/3/10 : Mothering Sunday
  Leighton Buzzard Railway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day
  Mid-Hants Railway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day Cream Tea Special
  Mid-Norfolk Railway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day
  Seaton Tramway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day
  Swindon & Cricklade Railway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothering Sunday
  Talyllyn Railway
  

• 14/3/10 : Mothers Day
  Tanfield Railway
  

• 17/3/10 : St. Patrick's Day 'Shamrock Specials'
  Downpatrick & County Down Railway
  Park n' Ride from Inch straight into the town's street carnival and join in the town's commemorations of the Patron Saint of Ireland.

• 19/3/10 - 21/3/10 : Spring Diesel Gala
  Mid-Norfolk Railway
  This year's Spring Diesel Gala will feature Sulzer-engined locomotives, with visitors including 26 007, 45 133, 46 045 and a visiting mainline Sulzer locomotive.

• 20/3/10 - 21/3/10 : Railcar Gala Weekend
  Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
  

• 20/3/10 - 21/3/10 : Branch Line Weekend
  Kent & East Sussex Railway
  

• 20/3/10 - 21/3/10 : Thomas Weekend
  Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
  

• 20/3/10 - 21/3/10 : Model Motion
  National Railway Museum - Shildon
  

• 20/3/10 - 21/3/10 : Half Price Weekend
  South Devon Railway
  The curtain raiser on the new season! Half fares all day for everyone!

• 20/3/10 - 21/3/10 : Spring Steam Gala - GWR 175: The Standard Revolution
  West Somerset Railway
  This event, as part of the GWR 175 celebrations, recalls the latter days of Western Region steam and BRs continuation of Great Western practice with Standard designs. It is hoped that many different standard designs will appear at the Gala alongside some ex GWR designs.

• 22/3/10 : Mineral Line Tour
  West Somerset Railway
  A tour to see the remains of the former West Somerset Mineral Railway.

• 25/3/10 - 28/3/10 : 1960s Gala
  Great Central Railway
  A1 60163 'Tornado' is joined by BR standard four number 80072 (which has only recently returned to steam), visiting Jubilee number 5690 'Leander', visiting Black 5 number 44767 'George Stephenson' and newly restored Jinty number 47406. In addition two diesel locomotives will join the fleet each day.

• 25/3/10 - 28/3/10 : Spring Steam Gala - GWR 175: The Standard Revolution
  West Somerset Railway
  This event, as part of the GWR 175 celebrations, recalls the latter days of Western Region steam and BRs continuation of Great Western practice with Standard designs. It is hoped that many different standard designs will appear at the Gala alongside some ex GWR designs.

• 27/3/10 - 28/3/10 : Spring Diesel Gala
  Bodmin & Wenford Railway
  The chance to enjoy the sight and sound of an impressive collection of heritage diesel locomotives working hard on gradients as steep as 1:37

• 27/3/10 - 28/3/10 : Residents Weekend
  East Lancashire Railway
  

• 27/3/10 - 28/3/10 : Spring Diesel Gala
  Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
  All operating locomotives in the GWR's acclaimed fleet of heritage diesels will be working an intensive train service over the 10-mile line. Features will include freight trains, local services and brake van rides as well as at least on visiting locomotives.

• 27/3/10 - 28/3/10 : Grand Bridge re-opening Weekend
  North Yorkshire Moors Railway
  A celebratory weekend to mark the completion of Bridge 30, between Goathland and Grosmont.

• 28/3/10 : Diesel Gala
  Colne Valley Railway
  

• 28/3/10 : Bygone Branchline Day
  Dean Forest Railway
  Come with us to relax and soak up the delightful atmosphere of the railway branchline. Travel in superbly restored 1930's Great Western Auto coach plus the luxurious Officers' Inspection Saloon and compare thirties style travel with the heritage diesel unit train of the sixties branch line.

• 28/3/10 : IW Grand National & Ashey Scurry
  Isle of Wight Steam Railway
  Travel in style to the famous races at West Ashey Farm by a Steam Powered Iron Horse! Park for FREE at Havenstreet Station then catch the steam train to Ashey Station for a day at the races.

• 28/3/10 : Behind the Scenes Day
  Mid-Norfolk Railway
  A chance to have a look behind the scenes, with a guided commentary on the train, tours of the station, signal box and yard, freight trains and goods handling demonstrations. There will also be an opportunity to inspect progress on the Thuxton passing loop and signal box.

• 2/4/10 : 10 years since re-opening to Bodiam
  Kent & East Sussex Railway
  

• 2/4/10 : Good Friday
  Lavender Line
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Egg-travaganza
  Bodmin & Wenford Railway
  An occasion to enjoy some of our smaller engines, including our Port of Par twins Alfred and Judy. Steam of all shapes and sizes, brake van rides, miniature railway, Easter Egg Hunt and much more too! Free Easter egg for all the children. A great day out for all the family.

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Egg Specials
  Boness & Kinneil Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Eggspress
  Bure Valley Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Specials
  Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Prize Easter Bunny Hunt
  Dean Forest Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : GWR 175 Easter Special Event
  Didcot Railway Centre
  Broad gauge Fire Fly locomotive operating. Launch of new Broad gauge 2nd Class Coach and Coach 416. Railcar No. 22 running. Radstock signalbox visits (Sunday/Monday).

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Day out with Thomas
  East Anglian Railway Museum
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Family Fun
  East Somerset Railway
  Put a spring in your step this Easter with fun family activities for everyone. Paint an egg and go on a hunt for the hidden Easter eggs for your chance to win a prize!

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Open Days
  Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Bank Holiday Weekend
  Hollycombe Steam Collection
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Fun
  Isle of Wight Steam Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Weekend
  Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Fun
  Leighton Buzzard Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Fair
  National Railway Museum - Shildon
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter with Thomas
  Nene Valley Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Egg Specials
  Ribble Steam Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Gala Weekend
  South Devon Railway
  Intensive service, visiting engines, freight trains, fairground rides and loads more.

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Specials
  Spa Valley Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Specials
  Swanage Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Egg Specials
  Swindon & Cricklade Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Eggstravaganza
  Tanfield Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 6/4/10 : Easter Steam Service
  Great Central Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 6/4/10 : Easter Eggspress
  Kirklees Light Railway
  

• 2/4/10 - 11/4/10 : Day out with Thomas
  Mid-Hants Railway
  

• 3/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter and the Teddy Bears Picnic
  Battlefield Line Railway
  

• 3/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Ivor the Engine
  Cholsey & Wallingford Railway
  Ivor the Engine will be steaming between Cholsey and Wallingford over the weekend. Come along to meet those favourite characters such as 'Jones the Steam'.

• 3/4/10 - 5/4/10 : The Easter Eggspress
  Downpatrick & County Down Railway
  

• 3/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Egg Specials
  Elsecar Steam Railway
  

• 4/4/10 : Easter Specials
  Mid-Norfolk Railway
  

• 4/4/10 : Teddy Bears Picnic
  National Railway Museum - Shildon
  

• 4/4/10 : Easter Egg Hunt at Colynton Station
  Seaton Tramway
  

• 4/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Friendly Fairbourne Engines Fun Day
  Fairbourne Railway
  When Lord Bart, the Stout Director takes full control of his Railway, helped by Mrs Frendley, his guards and drivers. Goody bags for all children.

• 4/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Bunnies
  Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
  

• 4/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Weekend Season Opener
  Rutland Railway Museum
  

• 4/4/10 - 5/4/10 : Easter Bunny
  Telford Steam Railway
  

• 5/4/10 : Easter Monday
  Lavender Line
  

• 9/4/10 - 11/4/10 : Day out with Thomas
  Dean Forest Railway
  

• 10/4/10 - 11/4/10 : Members/Volunteer Recruitment Weekend
  Spa Valley Railway
  

• 11/4/10 : Classic Motor Bike Rally
  East Lancashire Railway
  

• 12/4/10 - 16/4/10 : Frequent Heritage Diesel Train service
  Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
  

• 13/4/10 - 14/4/10 : Day out with Thomas
  Elsecar Steam Railway
  

• 16/4/10 - 18/4/10 : Great Western 175 Steam Spectacular
  Bodmin & Wenford Railway
  Our first Steam Gala of the year, featuring frequent trains, lots of locomotive action, and evening specials. A three day feast of Cornish steam to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway, and not to be missed.

• 17/4/10 : Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
  Bluebell Railway
  A one day fair at Horsted Keynes station, with railway artifacts, model railway equipment and other goodies there to be found.

• 17/4/10 : Wildlife on the Move
  Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
  Journey on the Icknield Line and discover the local wildlife. Commentary en route given by the Chiltern Conservation Board.

• 17/4/10 - 18/4/10 : Diesel Gala
  Great Central Railway
  

• 17/4/10 - 18/4/10 : Grandparents Weekend
  Kent & East Sussex Railway
  

• 17/4/10 - 18/4/10 : Vintage Bus Weekend
  North Norfolk Railway
  

• 18/4/10 : Vintage Vehicles
  Foxfield Railway
  

• 18/4/10 : Bustival - Vintage Vehicle Cavalcade
  Isle of Wight Steam Railway
  A festival of buses old and new! Come and marvel at over 35 vintage buses of all shapes and sizes, and browse around the stalls and attractions. Plus there’s a full service of steam trains and a real ale bar!

• 23/4/10 - 25/4/10 : Corwen / Patriot Gala
  Llangollen Railway
  

• 24/4/10 - 25/4/10 : Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine
  Battlefield Line Railway
  

• 24/4/10 - 25/4/10 : 1940s Weekend
  Churnet Valley Railway
  

• 24/4/10 - 25/4/10 : Vintage Vehicle Rally
  Colne Valley Railway
  

• 24/4/10 - 25/4/10 : Day out with Thomas
  Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
  

• 24/4/10 - 25/4/10 : St Georges Weekend
  Mid-Hants Railway
  

• 24/4/10 - 25/4/10 : Steam Gala
  Spa Valley Railway
  

• 25/4/10 : St Georges Day Trains
  Cholsey & Wallingford Railway
  Enjoy the best of British, with a bottle of ale on board our British built trains!

• 25/4/10 : Bygone Branchline Day
  Dean Forest Railway
  Come with us to relax and soak up the delightful atmosphere of the railway branchline. Travel in superbly restored 1930's Great Western Auto coach plus the luxurious Officers' Inspection Saloon and compare thirties style travel with the heritage diesel unit train of the sixties branch line.

• 25/4/10 : Drive It Day
  Hollycombe Steam Collection
  A classic vehicle day where exhibitors are encouraged to drive their vehicles! Reduced admission rates available to those arriving in a classic vehicle.

• 25/4/10 : Somerset & Dorset Pines Express
  Nene Valley Railway
  

• 30/4/10 - 3/5/10 : Quirks and Curiosities
  Ffestiniog Railway
  An unparalleled and diverse cornucopia of narrow-gauge oddities! Coming from far and wide these quirks and curiosities will delight and amuse your senses

• 30/4/10 - 3/5/10 : Spring Steam Gala
  North Yorkshire Moors Railway
  

Please note that all dates are in day/month/year format.

You may also be interested in a list of Model Railway Exhibitions and Events which is hosted by The UK Model Shop Directory

This page last updated on 10 March 2010.