The Vale of Rheidol Railway is holding its Steam Festival this weekend (25th and 26th October 2025).

The railway says that it is one of its most ambitious events to date, with the headline news being No. 9 Prince of Wales returning from overhaul in BR Corporate Blue livery with cab-side double arrow branding.

The loco will also be running for the first time with its air pump concealed in its water tanks.

It will also mean that for the first time in many years, the railway has three Rheidol tanks all in steam.

Joining No. 9 in action will be:

• No. 7 “Owain Glyndŵr”, freshly repainted in BR lined green
• No. 8 “Llywelyn”, in BR black with lion-holding-wheel crest.
• NGG13 Garratt No. 60 “Drakensberg”

Five trains a day will run between Aberystwyth and Devils Bridge, with one service each day being double-headed by two Rheidol tanks.

At Aberystwyth, Pete Waterman’s Making Tracks layout will be in operation, and Wren will be providing driver experiences for visiting members of the public.

Completing the lineup will be Albatross Models in the Engine Shed and a lineup of model road steam engines.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit the Vale of Rheidol Railway website.

“The return of No. 9 to traffic in BR Blue is a landmark moment for the Vale of Rheidol. It’s one of the only three steam locomotives ever to authentically carry this livery, and to see it back in Railway200 year – alongside Nos. 7 and 8 in green and black – makes this festival a real celebration of our unique BR heritage. Add in the Garratt, an intensive timetable and a host of model and road steam exhibits, and it promises to be a true festival of steam in every sense.”

Vale of Rheidol Railway Managing Director, Llyr ap Iolo