Three heritage lines are joining forces this spring with a unique steam celebration.

Following their 2025 partnership agreement, the Apedale Valley Light Railway, West Lancashire Light Railway, and Amerton Railway have announced their first jointly organised event: a Bank Holiday showcase of Staffordshire-built W.G. Bagnall steam locomotives. 

Between May 23-25, 2026, visitors will be able to travel behind Bagnall-built engines at all three railways.

A special joint ticket, priced at £10 for adults and £3 for children, offers unlimited travel on each line across the weekend event.

Tickets are purchasable at all three railways or can be booked online in advance.

The West Lancashire Light Railway is a 2ft gauge line at Hesketh Bank, which will be hosting its 1906-built “Sybil”.

Amerton Railway, near Stafford, is owned by Staffordshire Narrow Gauge Railway and will be steaming the oldest of the trio, the 1897-built “Isabel”.

Apedale Valley Light Railway, located in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, will showcase its 1924-built “WOTO”.

Though all three locomotives were constructed at the same Stafford factory to a similar design, each reflects both the subtle evolution of Bagnall engineering over three decades and the effort and commitment of the heritage railways keeping them alive.

“This jointly-organised event is another step in drawing our three little railways closer together. We look forward to seeing how many visitors manage to ride behind all three Bagnalls during the bank holiday weekend!”

Simon Lomax, Interim chair of the Moseley Railway Trust, operator of the Apedale Valley Light Railway.