The Llangollen and Corwen Railway has planned a spectacular Gala Weekend as the finale of its 50th anniversary celebrations in September.

Among the motive power operating throughout the weekend of Saturday, 12th, and Sunday 13th September will be Great Western Railway (GWR) steam locomotives 0-6-0 Pannier tank No. 7754 and heavy freight 2-8-0 No. 3802.

Diesel locomotives will include Class 26 No. 5310, Class 31 No. 31271 on the Saturday only, and Class 47 No. 47449 on the Sunday only.

A Class 127/108 heritage diesel multiple unit (DMU) will also be in service.

Gates to the gala open at 8.30 am each morning, and there will be 14 train journeys each day working to two different timetables.

The weekend promises to be one of this year’s most intensive weekends of operation, with passenger services, freight workings, brake van rides, and unusual shunting movements, and anyone visiting on both days will be treated to different events each day.

Adult Day Rover Ticket costs £30, and £8 for children, and allows visitors unlimited travel throughout the day, enabling them to visit each of the railway’s stations, travel behind steam, heritage diesels, or the Heritage Railcar, and even travel on as many trains as they can manage.

The railway is now taking bookings for its Santa Specials, which will have a rousing launch this year from the City of Chester Bluecoat Band.

“If you love trains, this is going to be quite a weekend. We have 7754 and 3802 representing steam, 5310, 31271 and 47449 representing our heritage diesel fleet and our Class 127/108 DMU. We’re going to put them to work with 14 train journeys each day, as well as freight, brake van rides and plenty more happening around the Railway. The important thing is that Saturday and Sunday are completely different. This isn’t a case of running the same timetable twice. We want people spending the whole weekend with us and experiencing as much of the Railway as possible. But this isn’t just an event for the enthusiast. If you’ve never experienced a railway gala before, buy a Rover, get on a train and see where the day takes you.”

Iain Ross, Llangollen and Corwen Railway