Gala weekend celebrations at West Lancs
WEST Lancashire Light Railway began in 1967 and will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary year with two gala weekends.
During both gala weekends passenger trains will be hauled by three visiting steam locos: Cloister. Jack Lane, and Statfold.
Trains will operate from 11.30am4.30pm.
Events and entertainment will include Drive a Diesel, model railways, children’s fairground and traditional games, vintage bus rides, a beer tent, a burger wagon and a cake stall.
The first weekend, Nearly 50, will take place on August 12-13.
Then on the evening of Saturday (August 12) entertainment will be provided by a live band and includes a supper, all for £6.
Tickets are available in advance at the booking office or at the gate.
The evening starts at 7.30pm and finishes at 11pm.
Nearly 50 will be followed by the 50th Anniversary on September 2324 with guest locos Alice, Stanhope and Cloister.
It is free entry and parking is available.
Train rides cost: £5 for adults, £3.50 for children, £14 for a family and £4.50 for over 60s (unlimited rides).
The no. 2 bus from Preston-Southg- port stops nearby (at Booths).
The West Lancashire Light Railway was the idea of six local schoolboys in September, 1967.
They were concerned by the loss of small, narrow gauge industrial railways, so they set out to save what they could in a working museum includ- ing steam, diesel, petrol, and electric railway equipment from local sites such as coal mines; sand extraction for the glass industry; and brickworks – and, looking further afield, from slate quarries in North Wales and military usage.
Over the next 50 years they bought and restored many locomotivess, from their first diesel Clwyd, bought in 1968; followed by Tawd in 1969; to Irish Mail, Alice, and even a few coaches including Southport pier’s own Silver Belle.
For more information go to: www. westlancsrailway.org