WHERE TO GET BACK ON TRACK

BALA LAKE RAILWAY

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(Llanuwchllyn-Bala)

This narrow-gauge railway is poised for a major development with an extension to the edge of Bala town in Gwynedd, Wales. Until then, trains hauled by the line’s quaint former slate quarry locomotives terminate at the northern end of Bala Lake, with a majestic panorama of Snowdonia during the journey. Easter egg hunts are planned for April 2-5 and a Bala Rerailed weekend on June 12-13. (01678 540666; bala-lake-railway.co.uk)

BO’NESS & KINNEIL RAILWAY (Bo’ness-Birkhill)

Visitors will be welcomed back after costly repairs during lockdown to five separate landslips across Scotland, caused by a severe thunderstorm last August. It is hoped that during the year, visitors will be able to view rolling stock restoration work from the gallery of the new National Lottery Heritage Fundsupported workshop and enhanced Museum of Scottish Railways. (01506 822298; bkrailway.co.uk)

h FFESTINIOG/WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS

(Porthmadog-Blaenau Ffestiniog /Caernarfon)

The two railways that wind through Snowdonia from Porthmadog take you to isolated intermediate stations where social distancing will be the last thing on your mind as you set off on a walk. Those who have not visited the Welsh Highland Railway for a couple of years may be surprised by the assertively modern new station at Caernarfon, but its café, Caffi De Winton, gives a nod to the historic buildings of the eponymous foundry across the road, which built vertical-boilered locomotives for slate quarries. (01766 516000; festrail.co.uk)

CHOLSEY & WALLINGFORD RAILWAY This short line from the Great Western main line at

Cholsey now terminates at Wallingford, in South Oxfordshire, inside the newly completed Brunellian train shed rescued from Maidenhead. Support to move this rare structure came from the Railway Heritage Trust. The train passes St Mary’s Church at Cholsey, where Agatha Christie was laid to rest with her husband, archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan.

(01491 835067; cholseywallingford-railway.com)

h EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY

(Heywood-Bury-Rawtenstall) Set in the lovely Irwell Valley, the East Lancashire

Railway hopes to host one of the world’s most famous locomotives, Flying Scotsman, from April 2-6. Nostalgic music, dancing and entertainment, vehicles and memorabilia stalls will provide vitality at

1950s weekends from May 29-31. (0333 320 2830; eastlancsrailway.org.uk)

ISLE OF WIGHT STEAM RAILWAY

(Smallbrook JunctionWootton)

The 16th Isle of Wight Real Ale Festival from May 1-3 is being celebrated with Real Ale trains. Guided walks along closed stretches of the island’s railway network are being organised on May 15 and June 16, and the days when everyone relied on trains to carry almost everything we needed are remembered on May 16, when historic goods trains join passenger trains. (01983 882204; iwsteamrailway. co.uk)

SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY (Kidderminster-Bridgnorth)

During lockdown, restoration work costing £1.25million was completed on one of this railway’s largest structures, Falling Sands Viaduct, where the brick arches of 1875-78 were cracking through water penetration. Track was removed and a new concrete base poured in. It is hoped that the Spring Steam Up on April 15-18 will be the first event of the year. (01562 757900; svr.co.uk)