Friendly faces for railway’s 50th year
THE Lancs Light Railway (WLLR) will this weekend host the first of a series of events marking its 50th anniversary.
A Friendly Engines Day is taking place on Sunday (April 2) from 11.30am4.30pm, at Station Road, Hesketh Bank.
The event is aimed at families and young children, with the steam trains fitted with friendly faces and a host of other attractions also on offer.
Visitors will even be given the opportunity to drive one of the diesel engines.
WLLR is a two-foot gauge passenger-carrying railway, which runs for about a quarter of a mile around a fishing lake in the village.
It is operated entirely by volunteers who restore and maintain the locomotives and run the events.
A spokesman for WLLR said: “Everybody knows Thomas, this is a chance to meet some other engines with friendly West faces. “Other attractions include a miniature merry-go-round,oldfashioned games, model railway and much more.”
Entry to the event, which includes unlimited goes on all the rides , costs £4.50 for adults, £3.00 for children and £3.50 for seniors. Entry is free for children under three and family tickets cost £12. Hot and cold drinks and snacks will also be available on site.
There is free car parking available at the event, while the hourly no. 2 Preston-Southport bus service also stops close by.
The Friendly Faces day is the first in a series of events as the railway mark its half-century.
A Nearly Fifty Gala will be held on August 12-13, featuring specially brought in locomotives, 60s classic cars, traditional games and a beer tent, including the WLLR’s own-label beer.
One month later, on September 23-24, the Fiftieth Anniversary Gala will be held, featuring many of the favourite attractions, as well as a brass band and food and entertainment in the evening.