Mini May Gala
11/12 May - With visiting Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway locomotive No. 752
Join us this weekend as we welcome a visiting engine courtesy of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Trust. Locomotive number 752 will be performing this weekend alongside our own engines, 4144 and 1340, Trojan.
Locomotive 752 is owned by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Trust and was built by Beyer Peacock in 1881 as a tender engine. In 1896 it was rebuilt at Horwich as an 0-6-0st to an Apsinall design.
Renumbered 11456 by the LMS in 1923, it was sold to the National Coal Board in 1947 and was then purchased for preservation in 1967.
It's currently running in BR Black as number 51456.
In addition to passenger trains, the event will feature goods workings, demonstrations of the 70ft turntable in action, a chance to see enginemen coaling the locos under the newly restored Grade II Listed 1932 coal stage and dramatic action as a coal truck is propelled up the steep incline to the coal stage – all sights that were commonplace at the steam depot in GWR days.
On site, you will find painstakingly restored buildings, carriages, and wagons and learn more about the development of railways and how they changed everyday lives.
Visitors will also have the chance to get up close to the locomotives in the spacious Engine Shed which has remained largely-unchanged since it was built in 1932. See the magnificent preserved locomotives – find 5900 Hinderton Hall, climb onto the footplate and listen to Archie, the driver, and Stan, the fireman, prepare their loco! Listen out for the sounds of a working engine shed and see if you can hear Stan fetch his supplies from Jonah, the storeman.
A leisurely walk or a trip on our branch line will take you to the Transfer Shed where you can see surviving track from Brunel's Broad Gauge railway with replica locomotives and carriages.
The large carriage shed will also be open with coaches dating from Victorian times to the 1940s that evoke bygone eras. See the VIP Saloon reputed to have been used by General Eisenhower during the preparations for D-Day and later used in the GWR Royal Train!
Enjoy a snack or light lunch in the Refreshment Rooms and pick up a souvenir from our exclusive range in the Gift Shop.
See our latest pre-arrival advice here.
NOTE FOR MEMBERS: We are asking members to pay a modest fee to attend this event as the costs of steaming our locomotives is significant on special event days. We thank you for your support and understanding.
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