Leighton Buzzard Railway Celebrates Successful Centenary Gala

Two Ganges Class at LBR for the first time since 1921

The Leighton Buzzard Railway is delighted to announce its centenary gala on Saturday and Sunday 5th and 6th October was one of its most successful to date.

More than 650 passengers were welcomed to the railway over the weekend, with a total of 16 passenger departures to travel on, as well as 8 freight journeys to watch. Highlights included five visiting engines, including a pair of Hudswell Clarke ‘Ganges-class’ – 1238 from Apedale Valley Light Railway and GP39 from Statfold Barn Railway– the first time a pair of this type has operated together at the railway since 1921.

Operations manager, and gala organiser, Jon Hopper said: ‘As well as thanking all our customers over the weekend for supporting the event, I would like to pay special thanks to our volunteers for their planning and hard work to deliver what some people are calling one of our best galas of recent years.  It has to be one of my proudest moments as a volunteer of 20-odd years to have been involved in this year’s gala and I can’t wait to do it all again and more in a year’s time.’

Next up at the railway is the Halloween event on Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th October, with the trains designated as a Spooky Express, with family-friendly, yet scary, activities at both ends of the line. This will be the last weekend of the main season before the volunteers take a well-earned break, returning on Sunday 1st December for the Christmas Santa Specials.

Full details on the railway’s operating dates and events, as well as fee-free booking can be found at http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/static/timetables.html.