The West Lancashire Light Railway is inviting visitors to its Working Engines Gala this Sunday (21 September). The event will run from 11am until 4.30pm.

The narrow-gauge Railway – based at Hesketh Bank, halfway between Southport and Preston – promises an opportunity for visitors to see as many of its heritage steam locomotives in action as possible.

Fresh from its successful summer gala in August, the West Lancashire Light Railway will be running a busy schedule with both steam and diesel engines. There will be working freight trains, and visitors will have the chance to drive a diesel loco.

There will also be industrial engines on display, and for modelling enthusiasts, a Meccano display and a 16mm live steam model railway.

The tea room will be open during the event, with the Fireman’s Shovel serving hot food.

Tickets for the event are available to buy online here. They are priced at £5 (adults), £4.50 (seniors citizens and Armed Forces personnel), £4 (children). Children aged 2 or under will be admitted free of charge. Families (2 adults and 3 children) can buy a family ticket for £14.

The West Lancashire Light Railway runs narrow-gauge passenger steam trains on a short run. The trip extends for 400 metres and takes passengers from Becconsall station through woodland between the village and the Douglas river, to Delph station.

The Railway usually operates with just one engine in steam, but on special event days such as this one, it runs more. It has run successful Working Engines Galas in the past.

As well as the tea room, the Railway has a shop selling railway-themed gifts, as well as Barry’s Bookstall.

We offer a family-friendly venue for visitors interested in live-steam railways and the preservation of our industrial heritage. As well as four steam engines, we have more than twenty small diesel, petrol and battery locomotives rescued from defunct industrial undertakings, along with three passenger coaches and a good number of vans and wagons.