Apedale Valley Light Railway Grand Opening Gala

We've had the visit from ORR to the railway at Apedale and it now looks like we really will be opening to passengers in the next few weeks - after all the trials and tribulations, it almost seems too good to be true!
The railway's "official" opening will be during the September Gala on the 18th & 19th. I will try to keep posting regular updates here as things develop. Thus far, we have three steam locos more-or-less confirmed - they are "Stanhope", "Edward Sholto" and a newcomer to Apedale - the vertical boiler "Paddy". It would be really helpful to us if people can feedback to us what they want to see at this year's Gala. It's going to be a bit challenging operationally, since we expect a heavy demand for passenger rides - so that may limit opportunities to play with the many internal combustion & freight toys. But we'll do our best to put on a good show. Keep watching here for updates or check the news pages at www.mrt.org.uk.

To answer the obvious next question, I'm going to wait until I have a piece of paper with an ORR letterhead before I say exactly when the train service will start at Apedale. But sometime late August seems probable. Watch this space (amongst others!!).

Regards,

Simon Lomax
Moseley Railway Trust Publicity Officer

 

Hi - the MRT has issued the following Press Release this evening confirming the line-up for this event:-


Following a successful recent visit by a representative of the Rail Regulator, the Moseley Railway Trust is now in a position to confirm that its 2’0" gauge Apedale Valley Light Railway will be open to the public in the next few weeks. A Grand Opening Gala will be held on September 18 and 19. This will be the official opening for the railway. Plans for this Gala are now being finalised, and a wide variety of attractions are expected. In particular, no fewer than three steam locomotives will be seen at work on the Apedale Valley Light Railway. These will be Kerr Stuart locomotive "Stanhope", Hunslet "Edward Sholto" and vertical boiler locomotive "Paddy". "Stanhope" will now be a permanent resident of Apedale, and will initially be the main steam locomotive for the Apedale Valley Light Railway. "Edward Sholto" is one of the famed Quarry Hunslets; repatriated from the USA in 2006, it has been immaculately restored, and has visited a number of UK heritage railways already. "Paddy" is a vertical boiler locomotive, and recently performed with aplomb at the Ffestiniog Railway’s "Quirks & Curiosities" event.

The Moseley Railway Trust’s huge collection of industrial narrow gauge locomotives and artefacts will be on display, and it is planned to run a service of demonstration freight trains to allow some of the collection a chance to stretch its legs.

The Aurora North building will be used for a wide range of trade and model exhibits. We are fortunate to be hosting some of the UK’s best-known narrow gauge model railway layouts, and we are confident that these will be a major attraction in their own right.

The MRT’s neighbours on the site, the Apedale Heritage Centre, will be conducting tours of their coal mine attraction, and doubtless the famous cafe will be kept busy by visitors keen to try the famous Staffordshire Oatcakes.

The event will be open from 11.00 to 17.00 on each day. Admission, including a train ride, will be £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Keep watching the press or the news pages of www.mrt.org.uk for further updates!