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PRESERVED RAILWAY
Whats on guide
This page is starting to be updated, please check back soon as railways announce there 2021 plans following the governments roadmap announcement.
The UK coronavirus lockdown has led to preserved railways in the unfortunate situation with no income from ticket sales, but still occurring costs for maintenance, insurance, improvement projects and overhauls. Most railways are running appeals to have get them stay afloat through this situation. Please, if you can, think about making a donation to your favourite preserved railway to help ensure that they can reopen in the future.
Welcome to the refreshed Whats On Guide from Preserved Railway. Covid-19 closed all railways in March 2020, but many lines are starting to announce their planned reopening dates. Most of these are pre-booked services only, visit their individual website/railway press to find out more details on how to book.
Some events are planning some events for the Autumn season, I will shortly be starting to list these, alongside the provisional 2021 dates.
As ever all information is provided in good faith, please check the railways own website/social media for full details.
Events are listed below by start date. Hover and click on the arrow for full dates and outline details of the event.
Scroll down for special event listings.
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - The First Train - 12th April 2021Apr 12, 10:00 AMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKCelebrating 50 years to the day since the first train steamed out of Havenstreet. Original locomotive O2 W24 Calbourne will recreate the original timetable, with the original carriages.
- Severn Valley Railway - Steam Spring Up - 15th-18th April 2021Apr 15, 8:25 AM – Apr 18, 8:00 PMSevern Valley Railway, Bridgnorth WV16 4AE, UKPre-booked trains featuring visiting 2999 Lady of Legend, plus home fleet.
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Island Heritage Train - 18th April 2021Apr 18, 10:00 AMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKPassenger service, runs alongside the LSWR O2 on a goods train.
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Young Engineers Day - 24th-25th April 2021Apr 24, 10:00 AM – Apr 25, 6:00 PMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- Mid Hants Railway - Spring Steam Gala - 30th April-3rd May 2021Apr 30, 9:00 AM – May 03, 5:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Corris Railway - Gala Weekend & Visit of No. 4 - 8th/9th May 2021May 08, 9:30 AM – May 09, 5:00 PMCorris Steam Railway Museum, STATION YARD, Corris, Machynlleth SY20 9SH, UKCorris Railway Number 4 (Edward Thomas) visits from the Talyllyn Railway, joining sister locomotive the new build Tattoo No. 7.
- Severn Valley Railway - Spring Diesel Bash - 13th-16th May 2021May 13, 8:00 AM – May 16, 7:00 PMSevern Valley Railway, Severn Valley, Bridgnorth WV15 6EB, UK
- Talyllyn Railway - 70th Anniversary Celebration - 14th-16th May 2021May 14, 8:00 AM – May 16, 7:00 PMTalyllyn Railway, Wharf Station, Tywyn LL36 9EY, UK70 Years of the Talyllyn Railway Visit the Talyllyn Railway Website for more details nearer the time: https://www.talyllyn.co.uk
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Island Heritage Trains - 16th May 2021May 16, 10:00 AMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKW24 Calbourne will be hauling passenger trains, with Terrier W11 Newport hauling a heritage Southern Railway goods train.
- Mid Hants Railway - Vintage Vehicles Display - 21st-23rd May 2021May 21, 9:00 AM – May 23, 5:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Festival of Transport - 23rd May 2021May 23, 10:00 AMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- Mid Hants Railway - Day out with Thomas - 29th May-6th June 2021May 29, 8:00 AM – Jun 06, 6:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Great Central Railway - First Hurrah - 4th-6th June 2021Jun 04, 9:00 AM – Jun 06, 8:00 PMGreat Central Railway, Woodhouse Rd, Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8AG, UKThe First Hurrah 'Mini Gala'
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - 50th Anniversary Gala - 4th-6th June 2021Jun 04, 10:00 AM – Jun 06, 6:00 PMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKLSWR O2 Calbourne and LBSCR Terriers Knowle (visiting from Kent & East Sussex Light Railway) and Newport in action on an intensive timetable, with double heading terriers, photo line ups, heritage goods train and a Newspaper Train.
- Mid Hants Railway - War on the Line - 12th-13th June 2021Jun 12, 8:00 AM – Jun 13, 6:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Bala Lake Railway - Bala ReRailed - 12th-13th June 2021Jun 12, 9:00 AM – Jun 13, 6:00 PMBala Lake Railway, Station Rd, Llanuwchllyn, Bala LL23 7DD, UKPostponed from 2020 With the Bala Lake Railway planning to extend to Bala Town, this will be the first event held at the new Bala Town Station, with temporary track laid with a steam locomotive offering short rides. For full details visit https://bala-lake-railway.co.uk/
- Talyllyn Railway - Gala (featuring Corris No. 7) - 12th-13th June 2021Jun 12, 9:00 AM – Jun 13, 6:00 PMTalyllyn Railway, Wharf Station, Tywyn LL36 9EY, UKCorris No. 7 visits the Talyllyn Railway, staring alongside the two surviving Corris Railway locomotives, No. 3 and 4.
- Statfold Barn Railway - Trangkil 50 - Enthusiast Day - 12th June 2021Jun 12, 9:00 AMStatfold Barn Railway, Ashby Rd, Tamworth B79 0BY, UKTrangkil 50 - Enthusiast Day - 12th June 2021 A celebration of the 50th Anniversary since the building of the last steam locomotive built for industrial use in the UK, Hunslet Engine Company's Trangkil 50. To book and for details visit https://statfoldbarnrailway.co.uk
- Ffestiniog Railway - Fairlie Eventful - 18th-20th June 2021Jun 18, 8:00 AM – Jun 20, 6:00 PMFfestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Harbour Station, Porthmadog LL49 9NF, UKPostponed from 2020. 'Commemorating the 151st Anniversary of the Fairlie trials - the successful outcome of which inspired the building of narrow gauge railways in difficult terrain around the world. Visit https://www.festrail.co.uk for full details
- Mid Hants Railway - Urie Locomotive Society Open Day - 19th June 2021Jun 19, 9:00 AMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Terrier Weekend - 19th-20th June 2021Jun 19, 10:00 AM – Jun 20, 5:00 PMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKTerrier's Newport and Knowle (visiting Kent & East Sussex Railway) in action on a two train timetable, with vintage push/train in action
- Mid Hants Railway - Diesel Gala - 25th-27th June 2021Jun 25, 9:00 AM – Jun 27, 6:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Spa Valley Railway - Recreating West Country 'Brentor' - 26th-27th June 2021Jun 26, 9:00 AM – Jun 27, 8:00 PMSpa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5QY, UKBattle of Britain 'Sir Keith Park' will be running as 34095 'Brentor' for the weekend.
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Real Ale Festival - 26th-27th June 2021Jun 26, 10:00 AM – Jun 27, 8:00 PMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- East Lancs Railway - Diesel Gala - 1st-3rd July 2021Jul 01, 9:00 AM – Jul 03, 6:00 PMEast Lancashire Railway, 23A Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - The 1940s Experience - 3rd-4th July 2021Jul 03, 9:00 AM – Jul 04, 7:00 PMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- Chasewater Railway - Road and Rail Steam Fair - 3rd-4th July 2021Jul 03, 10:00 AM – Jul 04, 5:00 PMChasewater Railway, Pool Rd, Burntwood, Walsall WS8 7NL, UK
- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - Classic Bus & Coach Rally - 4th July 2021Jul 04, 10:00 AMEcclesbourne Valley Railway, Unit 1, Wirksworth Station, Coldwell St, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4FB, UK
- Chasewater Railway - Diesel Gala - 10th-11th July 2021Jul 10, 10:00 AM – Jul 11, 5:00 PMChasewater Railway, Pool Rd, Burntwood, Walsall WS8 7NL, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - The Island Motor Show - 10th-11th July 2021Jul 10, 10:00 AM – Jul 11, 5:00 PMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- Mid Hants Railway - Alton Bus Rally - 18th June 2021Jul 18, 8:00 AMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Great Central Railway - Beer Festival & Vintage Weekend - 22nd-25th July 2021Jul 22, 8:00 AM – Jul 25, 6:00 PMGreat Central Railway, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW, UKBeer Festival & Vintage Weekend
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Island Heritage Trains - 25th July 2021Jul 25, 10:00 AMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKCalbourne and Newport on a two train service including the 1st class magnificently restored IWR Carriage No. 10
- Bala Lake Railway - Alice the Little Welsh Engine - 31st July 2021Jul 31, 10:00 AMBala Lake Railway, Station Rd, Llanuwchllyn, Bala LL23 7DD, UK
- Mid Norfolk Railway - 1940s Railway at War - 7th-8th August 2021Aug 07, 9:00 AM – Aug 08, 6:00 PMMid Norfolk Railway, Railway Station, Station Rd, Dereham NR19 1DF, UK
- Mid Hants Railway - Day out with Thomas - 7th-15th August 2021Aug 07, 9:00 AM – Aug 15, 6:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- East Lancs Railway - Day out with Thomas - 7th-8th August 2021Aug 07, 9:00 AM – Aug 08, 6:00 PMEast Lancashire Railway, 23A Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY, UK
- Great Central Railway - Railways at Work - 14th-15th August 2021Aug 14, 9:00 AM – Aug 15, 6:00 PMGreat Central Railway, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Island Heritage Train - 15th August 2021Aug 15, 10:00 AMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- Chasewater Railway - 1940s Weekend - 21st-22nd August 2021Aug 21, 10:00 AM – Aug 22, 5:00 PMChasewater Railway, Pool Rd, Burntwood, Walsall WS8 7NL, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Island Steam Show - 27th-30th August 2021Aug 27, 10:00 AM – Aug 30, 5:00 PMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- Mid Hants Railway - 50s Weekend - 28th-30th August 2021Aug 28, 8:00 AM – Aug 30, 6:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Bala Lake Railway - August Steam Gala - 28th-30th August 2021Aug 28, 10:00 AM – Aug 30, 5:00 PMBala Lake Railway, Station Rd, Llanuwchllyn, Bala LL23 7DD, UK
- Great Central Railway - Diesel Bash - 3rd to 5th September 2021Sep 03, 8:00 AM – Sep 05, 6:00 PMGreat Central Railway, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW, UK
- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - Steam in the Valley - 3rd-5th September 2021Sep 03, 9:00 AM – Sep 05, 5:00 PMEcclesbourne Valley Railway, Unit 1, Wirksworth Station, Coldwell St, Wirksworth, Matlock DE4 4FB, UKGWR 9466 and Standard 4MT 80080 in action, alongside resident industrials
- Great Central Railway - War Weekend - 10th to 12th September 2021Sep 10, 8:00 AM – Sep 12, 6:00 PMGreat Central Railway, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW, UK
- Mid Hants Railway - Open Weekend - 11th-12th September 2021Sep 11, 9:00 AM GMT+1 – Sep 12, 6:00 PM GMT+1Mid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Chasewater Railway - Barrett Steam Models Event - 11th-12th September 2021Sep 11, 10:00 AM – Sep 12, 5:00 PMChasewater Railway, Pool Rd, Burntwood, Walsall WS8 7NL, UK
- East Lancs Railway - Diesel Gala - 17th-18th Sept 2021Sep 17, 9:00 AM – Sep 18, 6:00 PMEast Lancashire Railway, 23A Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY, UK
- Bala Lake Railway - Diesel Day - 17th October 2021Sep 17, 10:00 AMBala Lake Railway, Station Rd, Llanuwchllyn, Bala LL23 7DD, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Island Heritage Train - 19th September 2021Sep 19, 10:00 AMIsle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UK
- Bala Lake Railway - Great Little Trains Model Show - 25th-26th September 2021Sep 25, 9:00 AM – Sep 26, 5:00 PMBala Lake Railway, Station Rd, Llanuwchllyn, Bala LL23 7DD, UK
- Chasewater Railway - Coal Train Weekend - 25th-26th September 2021Sep 25, 9:00 AM – Sep 26, 6:00 PMChasewater Railway, Pool Rd, Burntwood, Walsall WS8 7NL, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - 1960s Weekend - 25th-26th September 2021Sep 25, 10:00 AM GMT+1 – Sep 26, 5:00 PM GMT+1Isle of Wight Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKA What If Event, featuring Ivatt 2MT 41313 and 41298, with O2 Calbourne on display at Havenstreet.
- Great Central Railway - Steam Gala - 30th Sept-3rd Oct 2021Sep 30, 9:00 AM – Oct 03, 6:00 PMGreat Central Railway, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW, UK
- Mid Hants Railway - Autumn Steam Gala - 1st-3rd October 2021Oct 01, 9:00 AM – Oct 03, 6:00 PMMid Hants Railway, The Railway Station, Station Road, New Alresford SO24 9JG, UK
- Mid Norfolk Railway - Flying Scotsman - 2nd-18th October 2021Oct 02, 9:00 AM – Oct 18, 6:00 PMMid Norfolk Railway, Railway Station, Station Rd, Dereham NR19 1DF, UK
- East Lancs Railway - Day out with Thomas - 2nd-3rd October 2021Oct 02, 9:00 AM – Oct 03, 6:00 PMEast Lancashire Railway, 23A Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY, UK
- East Lancs Railway - Steam Gala - 15th-17th October 2021Oct 15, 8:00 AM – Oct 17, 6:00 PMEast Lancashire Railway, 23A Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY, UK
- Isle of Wight Steam Railway - Island Heritage Train Day - 17th October 2021Oct 17, 10:00 AMHavenstreet, The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS, UKFeaturing the Ryde Pier Tram in operation
- East Lancs Railway - DMU Event- 13th-14th October 2021Nov 13, 9:00 AM – Nov 14, 6:00 PMEast Lancashire Railway, 23A Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY, UK
- Great Central Railway - The Last Hurrah - 20th-21st November 2021Nov 20, 8:00 AM – Nov 21, 6:00 PMGreat Central Railway, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW, UK
- Chasewater Railway - New Years Day Special - 1st January 2022Jan 01, 2022, 10:00 AMChasewater Railway, Pool Rd, Burntwood, Walsall WS8 7NL, UK