Apedale Valley Light Railway

24/08/2026

We are pleased to welcome "Cegin" to Apedale, visiting for the Gala on September 19 & 20. Many thanks to the Statfold team for facilitating the loan - the first Andrew Barclay steam loco to operate at Apedale.

22/08/2026

A little bit of history made today. Our most recent addition to the steam fleet, "Jennie", hauled its first passenger train on its new home turf. This was very much a test operation. A couple of adjustments were needed to the couplings arrangements, which made the 2nd train much simpler! This loco will next be in operation at our Gala, on 19 & 20 September.
Elsewhere, a little-seen Hunslet diesel was moved a considerable distance via the field railway; probably the furthest it has moved in many years!

20/08/2026

Following recent rainfall and a review of the national risk levels, we will be operating steam traction this weekend. The planned loco is Kerr, Stuart "Stanhope". Trains will operate 1130 until 4pm.

14/08/2026

Given the Government advice, please note that we will be running diesel traction this weekend. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause.

10/08/2026

The Moseley Railway Trust at Apedale has the considerable privilege of hosting the International Feldbahntreffen in 2026. For those unfamiliar, this is a gathering of representatives (and enthusiasts) from narrow gauge railways throughout Europe. The event runs from October 8 to October 11, and includes visits to the railways at Hesketh Bank (West Lancashire Light Railway), Statfold Barn, Apedale and Amerton Farm.

The main event will be at our site at Apedale, near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.

All details plus a detailed programme can be found at https://avlr.org.uk/ift2026

We are inviting railway friends and enthusiasts from all countries to join us!

The photos are from the 2025 event in Germany.

09/08/2026

An update regarding our September 19 & 20 Gala.

We are delighted to announce that, courtesy of the team at Statfold, we will be hosting Andrew, Barclay engine "Cegin" as the guest loco for our September Gala. This is the first time this loco has been to Apedale, and our first-ever Kilmarnock-built steam loco. "Cegin" worked at the famous Penrhyn slate quarries in North Wales, alongside Apedale residents "Stanhope" and "Ogwen".

The steam loco line-up therefore is:- "Cegin" plus residents "Stanhope", "Ogwen", "WOTO", Orenstein 5662, recent arrival "Jennie" plus Hunslet 1215 (WDLR303) and Hudswell Clarke 1238. The latter two are subject to boiler exams being completed without issue. So, with eight locos plus the internal combustion fleet, there will be lots to see!

Fares for the event will be £8 adults and "kids for a quid" (£1). These will cover site admission and a single ride. Day Rover tickets will also be available at £25 adults and £12 for children. HRA passes and similar concessions will not be valid.

Trains will run from 1130 until 1600 on both days.

On Friday 18 September, a photo charter will be run by Joey Evans with a "Penrhyn" theme, using "Cegin", "Stanhope" and "Ogwen". Joey is managing bookings and arrangements, but please feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] if you are interested in this and we will pass your enquiry onto Joey.

08/08/2026

Friendly engines getting ready to meet you!

02/08/2026

On Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9, the Apedale Friendly Engines will be coming out to greet our younger visitors - how many will you be able to spot during the journey?

All being well, two of our friendly steam engines will be operating. They will be Ogwen the Welsh Engine; she's a west country lass at heart, but well travelled - she's spent most of her life in Wales, but retired to America. Find out her full story!

Oscar is our oldest engine - he's 114 years young (he says). He's also well travelled, and spent a long time in South America, so you may need a phrase book. But don't worry, Oscar's always an OK engine.

We're hoping that our younger visitors will be able to have short footplate rides with Oscar or Ogwen. You'll be able to find out all about their fascinating life stories. Hopefully, we'll have one of the diesel locos available for visitors to have a go on the controls.

Steam trains will run from 1130 to 4pm on both days. Our standard fares will be charged - £5 adults, and kids for just £1 - and these are "ride all day tickets" - no need to book ahead, just arrive, pay in the shop, and hop on the next train.

29/07/2026

We are delighted to announce a new steam arrival at the Apedale Valley Light Railway. "Jennie" was built in 2008 by the Hunslet Engine Company. The loco is a modern version of the Kerr,Stuart "Wren" design. Such locos were popular on contractor's railways and the like in the first half of the 20th century. The Kerr,Stuart company were located in Stoke-on-Trent just a few miles from the Apedale site.
"Jennie" will be entering traffic at Apedale in the next few weeks once various approvals and training tasks have been carried out. It is hoped that she will be operating at the September Steam Gala on 19 & 20 of that month.

26/07/2026