The East Lancashire Railway is holding a Western Region-themed weekend in April.

Attractions will include Great Western Railway Castle Class steam locomotive No. 4079 Pendennis Castle, ‘Teddy Bears’, ‘Warships’, ‘Hymeks’, ‘Peaks’, and ‘Hoovers’, the names associated with some of the heritage locomotives that used to haul trains on the Western Region, the successor to the Great Western Railway (GWR).

The railway’s “Western Region Weekend” is being held on Saturday, 13th and Sunday, 14th April.

Affectionately referred to as ‘God’s Wonderful Railway’, the Western Region was responsible for carrying commuters to and from London and taking tourists to their holiday destinations in Wales and the West Country.

Railway enthusiasts will be sure to want to experience the thrill of riding behind these heritage locomotives.

Loco lineup

As well as the heritage diesel fleet, Pendennis Castle and ‘Bubblecar’ W55001 will be operating over the weekend, with 55001 attached to the rear of a service train and traversing rare track around Bury Station.

Diesel locomotives operating over the weekend include:

Heritage Diesel Hydraulics:

• ‘Teddy Bear’ Class 14, D9531 Ernest
• ‘Hymek’ D7076
• ‘Warship’ D832 Onslaught

Heritage Diesel Electrics:

• ‘Peak’, Class 45, 45108
• ‘Hoover’, Class 50, 50015 Valiant

Heritage First Generation DMU:

• ‘Bubblecar’ W55001

A special attraction will be double heading by Pendennis Castle and Onslaught on Saturday and Pendennis Castle and Hymek D7076 on Sunday.

Further information

Tickets for the Western Region weekend are now available and cost £18.50 for a Day Rover and £38.50 for a Family Rover. More information is available on the East Lancashire Railway website or by calling the East Lancashire Railway at 0333 320 2830.

Mike Kelly, Chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, said “What better way to celebrate the bygone days of holiday trains to the west country than by coming to our Western Region weekend.

“East Lancashire Railway is proud to host so many iconic locomotives, and our themed timetable will pay tribute to the Western Region by letting enthusiasts immerse themselves in the days of old.”