The ban on using steam locomotives following the dry summer has finally been lifted signalling the go-ahead for Leighton Buzzard Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala.

The news has been welcomed by Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway which has confirmed the Gala scheduled for September will now take place on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25.

All other remaining operating days this year will also go ahead and again feature steam power.

The gala will feature all four resident steam locomotives with visitors also be able to see the French built ‘Victory’ a Decauville locomotive built in 1897 which is visiting from the Bredgar and Wormshill Railway in Kent to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Railway’s twinning with the Froissy, Cappy and Dompierre Railway in France.

The Decauville 0-4-2T ‘Victory’ from 1897, will feature at the re-scheduled Leighton Buzzard Railway Gala on October 24 and October 25

placeholder image — The Decauville 0-4-2T ‘Victory’ from 1897, will feature at the re-scheduled Leighton Buzzard Railway Gala on October 24 and October 25

A spokesperson said: “We are delighted to announce that Andrew Barclay No. 1919 of 1931, ‘Cegin’”, will also be visiting us for our Steam Gala.

“A huge thank you to Statfold Country Park for giving us the opportunity to welcome this wonderful locomotive to the railway.

“’Cegin’ will be joining our resident Andrew Barclay locomotives, ‘Doll’ and ‘Gertrude’, making three Andrew Barclays in steam during the event. This will be a fantastic sight to see throughout the weekend - and, most excitingly, it will be the first time all three locomotives have been together.”

Also joining the line-up of locomotives will be the ‘WDLR303’ Hunslet 1215 of 1916, courtesy of The War Office Locomotive Trust and Apedale Valley Light Railway.

The locomotive last visited Leighton Buzzard in 2019 shortly after it returned to steam for the first time in preservation for the railway’s 100th anniversary gala.

This is the class of locomotive used when the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway first opened before being replaced by the now iconic Simplex diesels.

Tickets for individual train are on sale via the website.

As always, the appearance of any of the expected steam locomotives will depend on availability on the day.

The gala will be followed by a two-day Halloween themed event ( October 31 and November 1) with visitors invited to join in the spooky fun by dressing in costume.