Lappa Valley Part of National Railway 200 Celebrations

17th June 2025

Lappa Valley celebrates Railway 200 Gala with 445ft long train!

Lappa Valley near St Newlyn East once again echoed with whistles and cheers as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations, with a special gala over the weekend of 14–15 June – including a record breaking 445ft long train.

In 2024, the attraction hosted one of its most memorable gala weekends to date, showcasing its full locomotive fleet across a variety of rare services. This year, in honour of the 200th anniversary of train travel, Lappa Valley delivered another spectacular celebration that delighted visitors from across the country.

Throughout the weekend, every available locomotive on the 15″ gauge railway took to the tracks in dazzling double and triple-headed formations, thrilling parallel runs, non-stop services, and top ’n’ tailed operations. The attraction’s two other railways also came to life with visiting engines and special services, offering something for every railway enthusiast and family visitor alike.

Engines featured included:

• Lappa Valley’s beloved steam fleet: Zebedee, Muffin, Ellie
• Diesel stars: City of Derby, City of Truro, Arthur
• Visiting 7.25″ steam locomotives Kilgharragh and Tazmin
• 10.25″ petrol locomotives: Eric and The Duke
• Static exhibits: Duke of Cornwall, Victoria, APT, HST, and numerous visiting miniature traction engines.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Ben Harding, Operations Director, said:

“Myself and owners Keith and Sara were delighted with how the weekend went. It was a huge success, filled with excitement, nostalgia, and a wonderful sense of community.

“The highlight for many was the grand finale on Sunday afternoon when we ran the longest train we’ve ever assembled at Lappa Valley—16 carriages pulled by six locomotives, smashing last year’s standing record. It was an incredible sight and a fitting tribute to the spirit of Railway 200.”

The Railway 200 weekend saw months of meticulous preparation come to life, with standout moments including the ever-popular parallel running - engines racing side by side down the line along with rare formations that railway fans don’t often get the chance to see.

Families and enthusiasts alike enjoyed the family-friendly exhibits, visiting steam locomotives on the Lakeside Railway, and the miniature traction engine displays, all celebrating Lappa’s rich heritage.

Lappa Valley welcomed thousands of visitors over the two-day event, creating lasting memories and further cementing its reputation as one of Cornwall’s top heritage attractions.

The Railway 200 campaign is a nationwide celebration marking 200 years since the birth of passenger railways in the UK, commemorating the groundbreaking moment when the Stockton & Darlington Railway first carried passengers in 1825. Throughout 2025, heritage railways, museums, and rail attractions across the country have come together to honour this milestone with special events, exhibitions, and community initiatives.

The next celebration takes place over the weekend of the 28^th and 29^th June, where the attraction celebrates the 30^th anniversary of its Newlyn Downs Branchline which was formerly based at Carlyon Bay. Tickets are available at LappaValley.co.uk.

About Lappa Valley:

Tucked into Cornwall’s countryside, Lappa Valley blends family fun with heritage railway charm. The award‑winning attraction features a 15″ gauge railway, indoor and outdoor play, café, shops, and more. Drawing over 100,000 guests annually, Lappa is renowned for creating unforgettable memories, and was named Railway of the Year 2025 in the Heritage Railway Association Awards.

To visit Lappa Valley or to find out more information please go to Lappa Valley - Cornwall's Secret World of Play and Trains