Five Steam Engines, One Weekend: Lappa Valley’s Biggest Gala Yet

A locomotive named after a Wadebridge railwayman is coming home to Cornwall, and it will share the tracks with four others in a weekend that has never been attempted at Lappa Valley before.

The St Newlyn East attraction has announced its biggest heritage celebration to date, taking place on 13th and 14th June. For the first time in the railway’s history, visiting steam locomotives will run on its 15-inch gauge Main Railway, with a record five steam engines in action at once across the weekend.

📷The late Tony Hallworth (centre), the namesake of the homecoming locomotive is pictured with locomotive owner David Nelson-Brown (second from left) and Lappa Valley Drivers Ben Harding and Ollie Ridge (far right)

A homecoming for Mr. Hallworth

The headline visitor is Mr. Hallworth, a locomotive travelling down from Perrygrove Railway Adventure in Gloucestershire. The engine is named in memory of Tony Hallworth from Wadebridge, who mentored generations of railway volunteers through his work at heritage railways including Bodmin Railway. Bringing the locomotive that bears his name back to Cornish track is being described as a symbolic homecoming.

Ben Harding, Operations Director at Lappa Valley, said the visit carries personal weight. “Tony was a huge part of the Cornish railway community and a personal friend and mentor to me. Bringing the locomotive named in his memory to Cornwall feels like a very special homecoming.”

📷The locomotive Spirit of Adventure, the largest engine ever built by Exmoor Steam Railway, who will be visiting Lappa Valley over the gala weekend.

The biggest engine ever built of its kind

Joining Mr. Hallworth is Spirit of Adventure, the largest 15-inch gauge Exmoor-built tank engine ever constructed. It is appearing courtesy of Perrygrove Railway Adventure and Michael Crofts, and dwarfs Lappa Valley’s own Exmoor engine, Ellie. The cab is big enough for the driver to stand inside.

The two visitors will run alongside Lappa Valley regulars Zebedee, Muffin, Ellie, City of Truro and Arthur across the weekend.

What’s running

The programme includes double-headed trains, non-stop runs, and the return of parallel runs, where two locomotives travel side by side. The grand finale will see a train featuring every available locomotive running simultaneously.

Beyond the Main Railway, the Newlyn Downs Branch Line will put on additional services, and the Lakeside Railway will host visiting steam locomotives. Miniature traction engines will be on display elsewhere on the site.

Ben said it represents a milestone for the attraction. “This is a real milestone for us. It’s the first time we’ve welcomed visiting steam locomotives onto our 15-inch gauge railway, and seeing five in steam at once will make for an incredibly exciting weekend.”

Bookings are open now at LappaValley.co.uk, with pre-booking recommended. A full timetable and further announcements are due shortly.

Lappa Valley draws over 120,000 passengers a year and was named Railway of the Year 2025 at the Heritage Railway Association Awards.

📷The locomotive Mr Hallworth in service at Perrygrove Railway.