Lappa Valley gala brings homecoming for Tony Hallworth engine

A steam locomotive carrying the name of a Wadebridge man rolled into Cornwall for the first time over the weekend, and for the people who knew him, it was never going to feel like an ordinary visiting engine.

Lappa Valley hosted its biggest ever Grand Gala Weekend on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June, with two visiting steam locomotives, Mr Hallworth and Spirit of Adventure, running on the attraction’s 15-inch gauge Main Railway. According to Lappa Valley, it was the first time visiting locomotives had run on the Main Railway in 52 years.

The engine that came home

Mr Hallworth visited courtesy of Perrygrove Railway Adventure and is named in memory of Tony Hallworth from Wadebridge. Tony was a hugely respected figure in the heritage railway world, mentoring generations of railway volunteers through his work across Cornwall and beyond, including at Bodmin Railway.

For many visitors and enthusiasts, the locomotive turning up at Lappa Valley meant something more than a guest engine joining a gala. It was a homecoming.

Ben Harding, Operations Director at Lappa Valley, said: “Mr Hallworth coming to Lappa Valley was incredibly special. Tony Hallworth meant a great deal to so many people in the railway world, particularly here in Cornwall, and to see a locomotive named in his memory running in the county was a very moving moment.”

Ben added: “This weekend was a true homecoming, and we were honoured to play a part in that story.”

A landmark for the Main Railway

Spirit of Adventure appeared courtesy of Michael Crofts and the Perrygrove Railway Adventure. As the largest 15-inch gauge Exmoor-built tank engine ever constructed, it added its own weight to the occasion and pulled in families and enthusiasts throughout the two days.

There was guest steam elsewhere on the site too. Kilgharrah ran special services on the Lakeside Railway thanks to Kelvin Stapleton, the 7¼-inch gauge locomotive giving visitors the chance to catch visiting steam across more of the network.

Lappa Valley’s own fleet was not standing idle. Home locomotives Zebedee, Muffin and Ellie carried a record number of passengers, with thousands of journeys taken across the three railways.

The train races

Some of the most anticipated moments came from the parallel runs, known by regulars as the “train races”.

On Saturday, the bragging rights went to the visitors. Mr Hallworth and Spirit of Adventure took victory in a parallel run that drew cheers from the crowds. On Sunday, the home side struck back. Lappa Valley’s flagship locomotive Zebedee teamed up with Spirit of Adventure to take the honours in another race.

Visitors also got double-headed trains, non-stop runs, special formations, extra services on the Newlyn Downs Branch Line and miniature traction engines dotted across the site.

A final bow

The weekend closed with a Grand Finale on Sunday afternoon, with every available Main Railway locomotive taking a final bow together. The train was formed of all available carriages, making it one of the most ambitious assembled at Lappa Valley.

“The Grand Finale was a very special moment,” Ben said. “Seeing every locomotive take a final bow with all 18 carriages behind them, surrounded by cheering crowds, was a fitting end to a weekend that celebrated everything we love about Lappa Valley.”

The gala followed months of planning by the Lappa Valley team, with support from visiting locomotive owners, exhibitors, volunteers and friends from across the railway community. The attraction thanked Perrygrove Railway Adventure and Michael Crofts for the visit of Mr Hallworth and Spirit of Adventure, Kelvin Stapleton for bringing Kilgharrah to the Lakeside Railway, and the miniature traction engine exhibitors who brought extra steam and atmosphere.