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If you went down to the Woods at WLLR...
Photograph by Patrick Trollope.
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THE West
Lancashire Light Railway (WLLR)
held their Annual Teddy Bears' Outing, on Sunday, 22 May 2016. We are told Yogi
Bear was spotted with Boo-Boo, luckily for those attending we are also informed
that they both stayed out of trouble. The event was extremely well attended,
with people travelling in from all over the North West. Trustee Chairman, Mike
Spall said:- "I would like to thank everyone who helped us make this a
very successful day. The morning was a damp start, but the Sun came out to play,
as did the bears. Over the event we have continually run trains in full steam,
plus we have also seen the odd bear transporter taking our furry visitors
around. For our human guests, we have had model a model railway exhibition, the
amazing stam traction engines, a coconut shy and lots of other things for them
to do. Plus, they have all had the opportunity of seeing the bears in the
woods... We have not had any picnic hampers stolen though, so Ranger John
Francis Smith, from Jellystone Park will be pleased." Please let us know
if you attended this event and also let us know what you thought of it via
emailing us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com. It is worth
taking note that steam trains will be running on Sundays and Bank Holidays
between April and October, throughout 2016. The next major event will be
Strawberries and Steam, on Sunday, 19 June 2016. This will be followed by Summer
Steam Weekend, over Saturday, 6 August and Sunday, 7 August 2016... Also, lots
of other events taking place throughout the year, from Steam Gala to the
Halloween Specials, plus the all important Santa Specials in December...
To see our photographic coverage of this event, please click on
here now...
Fact File:- Did you know? The railway is Lancashire's only working narrow gauge
track, but despite only being built in 1967, by 6 schoolboys, the site has
become a very important locally and nationally. Not only does it prove to be an
increasingly popular tourist attraction, it's preserving a valuable part of our
industrial and railway heritage for generations to come. It's also worth noting
that the long lost Preston to Southport line, that was run by the West
Lancashire Railway (WLR) Company, had its River Douglas Station next to Alty's
Brickworks, where the WLLR is now located. 2006 the Railway became a registered
charity and has recently been given funds via the National Lottery in the hopes
that they can expand and take over the site from their landlords, Alty's. The
idea will be to expand the West Lancashire Light Railway's 2ft gauge track to
take them to the river and around the lake, as well as converting the rest of
the site, including a large lake, into an extensive leisure park and wildlife
centre. These plans are still under discussion, but are increasingly looking
like becoming a reality. If this happens, it will secure the future of the
WLLRailway. It's hoped that the good news will break as the small railway
celebrates its 50th Anniversary next year.
For more information about the railway please call:- 01772 815881 or visit:-
WestLancsRailway.Org. |
