THE Wensleydale Railway will be hosting its first major event since before the pandemic over the May Bank Holiday weekend, a festival of model railways.

The show will take place in the normally out of bounds engine shed at Leeming Bar and will feature a range of layouts from N gauge to G scale displayed alongside standard gauge locomotives, including the newly repainted ex Tyne Wear loco WL 4 and a partly rebuilt steam locomotive.

Monday, May 2 also sees the grand opening of the restored Leeming Bar Station House, which will see music and events taking place within the station house and on the platform throughout the day. Tours and children’s activities will also be available.

There will be plenty to do across the station site including in the car park where a traction engine in steam will be displayed alongside a five-and-a-quarter gauge steam railway with 145ft of track set up for rides. Visitors will also get an opportunity to drive a 03 locomotive for just £10 a go.

Trains will be operating throughout the weekend between Scruton and Leyburn with day rovers also available. At Scruton people can not only step back in time and experience the award-winning station, but also see visiting birds of prey from the York Birds of Prey Centre, who will be based at the station over the three-day weekend.

The event will be taking place from Saturday, April 30 to Monday, May 2 between 10.30am and 4.30pm, with tickets available to purchase on the website www.wensleydale-railway.co.uk or on the day. Show tickets can be purchased separately, or combined show and train tickets are available.