New events in the programme for 2027 at Leighton Buzzard

Taffy and Chaloner working together in 2025 Photo Mark Lewis

The Leighton Buzzard Railway has announced its programme of events for 2027.

The schedule includes old favourites as well as some all-new ideas to appeal to everyone. TV characters will again make their appearance, with Peppa Pig in July, and by popular demand another visit by Bluey at the end of the summer.

One of the highlights of the year will be the 150th birthday celebrations for ‘Chaloner’, the iconic loco built for the Welsh slate quarries in 1877. A unique vertical boiler loco nicknamed a ‘coffee-pot’, the spring party will feature up to six visiting coffee-pots, most of the working examples of this type of locomotive in the country.

2027

  • Sunday 7 March. Start of the season and Mother’s Day First train of the year traditionally waved away by the Town Mayor with the help of the Town Crier. Mother’s Day is celebrated with presents for Mum.
  • Easter Sunday 27 & Monday 28 March. The popular Easter Egg and chocolate hunt for children featuring the biggest Easter Bunny in Bedfordshire.
  • Bank Holiday Sunday 2 & Monday 3 May. Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Children who bring their teddies to join the treasure hunt travel free.
  • Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 May. Coffee-Pot Weekend 150th Anniversary celebrations for de Winton 0-4-0vbt ‘Chaloner’ Several other ‘coffee-pots’ visiting plus opportunities for modellers of all gauges to join in.
  • Bank Holiday Sunday 30 & Monday 31 May. Wild West Days. New this year, join in gold panning, horseshoe tossing and lassoing whilst dressed up as wild west characters and bring your hobby horse to get a free ride voucher.
  • Sunday 20 June. Father’s Day. Traditional opportunity for a free footplate ride for all dads.
  • Sunday 27 June. Vintage Vehicle & Classic Car Rally. The ever-popular display of vintage and classic vehicles fill Page’s Park.
  • Sunday 11 July. Peppa Pig. Especially for the youngest enthusiasts, meet Peppa Pig after a special non-stop train ride to Stonehenge Works station.
  • Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 July. Beer Festival. Special extra train service between bars at both ends of the line where many different beers and ciders can be tasted.
  • Sunday 15 August. Blue Lights Day. Another new event, paying respects to all our emergency services.
  • Bank Holiday Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August. Pirate Attack! Becoming more popular each year and getting wetter every time. Pirates get the king’s shilling, find treasure at Page’s Park or cutthroats at Stonehenge but the real fun starts when the trains pass and the water fights commence.
  • Sunday 5 September. Bluey. Back by popular demand, Bluey makes a return visit to meet younger enthusiasts, again with a special non-stop express train to Stonehenge Works.
  • Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 September. Autumn Diamond Jubilee Gala. The traditional Steam Gala gets added interest, celebrating the diamond anniversary of the preservation of the railway.
  • Sunday 3 October. Junior’s Day. The railway will be handed over to junior members; they will be carrying out the many and varied duties of running the railway for the day (under adult supervision) as well as putting on a number of special activities for younger visitors to take part in.
  • Saturday 9 October. Behind Closed Doors. Another new event. Many items in the railway’s historic locomotive collection remain in secure closed storage all year so today the plan is to bring as many as possible out into the daylight for the benefit of both the enthusiast and general public audiences.
  • Sunday 31 October. Halloween Howl. Dare to scare and be scared! Page’s Park station becomes devilishly creepy and you can take part in some grave robbing. Ride a ghost train to Stonehenge and hunt for hidden objects to win prizes. Will you get a treat.. or a trick?
  • All December. Santa’s Special Steam Trains. The famous Christmas family event with seasonal refreshments for grown-ups and a quality present for all children from Santa in his magical grotto.

Full details of all events will be made available at www.buzzrail.uk as they are finalised.

Image: Taffy and Chaloner working together in 2025. Photo Mark Lewis