Thousands steaming towards Llangollen Garden Railway festival

* Tony Green from Tony Green Models has already set up at the Pavilion.

Thousands of garden rail enthusiasts will be heading to Llangollen this weekend, as the town again plays host to one of the UK's largest garden railway festivals.  

Over 50 of UK’s leading retailers have already set up at the International Pavilion with a fantastic selection of outstanding layouts of the larger scale in railway modelling, catering for all tastes, showcasing garden railways from different periods and countries.  

The event has been organised by Llangollen-based garden model railway enthusiast Keith Potts.  

Previous festivals have been hugely popular in the town famous for its annual International Musical Eisteddfod and own its steam railway.  

A garden railway or garden railroad is a model railway set up outdoors in a garden. Keith has his own garden railway, in his front garden on Horseshoe Pass View.

He said: "We have been busy today welcoming dozens of exhibitors from across the UK.  Llangollen is famous for its steam railway, but more and people are heading to this part of North Wales for our Garden Railway Festival.  

"Not only will you get to see some amazing model railways in action, but there will also be plenty of opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts and learn about different railway models and layouts.  

"The festival is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Llangollen countryside, and it's a great opportunity to spend a day out with friends and family.  

"Tickets are selling fast and the great things is that all accompanied children can attend for free."

The event is held at the Llangollen Pavilion tomorrow from 10am until 4.30pm.   

The festival will feature over 50 exhibitors, as well as demonstrations of modelling techniques and larger scale and gauge societies, preservation and heritage societies and railway specialist interest groups.  

There will also be locomotives running on various gauges, live steam, gas fired, digital and analogue operations.

Tickets for the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival are priced at £12 for adults, with free admission for all accompanied children.  Tickets can be purchased from the Llangollen Tourist Information Centre in the centre of Llangollen or by calling 01978 860 828.  On the day tickets start at 10am. 

* For more information and for a list of exhibitors - see https://www.lgrf.co.uk/