Lappa Valley Hosts Railway 200 Gala with Record-Breaking 445ft Train

Thousands Flock to Lappa Valley for Record-Breaking Celebration

Lappa Valley near St Newlyn East drew railway lovers and families from across the country over the weekend as it marked the national Railway 200 celebrations with a spectacular gala on 14th and 15th June – including a record-breaking 445ft train.

The two-day event brought every working engine at the attraction to life, with rare combinations and standout displays that wowed visitors of all ages.

Six Locos, Sixteen Carriages, One Giant Train

The highlight came on Sunday afternoon when Lappa Valley ran its longest ever train. Six locomotives pulled 16 carriages along the 15″ gauge railway, setting a new site record and stealing the show during the grand finale.

Ben Harding, Operations Director, said:
“Myself and owners Keith and Sara were delighted with how the weekend went. It was a huge success, filled with excitement, nostalgia, and a wonderful sense of community.
“The highlight for many was the grand finale on Sunday afternoon when we ran the longest train we’ve ever assembled at Lappa Valley — 16 carriages pulled by six locomotives, smashing last year’s standing record. It was an incredible sight and a fitting tribute to the spirit of Railway 200.”

Engines Galore and Rare Formations

Throughout the weekend, every available locomotive was put to work in rare and exciting formations. Double and triple-headed trains, top ’n’ tailed runs, non-stop services and thrilling side-by-side racing made full use of the site’s track and rolling stock.

Engines in service included:

• Steam favourites: Zebedee, Muffin and Ellie

• Diesels: City of Derby, City of Truro and Arthur

• Visiting 7.25″ steam locomotives Kilgharragh and Tazmin

• 10.25″ petrol locomotives: Eric and The Duke

Static exhibits included Duke of Cornwall, Victoria, APT and HST, alongside visiting miniature traction engines on display throughout the site.

Part of the National Railway 200 Campaign

This year’s gala formed part of Railway 200, a nationwide campaign marking 200 years since the first passenger train ran on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825. Across 2024 and 2025, heritage railways and museums are hosting events and exhibitions to celebrate the milestone.

Lappa Valley welcomed thousands of visitors over the weekend and showcased its full fleet across all three of its railways, offering something for every kind of visitor — from steam buffs to young families.

Next Up: Newlyn Downs Branchline Turns 30

The next major event at Lappa Valley takes place over the weekend of 28th and 29th June, celebrating 30 years since the opening of its Newlyn Downs Branchline, which was originally located at Carlyon Bay.

Tickets are available now at LappaValley.co.uk.

About Lappa Valley

Lappa Valley is a popular heritage attraction set in the Cornish countryside near Newquay. As well as the 15″ gauge railway, it offers indoor and outdoor play, a café, shops and more. Drawing over 100,000 visitors annually, it was recently named Railway of the Year 2025 in the Heritage Railway Association Awards.