The Moseley Railway Trust is pleased to announce that the theme for the September 2011 Gala weekend will be "Made in Staffordshire". The Gala will be on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September 2011, at the Moseley Railway Trust’s Apedale Valley Light Railway, based in North Staffordshire. The event aims to celebrate the rich industrial heritage of Staffordshire. Central to the event will be the two Kerr Stuart steam locomotives which will be operating on the 2’0"gauge Apedale Valley Light Railway. These will be the newly-restored "Joffre" locomotive, dating from 1916, and 1917 built locomotive "Stanhope". Kerr Stuart were, of course, based just a few miles away from Apedale in Stoke on Trent.
Negotiations are continuing for other visiting locomotives, but it is hoped to have representatives from other Staffordshire based locomotive builders at the event. As ever, there will be a full complement of displays, sales stands and attractions to entertain and delight all the family, young and old.
Phil Robinson, MRT Chairman, said "The return to steam for the "Joffre" locomotive allows us to celebrate all that is "Made in Staffordshire". We are planning another great gala weekend".
The Moseley Railway Trust continues its search for surviving employees of Kerr Stuart, and a number of interesting leads are being followed up currently.
The Trust would be pleased to hear from potential exhibitors, especially those whose exhibits have a Staffordshire connection. Get in touch via the MRT website, http://www.mrt.org.uk/, or come and see us at Apedale any weekend. Passenger Trains commence running on the Apedale Valley Light Railway from Saturday 2nd April 2011.
The Gala will be open from 11.00 to 17.00 on each day. Further details will be announced as they become finalised.
