THE ANNUAL steam gala at Blaenavon's Heritage Railway turned out to be another success this year with over 750 people visiting the historic railway over the weekend.

Now in its 31st year, the three day event running from Friday to Sunday last week, catered to railway fans with an impressive timetable of events featuring vintage, passenger and freight trains.

Set in the heart of a World Heritage Site on the edge of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, Blaenavon was packed over the weekend as railway enthusiasts and families from as far as Northampton came to see the trains which had travelled from all over the UK to be displayed.

Alex Hinshelwood, traffic manager organised the gala along with Alex Gourlay.

He said the event had been another success, featuring steam engine Rosyth 1 which was part of a rededication service carried out by the vicar at RAF St Athan in Cardiff.

“The atmosphere has been fantastic,” he said.

“The weather has been a bit murky but it has been really fantastic and lots of people have turned out.

“We have five engines in steam.

“The engines come from other railways so they are a sight that people in South Wales don’t see very often.”

The railway line originally opened in 1869 by the London and North Western Railway, but has been run as a heritage railway since 1983.

Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway travels through Blaenavon Industrial Landscape, at the highest altitude of any standard gauged preserved railway in England and Wales.

As well having a number of steam and diesel rolling stock and locomotives, a wide range of family friendly events are organised throughout the year.

“We are also 30 percent up on passenger numbers,” Mr Hinshelwood added.

“So we are doing really well as a voluntary organisation.”