National community rail weekend begins on Friday – 16 May 2008 – with over 50 events taking place across the National Rail network.

This year’s events start with a range of guided walks from the scenic Derwent Valley Line between Derby and Matlock.

Walking from community rail line stations feature heavily this year with walks from many lines in Yorkshire, the East Lancashire Line and Wales.

The first ever music train runs on the edford – Bletchley Marston Vale line and a rare chance to sample a music train on the Medway Valley Line from Paddock Wood to Strood.

Some trains on Yorkshire’s Penistone line are being used as venues for the Shepley spring festival taking place over the same weekend.

A gala at Blaenau Ffestiniog station will be held on Saturday. The Conwy Valley Rail Initiative will be working with Arriva Trains Wales and the Ffestiniog Railway.

There will be local stalls, and a visiting quarry locomotive operating within the station confines.

All this week, until 18 May, the Ffestiniog Railway is offering holders of concessionary passes the chance to ride on their line for just £2.

Station galas aimed at the general public are taking place all over the country including Bridlington, Glossop, East Grinstead, Blackburn and Hellifield.

Neil Buxton, general manager of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships said; "This is the fourth national celebration of community rail. This year we have more events than ever taking place nationwide offering people the chance to get out and about and explore their local railway."

The Association of Community Rail Partnerships represents the interests of over 60 Community Rail Partnerships and station adoption groups across Britain.

A full list of events can be found on the ACoRP website www.acorp.uk.com


Information from Neil Buxton of ACoRP.