Bedfordshire railway announces 2027 events

Although it’s still 2026, the Leighton Buzzard Railway is looking ahead to 2027 and has released details of some of the events it has planned. Old favourites will again be appearing, including TV Characters such as Peppa Pig in July, and another visit by Bluey at the end of the summer. One of the highlights will be celebrations to commemorate Chaloner’s 150th birthday. Chaloner is a vertical boiler locomotive nicknamed a ‘Coffee-Pot’ and was built in 1877 for use in slate quarries in Wales. Chaloner’s birthday celebrations will be something to remember, as it will be shared by six visiting Coffee-Pots, the most working examples of this type of locomotive ever seen in the UK. Celebrations will take place on Sunday, March 7th, which is both Mother’s Day and the start of the 2027 operating season. The first train of the year will be waved away, as usual, by the Leighton Buzzard Town Crier. Easter Sunday and Monday follow on 27th and 28th March, when once again there will be an Easter Egg and chocolate hunt for children featuring the biggest Easter Bunny in Bedfordshire, to be followed by a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday 2nd and 3rd May, when children who bring their Teddies can join the treasure hunt and travel free. On Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday 30th and 31st May, Wild West Days take over, where visitors can try gold panning, horseshoe tossing, and lassoing whilst dressed up as Wild West characters. Anyone who brings a hobby horse will receive a free ride voucher. Father’s Day on Sunday, 20th June, is a special one for Dads, as they can take advantage of a free ride on the footplate. Other events during the year include a Vintage Vehicle & Classic Car Rally on Sunday, 27th, a visit by Peppa Pig on Sunday, 11th July, and a Beer Festival on Saturday and Sunday, 24th and 25th July. The summer holidays bring Blue Lights Day on Sunday, 15th August, with a new event paying respects to the emergency services, and a Pirate Attack on Bank Holiday Sunday & Monday, 30th and 31st August. Bluey returns on Sunday, 5th September 5th, followed by the Autumn Diamond Jubilee Gala on Saturday and Sunday, 11th and 12th September, and Junior’s Day on Sunday, 3rd October. As usual, Halloween will be celebrated with a Halloween Howl on Sunday, 31st October, and then there is a break until all the festive activities in December. Full information will be made available on their website, so keep an eye out for announcements.