The Friends of the Kirklees Light Railway are preparing to celebrate their 20th annual Steam and Diesel Gala this September, with three days of intensive railway action at Whistlestop Valley.
The event is set to take place on Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026, with visiting locomotives Northern Rock and River Mite among the highlights.
The main gala weekend on September 12 and 13 will feature an intensive timetable alongside a wide range of attractions, including full-size and miniature traction engines, steam rollers, photo displays, workshop tours and miniature railway rides around the duck pond.
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The South Yorkshire Rock Choir is also due to perform at intervals on the Sunday.
One of the traditional highlights of the weekend will be the return of the infamous “Shelley or Bust” service on Sunday afternoon, marking the conclusion of the gala.
Friday, September 11 will act as a preview day, giving visitors the chance to see the steam team preparing and testing the locomotives ahead of the main weekend. Whistlestop Valley states that some of its usual facilities will not be operating on the preview day, although the Firebox Café will be open with a limited food offering.
The gala is organised by the Friends of Kirklees Light Railway, the volunteer group which supports Whistlestop Valley staff with the operation and maintenance of the railway.
Whistlestop Valley is home to the 15-inch narrow-gauge Kirklees Light Railway, which runs through the West Yorkshire countryside between Clayton West and Shelley.
Tickets and further information are available from the Whistlestop Valley website.