What a weekend! The Severn Beach Miniature Railway team is thrilled to share the overwhelming success of our visit to the Castle Combe Steam and Vintage Rally. After weeks of preparation and hard work, it all came together in a wonderful celebration of steam, heritage, and community.
A Labour of Love
In the days leading up to the event, our volunteers were hard at work restoring the ex-Clevedon miniature railway carriages. From sanding and priming to top coating and detailing, the carriages were given a fresh lease of life, ready to delight passengers once again. Five of our dedicated team members rolled up their sleeves with brushes in hand to make sure everything was perfect before loading day.
All Aboard for Castle Combe
Thanks to the generous support of Red Hot Logistics, who kindly sponsored our transport, the railway was carefully packed and delivered to the rally site. With track laying, signage, fencing, safety checks, and souvenir stall setup, Friday was a full day of activity. Spirits were high and, by evening, the locomotive was in steam for test runs — and everything ran beautifully.
A Warm Welcome and Big Crowds
The event itself was buzzing. From the moment the gates opened, our steam-powered miniature train was in constant demand. Visitors of all ages queued up to enjoy a ride on our 400-metre double-loop track. Many commented on how easy the carriages were to board, how beautifully the locomotive ran, and how peaceful the ride was — a real highlight for many families.
We were especially touched by the support from locals in Severn Beach and Pilning, many of whom made the trip to see us in action. It was also heartening to hear from several visitors who expressed interest in joining our team as volunteers — a wonderful reminder of how special this project is to our wider community.
Building Momentum
With glorious weather, packed rides, and fantastic feedback, this weekend was more than we could have hoped for. It’s another step forward in raising awareness for the Severn Beach Miniature Railway and building momentum ahead of our official launch.
To everyone who visited, supported, donated, or volunteered — thank you. Your enthusiasm makes everything worthwhile.
Stay tuned for more updates, photos, and videos from the weekend, and follow us as we continue building something exciting for the local area.
Check out all the video from the event here – https://www.facebook.com/severnbeachminiaturerailway
