PEOPLE across Denbighshire will be welcomed aboard a special train of thought later this year to celebrate one of the county's best-loved heritage railways.

Llangollen Railway's Autumn Steam Gala will be taking place in October to celebrate its vibrant and important history in the area.

The gala will form part of Visit Wales' Year of the Sea, with the October-December theme being Connected Coasts.

The 10-mile line from Ruabon, near the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, to Barmouth, on the west coast of Wales, once played an important role in linking the busy industrial areas of Cheshire, Manchester and Liverpool with the holiday resorts of North Wales.

Family events at the gala include making luggage labels, a 'Steam trains to the seaside' children's poster competition, demonstration train loading, as well as a special exhibition telling the story of some of the viaducts, road bridges and station buildings along the railway line.

Peter Dickinson, gala co-organiser, said: “It will be a three-day feast of steam-hauled nostalgia.

“Our annual Autumn Steam Gala has become an important event on many enthusiasts’ calendars as it offers a varied range of trains running along our picturesque line.

“For nearly 100 years, the railway carried many thousands of holidaymakers over its tracks to seaside resorts right along the coast.

“This October’s gala will be a celebration of these much loved trains heading for the seaside during the 1950s and early 1960s.

“A great line-up of visiting locomotives will be supported by members of the Llangollen Railway's home fleet, recreating many of the authentic sights and sounds of the period.”

The steam engines BR Ivatt 2MT No. 46521 and No. 46521 will also be present, with more to be announced over the coming weeks.

A full working timetable will be released in the weeks leading up to the event.

Further information can be found at llangollen-railway.co.uk/event/autumn-steam-gala-12th-14th-october/