A RAILWAY museum continued with its busy events schedule as it hosted two popular days for visitors.

Wakes Colne’s East Anglian Railway Museum hosted both its miniature railway rides and steam gala last weekend.

The Steam Gala’s return was welcomed as it is the first the museum has hosted for two-and-a-half years.

Halstead Gazette: The Number 54 train takes passengers on a ride (Picture: Aaron Howard)The Number 54 train takes passengers on a ride (Picture: Aaron Howard) (Image: Aaron Howard)

Halstead Gazette: Visitors on a freight (Picture: Aaron Howard)Visitors on a freight (Picture: Aaron Howard) (Image: Aaron Howard)

The Gala is popular with the museum’s visitors and members, and all of the charity’s operational fleet of locomotives were in operation, giving rides and demonstrations on the day.

Guests enjoyed unlimited rides with passenger and freight trains, and also undertook a range of shunting demonstrations as well as 'double-heading' trains.

The museum’s home fleet of steam locomotives including the Number 54, Jubilee and Number 11 were in action.

Halstead Gazette: Guests on an open wagon (Picture: Amy Rogers)Guests on an open wagon (Picture: Amy Rogers) (Image: Amy Rogers)

Halstead Gazette: An enthusiast speaks to driver James Kindred (Picture: Craig Greenslade)An enthusiast speaks to driver James Kindred (Picture: Craig Greenslade) (Image: Craig Greenslade)

A spokesman said: “Despite the weather on the Sunday, which failed to dampen the spirits of the event, we welcomed a good number of people who enjoyed the rides and demonstrations which our team of volunteers put on.”

The museum previously stressed how important their events are to support the charity.

Halstead Gazette: Guard Mike Bradley (Picture: Craig Greenslade)Guard Mike Bradley (Picture: Craig Greenslade) (Image: Craig Greenslade)

Halstead Gazette: The Steam Crew (Picture: Craig Greenslade)The Steam Crew (Picture: Craig Greenslade) (Image: Craig Greenslade)

A spokesman said: “These events are always a welcome boost to us revenue wise, as this time of year we, along with other such attractions, start to have to wind down for the quieter winter season.

“This year we are conscious as is everyone about the cost of things like electricity, and in our case coal, increasing which adds pressures to running the museum, having held our admission prices for 2022 at 2021 levels to allow families to enjoy a day out with us.

“The museum is open weekends and Wednesdays throughout the year, and whilst the Steam Gala was our last standard event, we are open this weekend for our popular Day out with Thomas event."

Thomas will also return in December along with Santa. Booking is essential from the museum website.

Halstead Gazette: Mike Bradley and Gary Coomber (Picture: Craig Greenslade)Mike Bradley and Gary Coomber (Picture: Craig Greenslade) (Image: Craig Greenslade)

Halstead Gazette: Josh Fortescue waters Jubilee (Picture: Craig Greenslade)Josh Fortescue waters Jubilee (Picture: Craig Greenslade) (Image: Craig Greenslade)

For more information on all future events at the museum, visit earm.co.uk.