An important anniversary is fast approaching at Avon Valley Railway, which is inviting visitors to join the activities as well as a host of other events taking place throughout 2016.
 
The Avon Valley line was closed in the 1960s as part of the nationwide Beeching cuts, and Sunday 6 Mar 2016 marks 50 years to the day that the last passenger trains arrived at Bitton Station.
 
Staff and volunteers are currently putting together plans to mark the occasion and hope the public will join them to commemorate the milestone.
 
There will be plenty of opportunity for visitors to join the fun at the heritage attraction throughout the year, with many of the popular annual events returning, alongside some new activities for 2016.
 
In a first for Avon Valley Railway, a classic tale set in the heyday of steam will be brought to life in an open-air theatre show.
 
Chapterhouse Theatre will put on a unique performance of E Nesbit's "The Railway Children" on Wednesday, 24 Aug 2016, and Thursday, 25 Aug 2016, complete with a real steam train as the perfect backdrop.
 
Avon Valley will also be inviting families to meet a famous character whose name is synonymous with Britain's railways.
 
Paddington Bear will be dropping in at Bitton Station during the weekend of 14 and 15 May 2016 to greet visitors, who will also find plenty of family-friendly activities on offer.
 
Children and their families will get their first chance of the year to hop on board one of Avon Valley's heritage diesel trains during the February half-term holidays, when there will be trips running every day from 6 to 21 Feb 2016, except Monday and Friday.
 
The trains will be at the heart of the action during the Diesel Gala on 12 and 13 Mar 2016 when a variety of diesel locomotives will be hauling passenger and freight trains during the weekend.
 
Free train travel will be on offer to children who bring their teddy bears to a Teddy Bears' Picnic at Bitton Station on 10 Jul 2016 or 18 Sep 2016 when there will also be arts and crafts, Punch and Judy, balloon modelling, and a teddy bear hunt.
 
During the August Bank Holiday weekend, from 27 to 29 Aug 2016, it's grandparents who will be able to enjoy discounted rides along the Avon Valley line when they bring the grandchildren for a fun-packed day out.
 
The trains will be sharing the spotlight with other historic vehicles on 31 Jul 2016 when the 13th annual Vintage Bus Rally celebrates Bristol's transport heritage with dozens of buses on show and the chance to ride some of them from Brislington Park and Ride to Bitton Station.
 
Visitors will also be transported back in time when the popular 1940s Weekend returns on 24 and 25 Sep 2016, turning back the clock to take a light-hearted look at life during the war with dressing-up, displays, music, vehicles, and refreshments.
 
The Pines Express dining car is being re-launched for 2016 to offer delicious three and two course Sunday lunches as well as, for the first time, afternoon tea with prosecco, dainty cakes, pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches.
 
Commercial manager Mark Simmons said, "Avon Valley Railway's events have built up a great following among local families and rail enthusiasts, offering unique experiences at great value. We are delighted to see the return of many old favourites, from the Diesel Gala and Vintage Bus Rally to the Teddy Bears' Picnics and Santa Steam Specials, which have become as much a part of the year for our visitors as they are for us. It is also exciting to be hosting a number of new events and we can't wait to welcome Paddington Bear and to see The Railway Children re-enacted here, what could be a better backdrop for this classic tale? It is also a milestone year for Avon Valley Railway, as we couldn't let the 50th anniversary of the last passenger trains on the line pass without marking the occasion and we hope as many people as possible join us."
 
Avon Valley Railway could not offer its packed programme of events without the vital work of volunteers, who are involved in every aspect of running the attraction, from driving the trains to working on the platforms, helping to run various events, gardening, selling tickets, and much more, as well as ongoing restoration projects at the site.
 
To find out more about getting involved, visit Volunteers' Day on Sunday, 17 Apr 2016, from 11:00 to 16:00.
 
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