Railway goes for alternative royalty over Bank Holiday

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A steam railway in Porthmadog, Wales is organising its own antidote to the Royal Wedding over the May Bank Holiday Weekend – treating its passengers like royalty instead.

The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway will be putting a red carpet along the platform, and letting people travel in its vintage first class carriages for no extra charge.

Visitors will be able to have a go at driving a locomotive for themselves.

One lucky adult per trip will get to be King or Queen of the railway and ride on the steam engine for the short trip along the line. Children will also have chance to make their own crown to wear.

Wendy Dearden, Commercial Manager of the WHHR, said:

“A number of us at the railway were joking that our invitations to the wedding had got lost in the post. But then we realised that our visitors are the most important people to us anyway.

“So this special weekend is a bit of an alternative celebration, and a way to say thank you to everyone who helps us keep the trains running. It’s also a chance to enjoy ourselves now that Prince William has given us an extra long weekend.”

Some of the women at the WHHR plan to wear their wedding dresses for the day on Friday 29th April, claiming that every girl wants an excuse to wear theirs again.

Wendy Dearden added:

“Anyone wearing their wedding outfit can travel for free on the Friday. I’m hoping I can still manage to get into my wedding dress.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the weather holds good, not just for Prince William, but also so people get chance to enjoy their extra day off.”

Additional attractions over the weekend include model railways on display, and a demonstration of one of the oldest petrol railway locomotives in Britain during the weekend

The Royal Gala starts on Friday 29th April at 10:30, and runs over the weekend until the afternoon of Monday 2nd May.

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