A STEAM locomotive named in memory of one Cornwall’s best-known railway figures made an emotional first visit to the county.

Mr Hallworth, named in memory of Tony Hallworth from Wadebridge, visited Lappa Valley as part of its biggest ever gala weekend held on June 13 and 14.

The locomotive is named in memory of Tony Hallworth who was a hugely respected figure in the heritage railway world, inspiring and mentoring generations of railway volunteers through his work across Cornwall and beyond, including at Bodmin Railway.

Mr Hallworth, which visited Lappa Valley courtesy of Perrygrove Railway Adventure, and Spirit of Adventure were operated on Lappa Valley’s 15-inch gauge main railway, signifying a milestone as the first ever visiting locomotives to run on the main railway.

For many visitors and railway enthusiasts, the locomotive’s appearance at Lappa Valley was far more than a visiting engine taking part in a gala. It was a homecoming.

Spirit of Adventure, also appearing courtesy of Michael Crofts and the Perrygrove Railway Adventure, made its own mark on the weekend.

The largest 15-inch gauge Exmoor-built tank engine ever constructed brought further significance to an already historic event and proved a popular sight with families and railway enthusiasts throughout the weekend.

Alongside the visiting engines, Lappa Valley’s home fleet steam locomotives Zebedee, Muffin and Ellie carried a record number of passengers, with thousands of journeys taken across its three railways.

There was also visiting steam on the Lakeside Railway, with Kilgharrah running special services thanks to Kelvin Stapleton.

The 7¼-inch gauge locomotive added another layer to the weekend, giving visitors the chance to enjoy guest steam across even more of Lappa Valley’s railway network.

Among the most eagerly anticipated moments were the parallel runs, affectionately known by many visitors as the “train races.”

The bragging rights went to the visitors on the first day of the gala, as Mr Hallworth and Spirit of Adventure took victory in a thrilling parallel run which drew cheers from the crowds.

Lappa Valley’s own flagship steam locomotive Zebedee teamed up with Spirit of Adventure to take the honours in another memorable race on the second day of the gala, bringing one of the weekend’s most popular traditions to a suitably dramatic close.

Visitors also enjoyed double-headed trains, non-stop runs, special formations, additional services on the Newlyn Downs Branch Line, miniature traction engines on display across the site, and a packed programme of railway activity.

The weekend ended with a spectacular grand finale featuring every available main railway locomotive taking a final bow together. The train was formed of all available carriages making it one of the most ambitious and memorable trains ever assembled at Lappa Valley.

Ben Harding, operations director at Lappa Valley, said: “Mr Hallworth coming to Lappa Valley was incredibly special.

“Tony Hallworth meant a great deal to so many people in the railway world, particularly here in Cornwall, and to see a locomotive named in his memory running in the county was a very moving moment.

“The weekend was a true homecoming, and we were honoured to play a part in that story.”