August Steam Gala – Bala Lake Railway

29th - 31st August 2026

This year’s gala will feature all available steam locomotives from our fleet plus special guest visiting engine 'Hugh Napier' normally based at the Ffestiniog Railway, operating our intensive Pink Timetable throughout the event.

We'll also be running some freight services between Llanuwchllyn and Llangower using some wagons from our extensive historic collection some of which will be hauled by our battery electric locomotive 'Terminator'.

At Llangower, we will be undertaking a special shunting manoeuvre to allow two passengers trains to pass while the freight is also at the station.

The features for the August gala will include the following:

All available locos in steam
Guest visiting steam locomotive 'Hugh Napier'
Frequent passenger services
Demonstration freight trains
Some trains double-headed
Miniature railway in operation at Llanuwchllyn
Heritage bus services running between Bala station and the town

Click here to download the full 2026 Gala Timetable.

Click here to download the Heritage Bus Timetable.

See our gallery pages for more pictures from previous years events.

Rover ticket prices:

	One Day	Extra Day
Adult	£32	£15
Concession	£30	£15
Child	£12	£6

Please visit our online shop to book tickets.

Note: Discounted fare options (e.g. Heritage Railway Association and TRPS) will not be available for this event. BLRS members should contact us to book members tickets.

Tickets for additional days need to be purchased separately from the first day. You can use your booking number in the discount code box to claim the reduced rate.

For more information on the Rover tickets and how you can use the Rover to reserve seats on specific trains in advance, please see the FAQ.

Train Timetable

Timetable: pink										Only May 23/24 Aug 29/30
Llanuwchllyn	dep	10.10	11.00	11.50	12.40	1.30	2.20	3.10	4.00	5.20
Llangower / Llangywair	dep	10.20	11.10	12.00	12.50	1.40	2.30	3.20	4.10	5.30
Bala	arr	10.35	11.25	12.15	1.05	1.55	2.45	3.35	4.25	5.45

Bala	dep	10.50	11.40	12.30	1.20	2.10	3.00	3.50	4.35	5.50
Llangower / Llangywair	dep	11.10	12.00	12.50	1.40	2.30	3.20	4.10	4.50	6.05
Llanuwchllyn	arr	11.25	12.15	1.05	1.55	2.45	3.35	4.25	5.00	6.20

Freight Departures

Demonstration Freight Trains operate between Llanuwchllyn and Llangower, departing Llanuwchllyn at 10.35, 12.20 and 2.50. Return freight trips from Llangower depart at 11.30, 1.10 and 3.40. These trains do not have any passenger accomodation.