Commemorative trains mark 150th anniversary of first passenger service to Sharpness
The line's usually just used for freight
Today marks the beginning of a unique celebration by the Vale of Berkeley Railway, offering train travel on the historic Sharpness branch line to commemorate 150 years since the inaugural passenger journey.
Special train services will continue on 1st August and 2nd August 2026, allowing passengers to explore the route that was once closed over 60 years ago.
These rides, aboard the Class 143 Pacer train, will take participants on a journey starting from Oldminster Sidings in Sharpness, passing the site of the former Berkeley Station, and onto Berkeley Road junction before returning to Sharpness.
This event is not only a celebration of railway history but also an essential fundraiser for the Vale of Berkeley Railway.
Funds raised will go towards improving the facilities at Oldminster Sidings and establishing the railway as a vital asset for the Sharpness community.
An additional highlight of the event includes the opportunity to 'Drive for a Fiver', where attendees can try driving the Planet diesel shunter at Oldminster Sidings.
Narrators will accompany the journey, sharing stories of the Sharpness branch and the Pacer trains, offering passengers a deeper insight into the history of this railway line.