ON TRACK: Volunteers are putting the finishing touches to North Staffordshire's new narrow gauge railway ahead

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The Apedale Valley Light Railway (AVLR), at Apedale Community Country Park, Chesterton, will receive a gala opening this weekend.

The project, developed by Moseley Railway Trust, features one of the biggest collection of narrow gauge locomotives in the country.

Trust chairman Phil Robinson, pictured, said: "Opening the AVLR is a fantastic achievement for the trust and for its volunteers.

"It's been a long time coming, and that makes it all the more worthwhile. I'd like to pay tribute to the Moseley Railway Trust volunteers who have laboured tirelessly in all weathers to build and equip the railway."

The railway will be opened by Sir James Hawley, Staffordshire's Lord Lieutenant, at 11am on Sunday.

Three steam locomotives will be in operation during the event, which will run from 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Trains will run every Saturday until the end of October, from 11am to 4.30pm.

Picture: Wesley Webster