BARROW will be the starting point for the Salopian Express traditional railway excursion to Shrewsbury on March 27.

A diesel locomotive will pick to at Ulverston and Grange before a steam engine takes over from Carnforth on a return journey where tickets cost from £79 to £235.

The excursion — by Carnforth-based West Coast Railtours — revives the days of Furness railway specials to Wembley cup finals and seaside resorts until the end of the steam era in the 1960s.

You can find out more about the Salopian Express on the website at westcoastrailways.co.uk

On a much smaller scale, tomorrow and Sunday sees the Kendal Model Railway Exhibition at Kendal with 12 layouts, trade stands and displays by groups such as the Cumbrian Railways Association.

This county rail history group now has more than 500 members.

The model exhibition is open on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm.

Entry is £6 for adults and £3 for children aged six and over.

You can find out more on www.kendalmrc.org

Cumbrian Railways Association chairman, Philip Tuer, said: “The past 12 months has seen increasing membership numbers, now 500, attendance at exhibitions and events and preparing and launching new publications.

“The CRA is an active force in promoting greater knowledge and understanding of the railways of Cumbria both now and in the past.”

You can find out more about the work of the CRA on its website at www.cumbrianrailways.org.uk