1450 was used both weekends on autotrains, but also got involved in double heading and working other trains. All trains ran as planned and locomotives performed well. The weather wasn’t as bright on the second weekend, but remained mostly dry. The new museum at Capel Coch on Corwen’s High Street was open and had a strong railway presence displaying some interesting artefacts and photographs depicting local industrial narrow gauge railways as well as the Ruabon-Barmouth line and the story of the LR’s return to the town. Trains were top and tailed each day along the newly opened extension to Corwen East where there was a marquee with society stands and the local townsfolk had put on a small ‘fair’ with local products and businesses being showcased. 3205 was visiting from the South Devon Railway and looked especially good when operating the three coach suburban coach set. 4270 which had only returned to steam for the first time at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway less than a year ago. 45231 The Sherwood Forester, Jeremy Hosking’s heavy freight 2-8-0T No.

92214 from the Great Central Railway, West Country Pacific Wells, Black 5 No.

The first of the two weekends enjoyed the better of the weather with the sun shining for two of the three days and photographers treated to some superb conditions in which to capture the line up of guest and resident locomotives working in multiple and on some unusual formations. Running earlier than usual due to the Llangollen Railway’s own anniversary events also being held in the spring, SSSIV was held over two long weekends from March 6-8 and 13-15. Steel, Steam & Stars IV has been hailed a great success despite passenger numbers being down on previous SSS events.

Towards the stars steam