TWO days of events mark the coming of railways to Hereford 150 years ago.
Railway history buff and author Gordon Wood put the idea of commemorating that red letter day of 1853 to various local groups and bodies that might have an interest in exhibiting.
The result is a series of shows over this Saturday and Sunday.
Herefordshire's rail lines - most of which have long since disappeared - carried the county into and through the early part of the 20th century and with them went its economic fortunes, said Gordon.
Until the railways came Hereford was not much more than a place to pass through he said. The city could even have been home to a major maintenance depot at the time, said Gordon. But there were 'political' objections and the depot eventually lost out to Abergavenny.
EVENTS TIMETABLE
SATURDAY:
l Display of diesel locomotives at Hereford (Barrs Court) station.
l Exhibition of 5in gauge steam locomotive models at Maylord Orchards Shopping Centre.
l Exhibition of historic documents and railway memorabilia at Hereford Town Hall - continuing at Hereford Museum and Art Gallery until January 21 2004.
l A vintage bus on display outside Hereford Town Hall.
l Farmers' Market in High Town and street entertainment including carol singers, a male voice choir and fairground rides.
SUNDAY:
l Railway and model exhibition plus Swapmeet at Hereford Leisure centre including model car racing, workshop and sales stands.
l Display of vintage steam engines, cars and motorcycles in Denco car park adjoining the leisure centre.
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