Steam Galas in the UK

An event weekend where a heritage railway runs an intensive timetable with extra and visiting locomotives, often from first light to well after dark. It is the busiest, best-value way to experience a line, with far more variety than a normal running day.

Pick a big line with double track or passing loops so there is always something moving: the Severn Valley, Great Central or North Yorkshire Moors autumn events are safe bets. Go on the Saturday, buy a day rover, and do not try to see everything.

One ticket, unlimited travel, all day. At a gala it is the only ticket worth buying, because the whole point is riding behind as many different engines as possible and hopping off wherever the photographs are good.

Usually you can pay on the day, but advance tickets are a few pounds cheaper and events with a big-name visitor can sell out. Flying Scotsman visits in particular tend to go pre-book only, so check the listing.

Layers and decent footwear, because you will be on open platforms most of the day. Download or print the event timetable, phone signal at rural stations being what it is, and get to the bacon roll queue before the first arrival does.

Good for a couple of hours rather than a full day. The constant movement keeps kids interested, but gala crowds and long days wear small ones out, so plan an exit and consider the quieter Friday if the event runs three days.