ONE very special train made it into Bolton station this weekend despite its closure for a celebration of all things transport.

The miniature coal-fired locomotive was the star attraction at the Bolton Station Community Development Partnership community gala on Saturday.

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Hundreds of railway and bus enthusiasts came from across the town and beyond to the action packed event, held at the station and bus interchange.

Marking 50 years since the last steam locomotive left the town's loco sheds on Crescent Road, the gala recognised the continuing importance of public transport in people's lives.

The event was also a culmination of a new partnership between Network Rail and local transport groups, seeking to breathe new life back into the station and make it a community hub.

Event organiser and partnership chairman, Paul Salveson, said: "We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response from the people of Bolton.

"Everybody has had a great time which is what its all about.

"The long term vision is about making Bolton station into a community hub and this is the first step in that direction.

Karen Hornby, head of performance and customer relations at Network Rail, added: "We love to support things like this and we work very closely with communities giving something back.

"I think the response has been great and the enthusiasm is amazing."

Across the day visitors could enjoy fun and activities with more than than 35 stalls from community groups, small businesses, transport enthusiast societies and arts bodies, as well as take a trip down the platform on the miniature engine.

Also around the interchange, performances and a specially written play were put on by Bolton Octagon’s Youth Theatre and Bolton School’s Young Company in association with Rough House Theatre, and a classic Bolton Corporation double-deckers was on hand to give rides around the town.

Harvey Scowcroft, aged 69, from the community's partnership's heritage group, said: "It has been a marvellous day. It has been a big community day, everybody has got together and there has been a lot of interest.

"We have also been able to get reminisce with people from our younger days who are all coming back."