Following the huge success of last year’s event the “Steam Trains & Fair Organs Oktoberfest” will be taking place on Sunday October 17^th from 12 noon to 5pm in the grounds of the Mizens Railway, Barrs Lane, Knaphill.

This local day out with a difference will offer not only the chance to enjoy rides on the mile long 7 ¼ in gauge miniature steam railway but also to see and hear some magnificent vintage mechanical fairground organs which will be attending as part of a unique festival. Up to six different instruments will be playing throughout the day around the site.

This fairground organ festival attracts “enthusiasts” from far and wide.  Last year saw visitors travelling from as far away as Cornwall and Scotland. There was also a contingent of visitors from Holland who had made the journey specially to attend.

One of the antique mechanical organs this year will itself be on a first time visit to the UK and its owner is travelling from his home in Munich, Germany with the organ specially to attend the event.  This is a local event which is fast becoming one that is famous internationally among devotees of these mechanical musical masterpieces from the past.

To add to the atmosphere all the trains in service on this special day will be hauled by steam locomotives.  The sights and sounds of the old time organs combined with the whistles from the steam engines and the aroma of steam coal and hot oil should prove quite a nostalgic cocktail for the senses.

With an old time children’s fun fair, crafts stalls and demonstrations, an authentic Oktoberfest style Bockwurst food stall and a beer tent provided by The Garibaldi Pub to complete the scene, there will be something for all the family.  There is free parking on site and facilities for the disabled.

Admission £1.00 per person. A Souvenir Programme will also be available to purchase.

For more information and to view some great photographs taken at last year’s Oktoberfest go to www.mizensrailway.co.uk and click on “programme 2010”.  Under the Oktoberfest heading is a link to two sets of great photos which capture the atmosphere of last year’s event.
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Sincere thanks to Paul Kirrage for organising this unique event and to Mizens Railway for hosting it at their beautiful site in Knaphill.

Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Paul Kirrage & Ron Dewar (Mizens).