A STEAM train, live music and static displays will celebrate the 125th anniversary of March Railway Station at a special event on Saturday.

The celebrations start at 7.50am – earlier than the 9.10am originally planned – when the Christmas White Rose steam train comes through the station.

Christmas carols will be played by an organist from 8.45am before NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay and Councillor Alan Melton, Leader of Fenland District Council, welcomes visitors.

Their speeches will be followed by March Brass 2000 performances, displays along the platforms by March Vintage and Veteran Cycle Club and more Christmas carols.

For railway enthusiasts there will be displays of memorabilia and photographs of the station through the years. March Model Railway Club will also have a display and the March to Wisbech Bramley Line group has a display which includes a video.

Children and adults can enjoy train rides along the platforms thanks to the Fenland Light Railway.

Refreshments and mince pies will be served to keep visitors warm.

A prize draw raffle with numerous small gifts will raise funds for the Friends of March Station, which has applied to become a community interest company and gain independence from Fenland District Council. The move will enable the Friends group, which was formed through the town’s Street Pride group, to apply for grant funding.

Visitors are asked to park in the car park at Fenland Hall in County Road to avoid parking congestion at the station.

Jeanette Millner, the council’s Street Pride co-ordinator, said: “The forecast for the weekend is warmer, it is going to be above freezing.

“A great big thank you to all the Friends of the Station. They have worked like tigers to make sure everything is ready for the event.

“They are all looking forward to it and we hope it will be a huge success. We hope people will come along and see what we have done and support us.

“The station is a key part of March, an important gateway to the town, and I am sure people will appreciate what we are doing.”