As part of Cirencester History Festival's opening weekend, the town will witness the extraordinary return of the lightweight train, the AC Railbus W79978, to its original platform at Cirencester Town Station — 61 years after its last visit.

This free drop-in event takes place on Saturday, October 25, and considering the Railbus's return to Cirencester, the Old Station Experience will now be open for an additional day on Sunday, October 26.

The railbus is the only surviving complete example of just five ever built. Its temporary relocation from Swindon and Cricklade Railway, where it is undergoing a full restoration, involves specialist transport, newly laid track, and intricate coordination — making it one of the most ambitious heritage rail movements in Cirencester's history.

Martin Rouse, owner of the AC Railbus W79978, said: "When Jess and Jonathan contacted me about involving this Railbus, I didn't hesitate. Built by AC Cars Ltd in 1958, it served on the Kemble to Cirencester branch and later Bodmin before being withdrawn in 1968. 

"It's a rare survivor of British Rail's experiment with lightweight rail vehicles. Bringing it back to Cirencester is more than symbolic — it's a living piece of transport history."

Jonathan Rixon, of Rixon Architects Ltd, leading the station's restoration, and Festival producer Jess Yarrow have worked closely with Martin Rouse, Travis Perkins, Cirencester Town Council, Cotswold District Council, Pete Briddon Transport, Swindon & Cricklade Railway and the Daniel Bingham Foundation to make the event possible.

Jonathan said: "The station building alone is a remarkable piece of industrial heritage, but to bring back the last one of its kind — on track, beside the original platform — is something few thought possible. It's been a full-on couple of weeks of planning and collaboration."

Jess added: "This has involved everything from sourcing authentic station memorabilia to coordinating with local authorities and heritage rail experts. The support from the community and our sponsors has been vital. It's a rare opportunity to see this vehicle in its original context."

The railbus will be on site for two days only, alongside the wider Old Station Experience, featuring:

• Guided tours of the Brunel-era station building
• Archive exhibitions
• Audio memories of the station pre-1965
• A VR recreation by Cirencester College students
• 1950s-style refreshments under a new canopy on the platform.

Jess added: "This has involved everything from sourcing original station memorabilia to coordinating with local authorities and heritage rail experts. The support from the community, the town and district council and our sponsors has been incredible, and, on behalf of the festival, I would like to thank them all."

The Cirencester History Festival runs from Friday, October 24, to Sunday, November 2, across 17 venues, with talks, film, music, crafts, and immersive activities for all ages. The Old Station Experience will also be open on Saturday, November 1.

Built in 1841 and closed in 1965, Cirencester Town Station was once the end of the line. Brunel invested in it to support the Stroud route and attract visitors. The building includes rare features such as a boardroom used by Brunel himself.

Additional background on AC Railbus W79978:

• Built by AC Cars Ltd in 1958, one of only five railbuses designed for the Western Region of British Railways. Four went to Western Region and one to Scotland.
• Originally operated on the Kemble branch lines, including services to Cirencester and Tetbury, until closure in 1964.
• Later transferred to Cornwall (Bodmin branch) and Scotland before final withdrawal in 1968.
• Entered preservation with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, then moved between heritage lines including Kent & East Sussex and Colne Valley.
• After years in open storage and deterioration, Martin Rouse acquired and began restoration in 2019, moving it to Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
• The vehicle remains almost entirely original, despite extensive corrosion and structural challenges during restoration.
• This Railbus used to shuttle between Cirencester - Kemble - Tetbury as a lightweight train aka Railbus.