Advice needed please
regarding a Steam Railway experience.
My husband is very interested in steam engines and I would like to buy him a day on a steam train as a Christmas present. I have done some research on the internet but I'm not really sure what to look for and prices differ. We live in Oxfordshire but I would be happy to combine this trip with a few days away so don't really mind whereabout in the country this might be. If anyone can recommend a really enjoyable and informative day with hands on experience I would be eternally grateful. Thank you in advance. Kate |
I can thoroughly recommend a Fire & Drive course at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
http://www.gwsr.com/enthusiasts/firi...g-courses.aspx Bookings are now being taken for experience days from 1st April. You can combine the visit to Toddington with a break in the lovely Cotswolds – some excellent hotels in Stow on the Wold. |
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Last time I was down that way we stayed at Broadway (caravan site) and that is a lovely village. |
Thank you pre65 and boilersuit. We have been to Toddington many times, it's not too far from us, and I'm sure we went to an anniversary day there this year. He wants to have a go at driving the train so that is what I'm looking for, an informative and fun day. Of those I looked at online, GWR was most expensive and I wondered if there were any that were as good but perhaps not quite so expensive, otherwise he may have to wait until next year! I'll keep popping back when he's not around to see if you have any other ideas.
Thank you. Kate |
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It may be too far for you to travel but the Kent & East Sussex Railway do them: http://www.kesr.org.uk/railway-experiences.html
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Hello Kate the Mate and welcome to the Railway Forum.
Both the West Somerset and the Seven Valley Railway do driver experience days. The West Somerset Railway is the longest preserved railway in the country and there is no shortage of accommodation in Minehead, from B&B to hotels. |
Welcome to the Forum Kate. I think you have got a good selection to choose from there.
Best wishes, John H-T. |
Didcot is another option, although there's very little running line of course. Maybe the Mid Hants at Ropley, Hampshire would be somewhere you could get to.
Good Luck! Tony |
Kate come to Chinnor we will give you and your husband a grand day out,the line is an interesting one and has reasonable gradients to provide a good driving challenge.Go onto our website and you will see full details of all our activities and services. Chris
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I did a steam drivers coarse at Telford which was good value and well run. It is a quiet line with no regular trains as such. The larger places are very busy commercially and that gets in the way. You could also try they Lavender Line in East Sussex which is near the Bluebell Railway but totally separate and they specialise in driver training days. Enjoy your day as you will be kept busy taking photos!
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Hi there! Welcome to the forum :)
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Hi Kate, It would be nice if you could let the forum know which railway you went to and how you both enjoyed the experience when you have made a choice.
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Hello Kate
The East Lancashire Railway do the footplate experience courses and of course Lancashire is famous for it's hospitality and you could always try the famous Bury black puddings while your here. Then there is the Keighley and Worth Valley railway, they also do the footplate courses and the pub over the road does a cracking pint of Black sheep bitter. Both railways have a good internet site to look at. Alan |
Hello Kate
For a low cost, high value for money course try the Chasewater railway at Brownhills. Nearby are places like Birmingham and Black Country museum. Richard |
Well, after going through all your suggestions and getting totally confused I decided to ask my OH for his choice. On the one hand he now knows what he is getting for Christmas but on the other hand he is going to get the day he wanted and is already looking forward to it.
His choice is Chinnor, mainly because he has been there many times, it's not too far away and he was tempted by the 'good driving challenge' recommended in Chris' post. So, I'll be booking Chinnor for him and will definitely come back and let you know how we get on. Thanks for all your replies to my original post. Best regards for a Happy Christmas. Kate |
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