The Swindon (Model) Railway Festival is to return to the Great Western Railway Museum on 14th and 15th of September 2024
Taking place throughout the Museum, the Swindon Railway Festival combines all STEAM’s award-winning displays with a feast of model rail layouts.
This year’s festival includes over 20 incredible model railway layouts exhibited alongside iconic Swindon-built GWR locomotives.
Highlights of the festival will be:
- Hope-Under-Dinmore, EM Gauge Model Railway by South Hants Model Railway Club.
- A display of vintage Hornby locomotives and rolling stock from the Dubloseven group.
- Exquisite displays by the South West Meccano Club
- ‘Newton Heath Works,’ the long-awaited new creation by Mike Baker, which beautifully captures the essence of the Dorset clay industry.
- Displays from many local and national preserved heritage railway organisations.
- Fascinating modelling demonstrations, and access to specialist modellers for tips and advice on loco and wagon building.
- Trade stands selling model locomotives, kits and accessories, tools, and railway books and gifts.
- Special children’s interactive model railways, activity trails, and thought-provoking activities inside the museum.
On the Saturday, visitors will have access to the footplates of many of the famous locomotives on display at STEAM, including :
- Great Western Railway (GWR) 4-6-0 King Class No. 6000 King George V
- GWR 4-6-0 Castle Class No. 4073 Caerphilly Castle
- GWR 4-4-0 Class No. 3440 City of Truro
(The first two are currently on loan to STEAM from the National Railway Museum)
Throughout the festival, Swindon firm Hatch Heritage & Steam Engineers will showcase their collection of vintage traction engines, filling the front of the museum with smoky smells and evocative sounds.
There will be hot meals and snacks and a real ale bar in the festival’s outdoor enclosure. Visitors to the festival will have access to the STEAM museum’s facilities, including the excellent “Platform One” Cafe.
Don’t forget STEAM’s new exhibition series for 2024, entitled ‘GWR What’s Your Emergency?’ which highlights the emergency services, including Police, Fire and Ambulance and the importance these organisations have on the Great Western Railway.
Admission prices are: £14.50 for adults, £9.70 for children, and £11 for students and seniors. Under threes for free! Family tickets are also available. STEAM season ticket holders receive 10% off the event admission ticket price.
Doors open between 10am and 5pm on both days. STEAM encourages visitors to book tickets in advance via the Museum website: www.steam-museum.org.uk
This is the 22nd Swindon Railway Festival we’ve held at STEAM and is one of STEAM’s biggest annual events. It’s a celebration of all things Great Western Railway and features some of the UK’s finest model railway layouts.
The layouts are built by some of the UK’s most experienced and expert model railway creators, and some are brand new to the model railway circuit.
Sally Langheim, STEAM’s Events and Conferencing Officer
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