Visitors to Steam this weekend can admire highly detailed model railway scenes and get up close to real steam locomotives at this year’s annual Swindon Railway Festival.
There will be more than 30 trade stalls offering a wide range of GWR and railway memorabilia, model railway kits and accessories, railway art and books, GWR gifts and heritage railway displays.
People wanting to develop their model railway hobby can get plenty of tips and advice from exhibitors and the live modelling demonstrations taking place throughout the weekend.
Carolyn Lovett, Events Officer at STEAM, said: “Swindon Railway Festival is one of our biggest events. It’s a unique celebration of all things railway and features some of the finest model railway layouts in the UK.
“This year we‘re excited to host 27 layouts covering the whole range of gauges, and many of them will be on show for the first time.”
“These beautiful displays are skillfully built by dedicated enthusiasts and we can’t wait to share them with our visitors. Models and backdrops include the finest minutiae - on engines, rolling stock, figurines and scenery - to recreate railway scenes of the past.
“We have two children's interactive model railways at the show, so our young visitors can really use their imagination.
“Festival admission includes the whole Museum so everyone can enjoy our three new exhibitions, exploring the theme of GWR publicity, plus our new arrival, the heavy freight locomotive No. 2818.”
Special guests Hatch Heritage & Steam Engineers will present a live steam display in an enclosure outside the Museum, with the sounding of the steam-powered Swindon Works Hooter - on the hour, every hour - on both days of the festival.
On Saturday, visitors can get onto the footplate of GWR 4-6-0 King Class No. 6000 King George V*, GWR 4-6-0 Castle class No 4073 Caerphilly Castle* and GWR 4-4-0 Class No. 3440 City of Truro* as ‘Meet the Railway Workers’ volunteers share GWR facts and anecdotes.
Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for STEAM, said: “The Swindon Railway Festival is the perfect tribute to the town’s railway heritage and offers a fantastic day out for all ages.
“The sounds of the replica Swindon Works Hooter will certainly add to the special atmosphere on both days.
“This popular event appeals to railway enthusiasts and families alike as visitors are invited to step into the bygone age of steam railways.”
Now in its 17th year and supported by Railway Modeller Magazine and the Association of Larger Scale Railway Modellers, the festival takes place at STEAM from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 8 September 2018 and Sunday, 9.
More information about STEAM and the Swindon Railway Festival can be found on the Museum’s website at: www.steam-museum.org.uk or you can call 01793 466637.
Admission prices: Adult £12.50; Senior (65+yrs) £9.50; Child (3-15 yrs) £8.50; Student (£9.50). Family tickets available from £21.00. Under threes go free. You can buy tickets online (at www.steam-museum.org.uk) or on the door.
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