STEAM, Museum of the Great Western Railway, STEAM is a great place to keep your children entertained during the school holidays It's not just children who can have an enjoyable time; in STEAM there is something to interest everyone,in the family.


As well as climbing aboard the famous locomotives, children can have a go at changing the signals in the museum ' s new high-tech signal box. Children can try their hand at building a bridge or even make their own wagon in the newly developed children' s area.

There's also the chance to meet real engine drivers and former GWR workers on Saturday 24 May, which is STEAM' s fortnightly “Meet the Railway Workers” event, taking place between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. GWR volunteers will bring the stories of steam to life and are always happy to show youngsters how the locomotives worked and let them try the controls.

The popular Smiley Cats Kidz Club, for children aged 4-11, is also back at STEAM for Half-Term. These morning sessions will run on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th April, between 9.30 am and 1.00 pm. Smiley Cats offer a structured programme of arts and crafts and creative games as well as a supervised tour of the Museum. The cost for Smiley Cats sessions is £11.00, or £8.60 with a Swindoncard.

STEAM is open every day, 10.00 am - 5.00 pm (last admission is 4.30 pm). STEAM is located right next to the Swindon Designer Outlet Centre, off Kemble Drive, Swindon.

For more information about STEAM or the Smiley Cats Kidz Club, visit www.swindon.gov.uk/steam or call (01793) 466646.

A Tour of Rail Ale, Trackcider and fish & chips. I thought I would end the week of training trackbacks, with a trip on the "Cheltenham Fryer". This tour is organised by the GWR (Glos Warks Railway) it runs from Toddington Station, to Cheltenham Racecourse station. The journey takes in some fantastic Cotswold countryside and even travels through a tunnel. On arrival there was an unexpected bonus, Wadebridge the West country class a Southern Loco, built by Bulleid was on the back of a lorry in the car park.



I had taken along Cllr Martin with me as he enjoys the odd pint now and again of Rail Ale, we even found an SBC, Council officer there and a former council officer who spends his spare time working as a volunteer on the railway. I would like to thank him for his efforts as it is people of is ilk, that volunteer their own time and keep the railway open. Whilst waiting for the "Fryer" I managed a quick video of Foremark Hall a Swindon built Loco: Click Foremark hall to view.Foremark Hall

The "Fryer" tonight was really well organised and everyone has their own table some like Nick and I had our own compartment and sat back and relaxed drinking in the atmosphere. There is table service, again this is provided by volunteers, who were very pleasant and friendly, as the outward journey progressed some Rail Ale and Trackcider, was consumed. With a pleasant taste it is deceiving so be careful if you consume any of the Trackcider, as it is stronger than you think! The Rail Ale is only half as potent.

Cheers!!!


The train was hauled by "Black Prince" a sister to the Evening Star the last Steam Loco built for B.R. at Swindon Works. Black Prince is a 2-10-0 9F and was built at Crewe in 1960, B.R. sold it to David Sheppard the wildlife artist in 1968, when only 8 years old. David has owned it for the last 40 years. It spends most of its time at the GWR.



The fish & chips were very tasty and served as you wait in the Racecourse Station. The train waits there for an hour so you can look around the station and watch as the Loco runs around; I managed a quick photo of the firebox.



The return back to Toddington rounded off the evening and as people left the train in the darkness broken by the glow from the light of the station lamps it really transported me back over 40 years. Nick also made the same comment and there were many other people making similar comments. Everyone appeared to be happy and cheerful, it is a great way to spend an evening and I can now see why trips are always sold out in advance.

It is Friday so I have been at this since Sunday when I started at Swindon and Cricklade Railway, been to York, Manchester and Severn Valley. It is difficult to go to Heritage Railways during week days as many of them are only open at Weekends. Tomorrow I have plans!!

I thought I would reflect on an icon of the 1960s I remember the Japanese "Bullet Train" or Shinkansen Tokiado from the Tokyo Olympics the XVIII Olympiad in 1964 some 44 years ago.

The country showcased this train to the world in 1964 as it could travel at 130mph. A network of Trunklines was opened and as they say the rest is history.

This is in the NRM, having been given as an exhibit by the railway company to the NRM.



This contributed to the growth of Tokyo from 1965 until today ensuring that it is now a "Mega City" it has a the Metropolis "greater Tokyo" has a population of some 35 million people. That is plenty of passengers.

Today it was the Severn Valley Railway at Bridgnorth and Highley. There was a Diesel Gala and it was ok for numbers, not too busy, but with the usual amount of "spotters". You know the ones, who buy two glasses of beer then sit at a table to give everybody the impression that they are with someone.

Class 52 Western Ranger was there, click to see video:
Class 52 Western Ranger

I went to the new Engine House a sort of small museum for locos, (compared to STEAM) that is, which cost 4.3 million pounds to build using Lottery money Bridgnorth Council money and European Grants.

In there was Gordon the Longmoor Military Railway Loco an Austerity, some of these were built at Swindon Works during the war, I went to see it as I have a photo of my father and his comrades that used to drive it. My father is second in from left.


I couldn't resist getting my own photo.



The staff and volunteers were very friendly and helpful and the coaching stock was in a very good condition. Allround a good day out.

Today it was a visit to the worlds oldest station purpose built and opened in 1830 in Manchester. The Liverpool Manchester Railway was the first commercial railway as we know it, designed to carry both passengers and freight. It joined the two great industrial centres of England and gave access to the sea, for an inland city. The City had several railway stations, most people will know this one as GMEX.



The oldest station forms part of the Museum Of Science and Industry (MOSI)and entrance is free into a comples of 5 large buildings, including the station, Warehouse and the old market. The following photo is of the station opposite the warehouse which were built each side of the lines,to allow easy transfer. Being the first station you will notice that there are no platforms!



Yesterday I spoke of Pandora, I found the other presrved one in MOSI complete with its nameplate the Ductch gave in back in 1987 as an exhibit, hence the livery.



The whole day at MOSI is interesting and exciting, I would recommend it to anyone, the one thing I liked was the 3ft high solid silver sculpture that was made to celebrate Stephenson's Summit Tunnel.




Well more tomorrow.

I left from what was in 1983 one of the last brand new stations built by BR it is built in an area similar to West Swindon or North Swindon and serves the neighbourhood. Free parking as well and a train service to die for, more than one train company uses it, so there is a good level of competition. Eat your heart out Swindon, Melksham, Westbury.

Trains to Manchester and Liverpool as well as onto Leeds, York etc. Still you can't have everything last night I couldn't find a Kebab shop within miles so a Macke D had to the first I have had in years.

I had an interesting time sorting tickest to get to York, they could be £33 or if you followed the procedure I did it was 28.50, but as usual National rail reckoned I could get the ticket for £24.50 but as ever the people at the station did not know that.

I visited the Nation Railway Museum York earlier today and the NRM is well worth a visit, it is free to enter and has lots to do I rode the Bullet Train.



There was so much to see but stuck in the corner was this gem perhaps it should have pride of place at STEAM?



The Lode Star looked superb but I also captured an electric loco from my childhood it was 27020 but I recall 27026 Pandora pulling into Manchester and it was brand new with a name on that was a warship "Pandora there were six of them 1500V DC and ran from Sheffield to Manchester" The locos were sold to the Netherlands Railways and this one and a sister one were saved and preserved. Sadly Pandora was cut up in 1986.



Where to tomorrow? let me think??