Inspirational Breaks
The ultimate inspirational weekend away – exclusive access to GWR locomotives and stock, and only with Model Rail.
Join Model Rail magazine for a new kind of weekend break that gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Great Western Society’s unparalleled collection of historic GWR locomotives and rolling stock, to help you make your models even more realistic.
Join the Model Rail team and people who are passionate about modelling – get close to the action, touch, feel, photograph and measure, and get all the details you need to take your hobby to the next level…
FRIDAY MARCH 23
3pm Arrive at the hotel. Take advantage of the leisure centre and facilities and meet the group. 6pm Join the Model Rail team and your fellow group for a welcome drink before dinner. 6.30pm Three-course meal followed by a talk from Chris Leigh entitled ‘50 Years in Modelling Media’. Learn all his top tips and secrets to help you make the most of your behind-the-scenes weekend.
SATURDAY MARCH 24
Breakfast 9.30am Transfer by coach to the amazing Didcot Railway Centre. Immerse yourself in its history with exclusive access to the site INCLUDING access to the branch line. Explore the signal boxes and the broad gauge railway, then indulge yourself taking photographs and measurements. See the locomotive and carriage workshops and carriage sheds, exploring inside the GWS’ unique collection of historic vehicles, normally inaccessible to the public. Browse the architectural salvage yard, which holds rescued parts from Crossrail and Reading station rebuilds, plus a Second World War air raid shelter. A locomotive will be in steam for photography. Two-course lunch and drink will be provided. 2.30pm Coach transfer to Pendon Museum – a mecca for fans of finescale modelling and pre-second World War England, which will be kept open late just for this tour. Enjoy the stunning model-making from Britain’s most talented modellers at Pendon Museum… and find out how this miniature wonderland was built. 5.30pm Coach transfer back to the hotel. 7pm Three-course dinner.
SUNDAY MARCH 25
Breakfast 9.30am Coach transfer to Swindon Steam Museum and Railway Village tour. Be inspired by the GWR’S most famous locomotives – King George V, Caerphilly Castle and City of Truro – on the site where they were built, the GWR’S spiritual home of Swindon Works. Gain further insight with a highlight tour, featuring an exclusive talk from Kevin Shurmer on different aspects of the railway and an object handling session. Buffet lunch Enjoy a specially developed tour to explore the story of the GWR and Swindon at the Railway Village. This isn’t part of the normal programme, and it will give you a thorough insight into the lives of GWR workers. 3pm Coach transfer back to the hotel.