Visit to the UK

There are some choices to make. I would like to visit at least one railway site before we leave. There is the Didcot Railway Centre, Pendon Model Railway and the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway. I believe they are all within easy driving distance from Witney.

Would anyone have thoughts as to a preference?
 
Madman said:
There are some choices to make. I would like to visit at least one railway site before we leave. There is the Didcot Railway Centre, Pendon Model Railway and the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway. I believe they are all within easy driving distance from Witney.

Would anyone have thoughts as to a preference?
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It depends what you'd like. I've not visited any so I stand to be corrected. My impressions are that they are all worth visiting and each is rather different. Simplistically Didcot is a museum with many items kept in running order and used on a relatively short demonstration line. Pendon is what it says, a model railway. The Gloucester Warwickshire Railway is a preserved line running for a reasonable distance through pleasant countryside.
 
Hi Dan - If you decide to visit the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway (GWR) it might be an ides to check their website on your computer to see when their locos will be in steam. Have a great time.
 
As said previously its what takes your fancy, take a look here - http://www.heritagerailways.com/Visits_Map.php
Scroll through the side bar and select a railway and the click on the highlighted website link. shown. Pendon link here - https://www.pendonmuseum.com/Pendon. They are not a heritage railway.

Didcot is a great place but only has 2 short running lines but has an amazing collection. Pendon will blow your mind if you are into fine scale model railways, their backstory is quite interesting too. Both are near neighbours and closest to Whitney so you could easily "do" both in one day.

If getting a good run on a proper line then The Gloucester and Warwickshire is favourite of mine with some nicely restored stations but you cannot get into the engine shed. Severn Valley is probably one of the top preservation lines in the UK and will be worth the trip. It's got it all, including a 16 mm garden railway group that run on Sundays adjacent to one of the stations.

Check on each to make sure they are running. Enjoy your day. Max
 
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Pendon and Didcott are doable in the same day. For a modeller Pendon is to my mind, a must, though it doesn't need a whole day on it's own, a couple to three hours is sufficient. The problem is it is only open at weekends now, apart from Wed Oct 26th (School Hols).
 
Will you be able to fit in a visit to GRS, Dan....?
Just over 30 miles from where you're staying, about an hour's drive.

Jon.
 
Zerogee said:
Will you be able to fit in a visit to GRS, Dan....?
Just over 30 miles from where you're staying, about an hour's drive.

Jon.
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I would love to visit. Thursday through Sunday have things penciled into My wife's book, but nothing is set in stone.

What town would be closest to you ?
 
Madman said:
I would love to visit. Thursday through Sunday have things penciled into My wife's book, but nothing is set in stone.

What town would be closest to you ?
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Sorry Dan, I think you misunderstood my question - I was asking if you were going to manage to fit in a visit to Garden Railway Specialists, the shop in Princes Risborough.....

While I'd be more than happy to have you visit me, I'm way over the other side of London and a long way out of your zone of operations I think!

Jon.
 
No problem. He who understands last usually had it explained to him.....lol
 
Dan I'm so sorry that I have not been in contact, I either have a virus or a bad reaction to the flu jab I had recently, I have spent most of the time in bed and although do feel marginally better today, I would not be good company and I certainly don't want to send you home with 'something nasty!' . I think you said you fly out on Tuesday but even if I make a 'magic' recovery, you probably have plans and packing to do?
Did you go to The 30th show at Tamper, two years ago??.. We were there and met a lot of lovely people, next question. Are you planning to go to Atlanta in 2018? , it's very much on the drawing board at the moment, depending on Cancer results.
So sorry to have missed you, but if you come back, hopefully , I will be fitter and very much look forward to meeting up
Safe journey home
Best regards
Dave
 
Dave, sorry that I just now read your post. Working the internet via cell phone was a challenge, for me, plus WIFI was spotty on the farm, in the Cotswolds. I do hope you are feeling better by now.

Atlanta is probably not going to happen for us. But one never knows what's in the future that far down the track.

We arrived home yesterday. As I mentioned in another thread, we had a wonderful stay in the UK. We had a cottage on a farm near Witney. The weather could not have been more perfect the entire two weeks we were in country. We had some great food and visited some beautiful villages. Got to Stonehenge and Bath also. Everyone we met was friendly and helpful. We had a great time with Ian Thompson and family the first weekend. They took us to all of the historic sites in the area. Ian knows his history well.

So now we are back to reality. But with great memories. We hope to return at some point.
 
Dan

Sorry to have missed you. For most of your visit, my wife and I were out of the country, having a holiday in Mallorca. Glad Ian made you welcome.

David
 
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Couldn't get text in on that last post. Some photos from Swindon and Didcot and one last photo of Ian and SWMBO at Coggs Farm, (Downton Abby fame).
 
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