12/08/2011

The National Railway Museum in York is inviting its October half term visitors to have some BIG fun with little trains.

From 22 to 30 October 2011, the National Railway Museum is hosting a free 9 day celebration of toys and model trains. Visitors of all ages will be enthralled by the range of little locos from children's pedal trains, to rides on indoor and outdoor miniature railways* that the whole family can enjoy.
The event will bring together the biggest names in toy and model trains with hands-on workshops and play sessions hosted by Chuggington, Meccano, Big Jigs and Tomica and dynamic displays from Bachmann, the Gauge 1 society and event sponsor, Hornby.

To add to the list of famous names at the event, the author of Peter's Railway Books, Chris Vine, will be making a special appearance at the Museum. Chris has a great interest in model engineering and will be bringing in his 5 inch gauge train and talking to Museum visitors about modelling and his famous children's books.

After experiencing the vast array of model and toy locomotives around the museum, children can get hands on and make a model of their own to take home. Craft sessions* will allow children to make their own seasonal diorama depicting a locomotive making its way through a spooky landscape - perfect for getting in the Halloween spirit over October Half Term.

Hannah Collingridge, from the National Railway Museum's Learning and Public Programmes team, said:
"You don't have to be a model railway fan to have some big fun with our little trains this October Half Term. There's such a variety of activities going on that we're certain the whole family will have a day out to remember."

As well as taking part in the wide range of activities on offer across the Museum's enormous site, visitors can also explore the Warehouse to discover an intriguing array of model railway objects including a model railway that is so small it fits into a banjo case, and a collection of model railway vehicles which boasts a Guinness World Record for being the largest collection made by one person.

After experiencing all that the little trains has to offer, visitors may want to experience the thrill of a larger locomotive by stepping on board the carriage of a real working steam locomotive and taking a trip in the Museum's South Yard*.

*A small charge applies.
ENDS