If you ever dreamed of being a train driver when you were young, or you have kids who would love to do so, during the Easter holiday Ruddington Model Railway Club (RMRC) is giving you chance to ‘take control’ of some of Britain’s most famous childhood locomotives.
This Sunday and Monday (9th & 10th April 2023), as well as the club’s indoor layouts running at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre (NTHC) next to our Country Park, you can operate Thomas, James and Percy yourself on their outdoor ‘G Scale’ track.
Organiser Sam Moss says: “Pay just £2 for five minutes and help Percy and James deliver the coal on time. Meanwhile Thomas will be pulling Annie and Clarabel picking up passengers on his branch line. No tickets are required for this event, which is operated on a first come first served basis. We can take payment via cash or card.”
About charging visitors for this experience, Sam explains: “The increase in costs associated with running the model railway – electricity for heating in winter being a massive factor – we’ve had to look at different ways of raising money to make sure we still have the funds to maintain our layouts and building. We’ve been asked for ages about making the layouts more interactive so we’ve created a special controller that the public can use outside. We’ve deliberately made it simple to use so all ages and abilities can have a go.”
RMRC’s ‘Take Control!’ event runs from 10.30am until 4.00pm both Easter Day and Easter Monday at the NTHC on Mere Way. Visitors can use NG11 6JS for their SatNav to get there.
Sam adds: “The Heritage Cafe will also be open as usual – yummy food, really tasty cakes, wet drinks…….. that sort of thing!”
In the event of bad weather, RMRC says it will endeavour to offer a driving experience on its indoor Thomas layout instead.
{Photos courtesy of RMRC}
