Author Topic: Planning a visit to the U.K. (Read 10929 times)

modeldozer · « **on:** June 08, 2011, 05:23:15 PM »

Hi all,

This is mainly a call for guidance from fellow modders in the U.K. One of my brothers is visiting us from South Africa during November and December and we are planning 5+ days "tour" of the U.K. He is even a bigger modder than me and currently building a 5" gauge model loco, we both also like live real steam locos, engines ect. Any sugestions for places to visit and model engeneering events during the first two weeks of November will be greatly appriciated. We will be visiting some of the suppiers while over there.

Abraham

John Stevenson · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2011, 05:55:36 PM »

Not November but the Sandown Model Engineering show is held around the end of the first week in December.
Sandown is about 20 miles south of Heathrow Airport in London.

John S.

andyf · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2011, 06:54:57 PM »

If you could fit the National Railway Museum in York into your itinerary, you wouldn't be disappointed either by what is on show there, or by the city itself.

It's a long way to travel from SA for just five days. Can't you wangle a bit longer?

Andy

PS In November/December, bring warm clothing and an umbrella.

modeldozer · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2011, 09:28:00 PM »

John S and Andy,

Thanks for the replies.

He will be visiting me in Spain for 2 months so we have some flexebility. Main limitation is cedit card balance.

Abraham

andyf · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2011, 02:49:13 AM »

Consider youth hostels for economy. You don't have to be young, and some of them even have bars

. If you can stand one another's snoring, "family rooms" are available. For example, York towards the end of November would be about £40 for the room.

http://www.yha.org.uk/

Andy

sbwhart · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2011, 02:59:02 AM »

If you're near to Oxford a visit to Didcot power station is well worth it, the Great North Western society is based their and have a fine exhibition of Locos and rolling stock (some running).

Stew

raynerd · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2011, 04:22:59 AM »

If you come "ooop (up) North" then you have a variety of places to visit:

My local village has a few nice coffee shops and then you can jump on the East Lancs Steam Railway:
http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/

You could then catch the steam train to Bury (from Ramsbottom or Rawtenstall) and take visit to Manchester Steam Museum:
I can`t find a good link to the "Power Hall" at the museum but hopefully some people on here will chime in with their experience-
http://www.mosi.org.uk/explore-mosi/explore-mosi-themes/energy/steam-engines.aspx

If you timed it right, you could visit one of the largest running mill engines in Europe. Bearing in mind they only run it on the first Sunday of each month. Well well well worth a visit, it blew my mind!
http://www.ellenroad.org.uk/

Along with a visit to Bolton Steam Museum
http://www.nmes.org/

Queen Street Mill is also worth a look as the last surviving, operational steam powered weaving mill in the world:
http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/acs/sites/museums/venues/qsm/?siteid=3771&pageid=12932&e=e

Leyland Model Engineering Society also run on their track most weekends:
http://www.leylandsme.co.uk/

As do Rochdale Model engineers in Springwood Park:
http://www.rsmee.com/

I`m sure there is much more but all of this is within 45-60 minute drive from Manchester City Centre !!

All the best
Chris

DaveH · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2011, 07:25:57 AM »

Quote from: andyf on June 08, 2011, 06:54:57 PM

PS In November/December, bring warm clothing and an umbrella.

He's from South Africa he wont have any!

DaveH

andyf · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2011, 08:00:48 AM »

Quote from: DaveH on June 09, 2011, 07:25:57 AM

Quote from: andyf on June 08, 2011, 06:54:57 PM
PS In November/December, bring warm clothing and an umbrella.

He's from South Africa he wont have any!

DaveH

Like Chris, I live near Manchester, so between us we should be able to kit him out with a raincoat, sou-wester and Long Johns

Andy

modeldozer · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2011, 08:13:10 AM »

Andy,

Thanks for the tip, will defenitly give them a try.

Chris,

Many thanks for all the info and links, just spent some time looking them over and all seem very interesting. Now need to get the atlas out and start plotting a root.

Anybody know of any working foundries that one can visit? My brother is quit into casting all sort of things and most of his setup is self built.

I´m sure we would be able to kit him out with the apropriate clothing.

Abraham

modeldozer · « **Reply #10 on:** June 09, 2011, 08:33:47 AM »

A few pic´s of his work.

raynerd · « **Reply #11 on:** June 09, 2011, 09:01:23 AM »

Abraham, we seem overly keen on health and safety over here so I doubt you would be allowed any sort of access into a foundary... I certainly don`t know of any but I`m sure I`ll be proven wrong.

Chris

pete3000 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2011, 08:34:37 AM »

Dont forget The Midlands or Wales.

Severn Valley Railway http://www.svr.co.uk/

Black Country Museum http://www.bclm.co.uk/ has a foundry

IronBridge Gorge and Blists Hill Museum http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/our_attractions/blists_hill_victorian_town/visiting_information/ also has a blacksmith

And Wales......

Big Pit mining museum http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/

Dinorwig powerstation http://www.fhc.co.uk/electric_mountain.htm and slate museum just round the corner http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate/

All worth a visit

Bluechip · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2011, 08:39:48 AM »

And things that go 'bang'

http://www.enginemuseum.org/

Dave BC

John Stevenson · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2011, 09:07:56 AM »

I may be able to get him into a small foundry in the East Midlands, around Nottingham, depends on your itinery.

John S.

modeldozer · « **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2011, 09:20:00 AM »

Hi to all,

A big thank you to all for the info. I have to go through it all and start planning the itinery.

John,

Soon as i have a plan I might take you up on the offer, many thanks.

Abraham

modeldozer · « **Reply #16 on:** September 15, 2011, 11:50:17 AM »

Hi all, our trip is finaly planed, booked and payd for.

We will arrive in the UK on the 14th of October, and start the "tour" with a whole day at the Midlands moddel enigneering exhibition and then travel throuhg part of Wales and the Midlands returning on the 22nd.

Any madmodders planing to be at the exhibition on Sat the 15th, will be nice to meet and have a chat.

Will share pic's and videos once home.

Abraham

John Stevenson · « **Reply #17 on:** September 15, 2011, 04:36:13 PM »

I'm at The Midlands exhibition all show.
I'll be on the CNC demo part of the ARC Eurotrade stand, all show. Pop in and say hello.

John S.

modeldozer · « **Reply #18 on:** September 15, 2011, 05:55:02 PM »

Hi John,

We will defenatly pop around.

We both are quite tall and will be wearing destingtive shirts, so should be easely recognized.

Now to pack as little as posible to have room to bring back some goodies.

Abraham

John Stevenson · « **Reply #19 on:** September 15, 2011, 06:10:56 PM »

Look for a tall good looking guy with a full head of hair, if you see him, walk past him, it's not me.

John S.

modeldozer · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2011, 03:45:47 AM »

Had to turn around at the airport yesterday. Turns out, allthou I have visited the UK in the past, I now need a visa.

...don't have any words left at the moment....

Abraham

andyf · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2011, 03:58:52 AM »

That's really tough, Abraham! What nationality are you? I had assumed from the fact that your messages are sent from Spain but were asking about a trip to the UK that you were a Spaniard with a fluent command of English, but obviously you don't hold an EU passport or you would have had no problem.

Once again, my sympathies!

Andy.

modeldozer · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2011, 06:13:48 AM »

Hi Andy.

Thanks for the kind words. I am actually from South Africa but has been living and working in Spain for the past 12 years with permanant Spanish residence.

What can I say? Rules and regs. seem to change dayly, complicating the lives of Jo average.
Abraham

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Author Topic: Planning a visit to the U.K. (Read 10929 times)