Steam rail day out ideas?

[The Clamp]

My 7 year old nephew, who is mad keen on steam trains is visiting me in Sussex next week and wants to ride on a steam train.From the places I've looked at they mainly cater for older people wanting lunch and a drink on board the train for an hour or so ride. Is there anywhere that provides an experience suitable for a kid of my nephews age? I'm thinking, watching the drivers stoke up, maybe even having a ride up front?

Any help appreciated, he's steam train bonkers!

 

[Brighthelmstone]

You'd have to check but last time we used the Bluebell railway we could watch them stoking, walk round the train yard/museum and i recall a field and playground at the end of the route. was a few years ago though so double check.

 

[Barry Izbak]

At last a railway thread I can be enthusiastic about

We are very lucky to have one of the very best heritage lines in Sussex
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/

Also in Sussex, but much smaller is the Lavender Line
http://www.lavender-line.co.uk/

Then there's the Spa Valley at Tunbridge Wells
http://www.heritage-railways.com/spa.php

Or Tenterden to Bodiam, where your nephew gets to see a real castle too
http://www.heritage-railways.com/kesr.php

Slightly further, in Hampshire the very impressive Watercress
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/

And how about this site for finding a heritage line near where he lives
http://www.heritage-railways.com/map.php

 

[The Clamp]

You'd have to check but last time we used the Bluebell railway we could watch them stoking, walk round the train yard/museum and i recall a field and playground at the end of the route. was a few years ago though so double check.

Thanks, I checked their site and seemed to just be pushing the adults days but I'll maybe call them and see what they do. I imagine there must be some kids stuff given the time of year etc. Thanks again.

 

[The Clamp]

At last a railway thread I can be enthusiastic about

We are very lucky to have one of the very best heritage lines in Sussex
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/

Also in Sussex, but much smaller is the Lavender Line
http://www.lavender-line.co.uk/

Then there's the Spa Valley at Tunbridge Wells
http://www.heritage-railways.com/spa.php

Or Tenterden to Bodiam, where your nephew gets to see a real castle too
http://www.heritage-railways.com/kesr.php

Slightly further, in Hampshire the very impressive Watercress
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/

And how about this site for finding a heritage line near where he lives
http://www.heritage-railways.com/map.php

Wow, thank you, plenty to go on there! There must be one for him in that lot!
Have you done some of these too?

 

[Barry Izbak]

errr, yes all of them, and around the country. (anorak alert)

 

[The Clamp]

errr, yes all of them, and around the country. (anorak alert)

Ha! Best to get the info from an enthusiast. Thank you , you may just have made his day!

When I heard he was coming down I braced myself for Legoland or McDonalds requests, was relieved to hear he is into steam trains and countryside!

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Sussex & East Kent railway managed by an Albion fan, [MENTION=29]Kent Seagull[/MENTION]. It runs between Tenterden and Bodiam.

 

[GT49er]

For seven year old, the following might also be of interest:

http://www.steamtrain.co.uk/

http://www.emsr.co.uk/

 

[The Clamp]

For seven year old, the following might also be of interest:

http://www.steamtrain.co.uk/

http://www.emsr.co.uk/

I'll dig out my old teddy, thanks. Looks quite good, seems popular too. Eastbourne one looks good, he's here for four days so could do that too.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It's worth checking out where Thomas the Tank Engine days are being held. I went to one with my granddaughter on the Bluelbell Line. There were several of the named engines, the carriages and the Fat Controller in place.

 

[Yoda]

A little further out you also have the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch light railway
http://www.rhdr.org.uk/index.html

 

[Seagullible]

A little further out you also have the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch light railway
http://www.rhdr.org.uk/index.html

Stop off at Dymchurch and take him to the funfair & beach too. Take my daughter for day trips and she loves it

 

[BN9 BHA]

Sussex & East Kent railway managed by an Albion fan, [MENTION=29]Kent Seagull[/MENTION]. It runs between Tenterden and Bodiam.

I can recommend this railway as I went yesterday, also had a look around Bodiam Castle.

 

[Theatre of Trees]

There's the miniature railway at Beech Hurst, Haywards Heath, open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday over the holidays. Costs a £1 per ride.

 

[Paskman]

My 7 year old nephew, who is mad keen on steam trains is visiting me in Sussex next week and wants to ride on a steam train.From the places I've looked at they mainly cater for older people wanting lunch and a drink on board the train for an hour or so ride. Is there anywhere that provides an experience suitable for a kid of my nephews age? I'm thinking, watching the drivers stoke up, maybe even having a ride up front?

Any help appreciated, he's steam train bonkers!

The Bluebell is your best bet. You can usually get on the footplate at one of the stations, if you ask. But no chance of a footplate ride - health and safety, you would also end up with more people on the footplate than in the carriages if you offered it!

 

[kevo]

The Bluebell is your best bet. You can usually get on the footplate at one of the stations, if you ask. But no chance of a footplate ride - health and safety, you would also end up with more people on the footplate than in the carriages if you offered it!

And it's one of the longest heritage railways in the country. Definitely should be your first choice.

 

[Kent Seagull]

At the Kent & East Sussex, August is very child friendly with a children's entertainer on Mon, Weds and Fri doing Punch and Judy shows. Kids are welcome to have a look on the footplate and the crews are friendly. Oh, and I work there and might even be your driver!

 

[BN9 BHA]

At the Kent & East Sussex, August is very child friendly with a children's entertainer on Mon, Weds and Fri doing Punch and Judy shows. Kids are welcome to have a look on the footplate and the crews are friendly. Oh, and I work there and might even be your driver!

We enjoyed the sausage rolls at Tenterden Station.
Train crews all very helpful and friendly, we all had a good day out on Thursday.

 

[The Clamp]

Thanks for a your advice. Gonna head to Bluebell and then onto Kent the next day. Your suggestions will make his summer holiday, so thank you!