Visit to the Midland Railway

[harry42]

Picture numbers should match up! AND...some volunteers and workers were very friendly (just in case someone here happens to work there!)

We went to Midland Railway, Butterley:

To be honest, we we're extremely disappointed. Nothing was open, the volunteers/staff were ignorant and the whole place was a building site. There was also only 2 stations and 1 train, but I have attached some pictures:

We drove up, attempting to find the forgotten brown signs, and parked in the free car park. We say 2 families on the platform and us. DSCN0373: M51625 DMU was there meeting is with the old 3+2 seating. DSCN3075: This shows the old Butterley Station building of which consisted of a booking office with the most ignorant booking clerk, (who was blatantly paid,) and a shop which is only opened by request from the booking clerk. (best of luck.)

On board the train we sat at the front so we could see through the cab into the driver and 4 minutes later, OT, we trundled into Swanwick Junction, the main complex but only stopped to change crew. 6 minutes later we reached a dead end, the driver turned around and we went back to Swanwick Junciton. Here, everybody alighted.

On the way, we saw a signal box, of which I couldn't photograph which used to be the highest signal box in the UK.

At Swanwick Junction, a good start: The old station building from Sileby from the Ivanhoe Line. Picture = DSCN0378. Now...things went down-hill.

Road transport museum-closed. Transport museum-closed. Signal box-open Picture = DSCN0377. Church-not bothered, closed anyway. Red shed-closed. Ride-on miniature railway-closed. narrow gauge railway-closed. Model railway-closed. Toilets-closed! shop-closed! Sand pit-open!!!

Everywhere had scrap metal trains and rubbish lying around. NO signs or clear paths and all railway workers stood there chatting saying 'no entry-construction site.' The 2 families we saw at the start complained and we had a little chat. So, the whole attraction emptied in 3 hours!

So...nice to see a revamped DMU but not a nice place at all. Not recommended!

 

[harry42]

one of . my first ever trip reports, what do you think?

 

[RichmondCommu]

one of . my first ever trip reports, what do you think?

I think the signal box you referred to came from Aisgill on the S & C. That’s what I think.

 

[harry42]

I think the signal box you referred to came from Aisgill on the S & C. That’s what I think.

You would think right then...just checked on the leaflet thingy

 

[Welshman]

one of . my first ever trip reports, what do you think?

In all honesty, I think you're being very harsh on the Midland Railway at Butterley.

Let me say from the outset, that I have no interest in/connection with that heritage railway, but I have had 40 years of working with volunteers, and realise that the service provided may not be the best that is desired.

Likewise with the church you state was closed. Perhaps they'd suffered a series of burglaries/vandalism in the past and had been compelled to keep the building locked by their insurance company. In an ideal world, no-one wishes to deny access to a church, and in an ideal world, they could be left open 24-hours.

 

[harry42]

In all honesty, I think you're being very harsh on the Midland Railway at Butterley.

Let me say from the outset, that I have no interest in/connection with that heritage railway, but I have had 40 years of working with volunteers, and realise that the service provided may not be the best that is desired.

Likewise with the church you state was closed. Perhaps they'd suffered a series of burglaries/vandalism in the past and had been compelled to keep the building locked by their insurance company. In an ideal world, no-one wishes to deny access to a church, and in an ideal world, they could be left open 24-hours.

Alright, I understand that but the fact that we paid £20+ to get in and all that was open was a sandpit and a museum?

 

[Welshman]

Alright, I understand that but the fact that we paid £20+ to get in and all that was open was a sandpit and a museum?

Ah - I see your point.
The last time I went, admittedly a few years ago, I was not charged an admission fee.

P.S. - although, having just checked their website, I see that access to the site is still free. The charge is for the train ride.

 

[harry42]

Ah - I see your point.
The last time I went, admittedly a few years ago, I was not charged an admission fee.

P.S. - although, having just checked their website, I see that access to the site is still free. The charge is for the train ride.

OK, didn't realise that. But, there was only 2 stations and a round trip was 40 minutes. But then again, I suppose it was worth it to see the DMU

 

[IanD]

P.S. - although, having just checked their website, I see that access to the site is still free. The charge is for the train ride.

Sounds like they've improved their website a bit, as last year I couldn't find any price info at all.

However, I want to know how much something will cost before I go so their "it might be £9.50 or it might be £15.00" is still pretty useless.