Anything open 9/10 or 16/17 March?

[Jan Mayen]

Looks like I've booked a week off work a bit early!
I'm not finding many railways open for either of the above weekends (and none for the week in-between). Ideally, I'd like one which is easily accessible via the National Rail network as I shall have an All Line Rail Rover.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[LowLevel]

Great Central is open both weekends and has a special anniversary event on the 16th/17th March.

 

[JonathanH]

East Somerset Railway have a 50th anniversary gala on 16/17 March but not somewhere that is easy to get to from the railway network

https://eastsomersetrailway.com/events/view/steam-gala-2023/757

2999 is set to be the first of its class to ever traverse the ESR and will appear alongside home-fleet locos GWR Large Prairie 4110, LMS Ivatt 2MT 46447 and Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST 1719 ‘Lady Nan’.

2999’s visit is courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre.

Steam Gala 2024 Tickets will allow unlimited travel on any of the above trains throughout the day.

1719 'Lady Nan' operating Driver For a Tenner (pre-booking recomended)

All subject to availability and late changes

 

[12C]

The Keighley and Worth Valley is running both weekends, with very easy rail access. Also the East Lancs is running with the ‘Legends of Steam’ event from 15-17th March, which is easy to get to via Metrolink to Bury from Manchester.

 

[thejuggler]

By then the KWVR should be back to full trip runs as the repairs at Keighley station are due to complete this week.

 

[Jan Mayen]

Great Central is open both weekends and has a special anniversary event on the 16th/17th March.

Many thanks. Do you know when the timetable will be available?

 

[LowLevel]

Many thanks. Do you know when the timetable will be available?

Shortly I would hope - there are various passenger workings, Mountsorrel branch DMUs, the NER railcar and a freight set I believe.

 

[renegademaster]

There's a blockade at Luton on the the Midland Main Line during 16/17 so getting too great central from London will be a bit of a pain for the Anniversary event

 

[Bletchleyite]

Seaton Tramway is a nice quirk, though you'll need to connect to it by bus from Axminster or Exeter. Finally got round to doing it this weekend just gone. Would do it again, it's quite a pleasant and unusual little attraction, and the cafe at Colyton is great (and unusually for preserved lines with a 3 trams per hour service you're not as bound to the timetable if you do stop off).

 

[X-City-WM]

The Severn Valley Railway is open every weekend from 2/3 March. Easily accessible from Kidderminster mainline station.

 

[50002Superb]

Looks like I've booked a week off work a bit early!
I'm not finding many railways open for either of the above weekends (and none for the week in-between). Ideally, I'd like one which is easily accessible via the National Rail network as I shall have an All Line Rail Rover.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Spa Valley is open the 10th as I’m thinking of doing it myself

 

[43096]

Great Central is open both weekends and has a special anniversary event on the 16th/17th March.

Great Central anniversary event on - the north end at Ruddington is also doing something with various exhibits open for visits.

 

[Flying Phil]

Great Central anniversary event on - the north end at Ruddington is also doing something with various exhibits open for visits.

The GCR Loughborough loco shed is also open for guided Boscastle Shed Tours on both days. (March 16/17th)

 

[david l]

The Keighley and Worth Valley is running both weekends, with very easy rail access. Also the East Lancs is running with the ‘Legends of Steam’ event from 15-17th March, which is easy to get to via Metrolink to Bury from Manchester.

East Lancs open 9/10 March as well as above,

 

[jrail1992]

Ravenglass & Eskdale is operating daily from 16th March. Easy interchange from the mainline.

 

[LittleRedTrain]

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway is open on Sundays 10th/17th March, running from Platform 4 of Princes Risborough national rail station.

Day Rover tickets Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

Selected dates until November 2026

www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

It may not be the longest or flashiest of lines, but I've always had a very warm welcome from the volunteers.

 

[50002Superb]

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway is open on Sundays 10th/17th March, running from Platform 4 of Princes Risborough national rail station.

Day Rover tickets Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

Selected dates until November 2026

www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

It may not be the longest or flashiest of lines, but I've always had a very warm welcome from the volunteers.

Any idea what working on these dates?

 

[LittleRedTrain]

GWR small prairie 4555, on hire for the season from Paignton & Dartmouth

 

[50002Superb]

GWR small prairie 4555, on hire for the season from Paignton & Dartmouth

Ok, thanks.

 

[Joe Paxton]

Seaton Tramway is a nice quirk, though you'll need to connect to it by bus from Axminster or Exeter. Finally got round to doing it this weekend just gone. Would do it again, it's quite a pleasant and unusual little attraction, and the cafe at Colyton is great (and unusually for preserved lines with a 3 trams per hour service you're not as bound to the timetable if you do stop off).

I think the Seaton Tramway is great, the whole story behind it is kind of bonkers!

I think this website is quite good in outlining the genesis of the whole unusual enterprise:
www.tram23.co.uk


Also some 50 miles east of Seaton, the Swanage Railway will be running on the 10th, 16th and 17th or March (calendar and timetable).

Bus (number 40) from Wareham NR station to Norden or Corfe Castle stations on the Swanage Railway, or otherwise bus (number 50) from Bournemouth station to Swanage, which goes on the Sandbanks chain ferry and is often a partial open-topper (in the spring/summer there are full open top buses).

 

[Parham Wood]

East Somerset Railway have a 50th anniversary gala on 16/17 March but not somewhere that is easy to get to from the railway network

https://eastsomersetrailway.com/events/view/steam-gala-2023/757

There is now a limited bus service from Frome to the ESR. Their FB has details of the planned trains and haulage.

 

[74A]

Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway is open from this Saturday 2nd March.

 

[Meole]

Statfold Barn have an event on 16/17 March, there is a free vintage bus service from Tamworth rail station. Largest collection of old steam locos in UK.

Spectacle Of Steam

Visit Statfold Country Park and enjoy the unique 2 foot railway, our Mease Valley Light Railway, the world-renowned locomotive museum, the Hunslet Archive, Statfold Engineering and more.

www.statfold.com

 

[MrFerrari9431]

Looks like I've booked a week off work a bit early!
I'm not finding many railways open for either of the above weekends (and none for the week in-between). Ideally, I'd like one which is easily accessible via the National Rail network as I shall have an All Line Rail Rover.

Any suggestions appreciated.

There is a 125 anniversary gala on 16-17 March at the Great Central railway

 

[Jan Mayen]

Many thanks for all suggestions.
I went to the Keighley and Worth Valley in the end, and enjoyed the Bar Car.

Possibly a bit too much