On the rails in Colorado

A symbol of a bygone era, Colorado’s historic railroads have been lovingly restored and expertly maintained so riders can relish access to jaw-dropping landscapes and a steady supply of family-friendly fun. As if spectacular views of the Royal Gorge weren’t enough, Cañon City’s Royal Gorge Route Railroad invites you to soak up the splendor of spring while sipping craft brews paired with chef-created appetizers during Ales on the Rails, from mid-March to late May. 

In springtime, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad sets a course for Cascade Canyon, a 26-mile journey through the San Juan National Forest along the Animas River. Opt for a Historic Narration Coach to hear tales of what it took to build the rails, or combine the trip with a Snowmobile Adventure Package for two hours of thrills around Molas Pass. 

Scenic wonders are revealed around every curve as the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad’s century-old steam engine takes you on a relaxing, four-mile round trip past the old Midland Terminal Wye, historic mines and Echo Valley, all set to an educational narration. 

Departing from Alamosa with a stop in Fort Garland, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad chugs toward Fir Summit on weekends June through September, where an outdoor amphitheater awaits at the top of La Veta Pass. This one-of-a-kind concert venue is home to the Mountain Rails Live concert series, an occasion to see how the West was sung. 

Another way to connect with Colorado’s railroad culture is through a visit to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum which hosts themed events throughout the summer season, starting with Dinosaur Days (June 8-9) bringing dinosaur-related activities into the railroad space.


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Get steamed up in Dorset

NOW in its 47th year, the 2015 #GreatDorsetSteamFair starts on September 2 at Tarrant Hinton, Blandford Forum, where some 200,000 people from Britain and overseas gather (although not all at the same time) on the show’s 600-acre site for the five-day event.

On show will be range of steam-powered kit including heavy haulage road locomotives, tractors, showman’s engines, trucks, road rollers, and ploughing and threshing engines, plus classic cars, military vehicles, and motorcycles. 

There will also be working heavy horses, country crafts displays, and more than 500 trade stands. 

www.gdsf.co.uk

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Steaming along somewhere near you...

Steam Events happening in various parts of the country this Easter Break, even those visiting London can find somewhere to visit!

18^th-21^st April Grand Easter Steam up at the London Museum of Water and Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex. TW8 0EN Phone 02085684757    www.kbsm.org  On show one of the engines used to pump water through London to models, this is a regular and well appointed event in West London.

18-21^st  Easter Vintage Festival Grand Central Railway, Grand Central Road,

Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 1RW  01509 632315  www.gcrailway.co.uk

A great event with a range of Steam powered rides, some Traction engines alongside the various locomotives in steam, including 70013 Oliver Cromwell.

18-21^st Delivering the Goods, South Devon Railway, The Station, Dart Bridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ  0845 345 1420 

www.southdevonrailway.org  A weekend of mixed steam and diesel headed trains which celebrate the railways moving goods around the country.

19-21^st Easter Steam Gala Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Ludborough Station, Station Road, Ludborough,Lincs, DN36 5SQ. 01507 363 881

www.linconshirewoldsrailway.co.uk  This years gala includes the famous 140 year old Beattie Well Tank 2-4-0 which spent much of its life hauling clay trains in Cornwall.

19-20^th Kent and East Sussex Railway has a range of events over the weekend, but also leads to the Traction Engine Rally at Bodiam Castle. 

Tenterden Town Station, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE   01580 765155 www.kesr.org.uk  Combining a number of attractions in a family friendly weekend, not too far from London.

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It's a steam thing!.....summer is coming

Steam Events happening in various parts of the country this first weekend of April.  Starting off the season amongst the Preserved Railways are;

Llangollen Railway holds its Spring Steam Gala at The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8SN.  Check at 01978 860 979 or

www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Swanage Railway, Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB.  01929 425 800  www.swanagerailway.co.uk

Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin General Station, Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL13 1AQ  0120873555  www.bodminrailway.co.uk

Vintage Train Steaming Day, Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, Nr Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 4BY. 01296 655 450

www.bucksrailcentre.org

In addition, many of the industrial Museums have also chosen this weekend to bring some of their steam engines back to life for the season;

Spring at Etruria & Mill in Steam, Etruria Industrial Museum, Lower Bedford Street, Etruria, Stoke on Trent, Staffs ST4 7AF. Contact 01782 233 144

www.etruriamuseum.or.uk

In Steam, Westonzoyland Pumping Station, Hoopers Lane, Westonzoyland,

Nr Bridgewater, Somerset, TA7 0LS  01823 282  760 www.wzlet.org

Next weekend, April 10^th -13^th ...............

sees one of the first Steam Fairs at Beamish Musuem, Beamish, Nr Stanley, Durham, DH9 0RG  0191 370 4000 www.beamish.org.uk  This museum is worth a visit at any time and particularly shows off  its vintage streets and Victorian Industrial Living environment setting well.

On the same weekend a Bus and Coach Gathering at the Brooklands Museum just south west of London. London Bus Museum, Cobham Hall, Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0QN, (visitors should use KT13 0SL) 01932 837 994  www.londonbusmuseum.com

If buses are not your thing, then there are many other transport events run at Brooklands, the famous race track which closed as a track in 1939, including the transport museum which includes the only preserved Concorde which has public access. 

There are also Vickers Aviation planes on display, plus a vast collection of vintage and racing cars and motorbikes. This is also the site of Mercedes World, which offers many events for a fun family day out

www.brooklands.museum.com

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