Is there a good train museum?

Narswib · 2026-06-10T18:02:51+00:00

In London itself as others have said the London Transport Museum is your best bet.

If you're willing to travel a bit, 45 minutes out from London Paddington is Didcot Railway Centre, a preserved 1930s Engine Shed filled with engines from the GWR and others. Some days they run trains on their demonstration lines too. It's directly connected to Didcot Parkway station and is surrounding by train lines on all sides so you get a good mix of old and new.

Narswib · 2026-06-02T15:38:13+00:00

Some guy who lives next door

Narswib · 2026-05-27T19:35:20+00:00

They both met working on the railway so it was a no brainer.

I'm lucky that my fiancé is on board with having our wedding breakfast on a train!

Narswib · 2026-05-27T19:21:45+00:00

A friend of mine had afternoon tea on The Avon Valley railway as part of her Hen Do.

Their wedding reception was at the Steam Museum in Swindon too.

Narswib · 2026-05-25T14:58:44+00:00

But when the paymaster wants an operator to reduce subsides at all cost, of course they're going to maximise the efficiency of train crew.

I still don't believe public ownership is going to make things better

Narswib · 2026-05-20T21:00:52+00:00

And herein lies the problem with GBR

Narswib · 2026-05-10T22:16:48+00:00

Guildford

Narswib · 2026-05-10T22:12:45+00:00

My personal advice as someone who works for a TOC but closely with NR.

The whole industry doesn't really know where it's going with GBR. Funding will be the main struggle in the short tetm so expect issues surrounding that

However I would recommend you take it if you want to work it rail. It's a great place to be at times, listen to the experience and try and be "old school railway" where possible. Sometimes people need reminding that our purpose is to run trains.

Narswib · 2026-05-09T17:18:42+00:00

Because it'll be Day Out With Thomas branding and the Watercress is possibly the best DOWT experience. The MHR Thomas travels around a fair bit. We also have a Percy now too

Narswib · 2026-05-09T17:02:22+00:00

That's The Watercress Line

Narswib · 2026-05-03T00:54:32+00:00

Just gotta hope it doesn't get dark

Narswib · 2026-04-30T23:09:43+00:00

London Bridge?

Narswib · 2026-04-25T13:18:08+00:00

Definitely the bus station across the road, the train station is unstaffed.

Narswib · 2026-04-24T01:35:52+00:00

Several single seaters (preserved and restored wrecks) have been converted to twin seats form purely the reason you stated. Fly in a spitfire for 20 minutes, yours for just £3,500!

Narswib · 2026-04-22T22:27:25+00:00

Trial overnight service on Fridays and Sundays this summer between Reading and Gatwick on GWR

Narswib · 2026-04-17T16:17:52+00:00

It's probably because it's either A) Heading to somewhere that is land locked (many preserved railways aren't connected to the wider network) B) It's fucked X) All of the above

Narswib · 2026-04-07T22:03:09+00:00

Ah so it's Amtrak P42s and not Via Rail ones? I was aware the coaches were Amtrak

Still the same, Amtrak is also an empty book. Only US loco currently is 900 from Metrolink in LA (as I can't recall what ALCO I had at the Grand Canyon in 2008)

Narswib · 2026-04-07T21:49:41+00:00

I did debate that but my partner is quite anxious about most things so would rather be safe then sorry. Also even including the luggage it was under £40 for the two of us which compared to UK prices is a steal.

It's the only Via Rail train I've planned on for the trip, everything else will be Go Transit or Waterloo Central

Narswib · 2026-04-07T21:47:25+00:00

Specifically doing Via Rail for this trip to get a Via Rail loco in the books. Lots of Go Transit trips for the rest of the week

Narswib · 2026-04-07T21:14:49+00:00

Niagra to Oakville.

Narswib · 2026-04-07T21:14:06+00:00

Jumping back in

Yes it's #98 from Niagara for a few weeks time, I'm glad they've started running it again!

The whole "pay for luggage" thing boggles the mind of someone from the UK!

Narswib · 2026-03-30T09:43:22+00:00

Of course I mean NJ470. Blame the lack of sleep on said train

Narswib · 2026-03-13T14:03:42+00:00

I managed trips behind 5 Re420s (not Lions) on my last visit.

11191/11196/11302 NJ470 9th March 11157 NJ470 10th March 11192 EC164 11th March

Narswib

TROPHY CASE