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Childrens Railways

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by johnofwessex, Jul 27, 2016.

  1. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    There are - or were a number of 'Childrens Railways' in the former Eastern Bloc - I have travelled on the one in Budapest

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyermekvasút

    Now for various reasons I doubt that it would be possible to build one in the UK, but might it be possible to do something that might allow children & young people to get some experience of running a railway?

    My thought might be to hold an event at one of the smaller lines - East Somerset, or S&D at Midsomer Norton spring to mind where youth group(s) are able to operate it for a day? Obviously under supervision

    The SS Shieldhall offers courses for Schools/Scouts/whatever

    http://www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk/courses

    So presumably it can be done
     
    johnofwessex, Jul 27, 2016
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  2. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Some railways have done and occasionally still do hand over part of the operation to juniors. Remember reading about one railway doing it in one of the mags but cannot remember which one it was but all non operational or safety critical jobs were manned by junior volunteers and something is telling the loco crew were the youngest possible (but maybe mixing that up with something else)
     
    Pete Thornhill, Jul 27, 2016
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  3. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Some model engineering clubs have let kids operate trains at times.
     
    Martin Perry, Jul 27, 2016
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  4. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    GWSR did a youngest train crew event in October, with all folk properly qualified in their roles etc. Was reported in the echo if you google it.
     
    flying scotsman123, Jul 27, 2016
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  5. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    No need!!! Now you've said the crew was that. It was ironic that was the most accurate report in the Echo that day but then that is the Echo for you, whom recently got confused I seem to remember over what P&O actually was proving they know as much about railways as John Snow, the unfortunate case with the Echo being the same knowledge (or lack of), usually applies to everything that they print but now you mention it, this was it and the Echo got it right which was a highlight in itself and why it stuck in my mind ;):)
     
    Pete Thornhill, Jul 27, 2016
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  6. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Ah yes "Pete Waterman opens P&O" wasn't it? :)
     
    flying scotsman123, Jul 27, 2016
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