NRM Railfest 2012

From todays York Press 28 Oct 2011.

Full steam ahead for Railfest 2012
8:21am Friday 28th October 2011

YORK is to host a huge railway celebration featuring some of Britain’s most famous train locomotives next summer.

Railfest 2012 will be run by the National Railway Museum from June 2 to 10 and will cover a space the size of 11 football pitches. Museum staff say there will be an “awe-inspiring line-up” of locomotives from the museum’s own collection and from elsewhere in the UK. There will also be a range of railway-related activities.

The festival will bring together more than 30 record-breaking locomotives including Mallard, which holds the record for the fastest steam locomotive, at 126mph; the recently built Tornado, and the most powerful industrial steam locomotive built for use in the UK, Mardy Monster. Flying Scotsman, the first locomotive to reach 100mph, is also set to attend the event following the completion of its restoration.

Steve Davies, museum director, said: “Our previous Railfest in 2004 celebrated the bicentenary of Britain’s railways and proved to be a huge success by attracting over 60,000 visitors. Next year we hope to top this by providing an even bigger and better event. We’re certain that rail fans young and old will be well catered for and we look forward to making 2012 a year to remember.”

The locomotives will be joined by a selection of railway vehicles including a sailing train and demonstrations from unusual railway equipment including snow ploughs and leaf blowers, which passengers rarely see.

Railfest will be a paid admission event and tickets are expected to go on sale in the New Year with a discount for advance bookings.

Confirmed locomotives include Mallard, Flying Scotsman, No.790 Hardwicke, City of Truro, Duchess of Hamilton with matching coach, Castle Donnington, Sir Nigel Gresley, Black Prince and Mardy Monster.

 

It reads rather better in the official release:
[h=2]What’s on at NRM York[/h][h=1]Railfest 2012[/h]
We're planning Britain’s biggest ever railway festival for June 2012.

[HR][/HR]Date:02 Jun 2012 - 10 Jun 2012Audience:Suitable for all agesType:Events
Feel the energy at Railfest 2012, 2-10 June – a huge celebration of Britain’s railways.
Get up close to an awe-inspiring collection of locomotive legends and record-breaking trains, over nine exhilarating days. Climb in the drivers' cabs, stand on the footplates, and ride with locos big and small. Plus trade stalls, hands-on family activities and much more.
Railfest 2012 will be a paid admission event (charges tbc), although we'll continue to offer free admission to the rest of the Museum throughout the nine-day event.
Locomotive list
The following locomotives have been confirmed. Many more will be added to this list in the months leading up to the event.

• A4 No.4468 Mallard
• A3 No.4472 Flying Scotsman
• LNWR Webb No.790 Hardwicke
• GWR No.3717 City of Truro
• No.6229 Duchess of Hamilton with matching coach
• Shropshire & Montgomeryshire 0-4-2WT Gazelle
• Schools No.925 Cheltenham
• RSH No.1 Castle Donington
• A4 No.60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
• 9F No.92203 Black Prince
• Peckett No.2150 Mardy Monster
• Peckett No.2012 Teddy
• Tysley 0-6-0PT No.L94
• Webb No.1054 Coal Tank

Tickets
Tickets will be on sale in the new year. To keep up-to-date on all the latest Railfest news, sign up for our email newsletter.
Group rates will be available: see our Group Bookings page for contact details.
Take part
Planning for Railfest 2012 is in still in the very early stages, but if you're looking to offer potential exhibits or get involved in the event in any way, please email:
Bob Gwynne, vehicles coordinator
vehicles.railfest@nrm.org.uk
Rose Lindsay-Smith, trade & event coordinator
tradeevent.railfest@nrm.org.uk
Charlotte Hughes, corporate sponsorship coordinator
corporatesponsorship.railfest@nrm.org.uk


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