Standard Gauge Weekend at the Echills Wood Railway June 16th & 17th 2012

The event in question is our popular Standard Gauge Weekend Gala that is taking place from Friday 15th- Sunday 16th June 2012.
The address for the event is:
Echills Wood Railway
Kingsbury Water Park
Bodymoor Heath Road
Sutton Coldfield
B76 0DY
We have three unloading facilities at the railway, including a hydraulic lifting ramp which comes in very useful. We already accommodate the EAR Class 59 Garratt so unloading engines and negotiating curves should not present too much of an obstacle for any visiting locomotive. The Echills Wood Railway can boast 2km of running line, two goods yards, four stations and a junction; the rail we use is 6lb/yard steel but 12lb/yard in some places. We are fully signalled - however, the signalling system is being overhauled currently and so line of sight driving may be enforced in some sections. It is not an overly complicated run like some places but the length of the track can catch some lesser prepared drivers out.

Last year’s event saw 40 engines in steam and 70 goods wagons, with several sets of scale rolling stock. It was a charity event, raising money for the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway’s Landslip appeal and the event raised £3000 – matching funds raised by both the Severn Valley Railway and the Talyllyn Railway. Not bad for a group of model engineers!

This year’s event will be for our own benefits as we require more funds after recently fixing our own major, albeit miniature, landslip. The work on that is being completed as this is written. On Saturday evening we all dine in the yard (or indoors if it is poor weather) for BBQ style hot, roast meat sandwiches with trimmings and dessert. This price for this is £6.50 per head (payment on the day please).

Any visitors requiring food must contact Tom Hubble or Jeff Stevens before Monday 11th June as we have too book ahead.
There is also Real ale on tap at £1.50 per pint. Local accommodation includes several pubs/inns, the Lea Marston Hotel and two local caravan and camping sites – let me know if you need details for anywhere.

It really is a jolly event and we are a friendly club, let’s hope the recent good weather holds out until then. We have other events later on in the year; if you cannot attend our Standard Gauge Weekend then you may contact us regarding events later on in the year.