We recently visited Ribble Steam Railway, based just by Preston docks. With two youngsters with an interest in all things steam, based on their upbringings on Thomas and Friends, we were all looking forward to our trip. There are well known steam heritage lines around the country and the nearest one I think to us is the East Lancashire Railway linking Rawtenstall and Heywood. This one however, is a little hidden gem. There’s a museum full of heritage engines with plenty of easy to follow information, a workshop where you can see what’s being currently done to restore some of the past, a shop, cafe, lots of hands on things for the youngsters and of course, a steam service that takes you about one and a half miles going behind Preston marina and alongside the River Ribble. Car parking is also free. The weekend we visited was their fifth birthday and even got some free cake too!
Having the opportunity to relive the past is something that we feel is important for our youngsters to experience and enjoying it with a hands on approach was great. Dressing up, flag waving, blowing the whistle of the steam train (in the museum), laying track and more is what its all about when you are young of years and full of energy.
The steam trip itself was a lesson in yesteryear. The smell of coal and steam from the 102 year old locomotive itself, “John Howe”, railway carriages with compartments and corridors and the nostalgic puffing of a steam engine certainly made our youngsters smile and we really, really enjoyed ourselves. There were glimpses of the River Ribble but most of the journey is through wooded areas which shield you from much of the nearby dock developments. There were many other youngsters (of all ages!) there too and one wheelchair visitor was well catered for with the provision of facilities. We would urge you to go and find this steam railway and are sure that you too will find it a real revelation.
Tim Dixon
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