STEAM & SPEED
Note = Williams F1 Experience has Closed
What?
Ride on a steam train that goes 200 miles an hour? No, that’s
not quite right. Its ride on a heritage steam train and sit in a Formula
1 race car. The Didcot Railway Centre is offering special days to combine
grown-up little boys most favorite and exciting fantasy toys, steam trains
and race cars in one outting. The Didcot Railway Centre in Oxford is a short
distance from the headquarters of the Willams Formula
One Grand Prix racing team. The museum at the Williams F1 Conference
Centre is the largest privately owned collection of F1 race cars, all those
of
the Williams
team over years of racing
under a series of engine partners, and the Didcot Raliway Centre houses
one of the largest
collection of operating heritage steam engines in England. The Speed & Steam
days are a way to indulge both fantasies.
The
Speed & Steam
events will be held on three Saturdays in 2011, and hopefully in years
to come. The dates are June 25, July 30 and August 20
and the cost is £145 for the full day of activities. The day starts
at 9am in front of the Didcot Parkway Rail Station between with a trip aboard
a vintage motor coach to the to visit the RBS Williams F1 Conference Centre
at Grove, Wantage for a guided tour through the race car collection of 40
Williams Formula 1 cars, presented chronologically over the history of the
team, with extensive video presentations, a visit to the technology room
and trophy room, as well as a chance to sit in in the seat of a Williams
F1 car (see Williams
F1 Collection ).
Then, a return to the Didcot Railway Centre (see Didcot
Heritage Steam Rail)
for a sumptuous lunch on board a Super Saloon carriage. Following the
meal is a guided tour of the heritage railway center. Catch a look at
the replica
Brunel broad gauge Firefly locomotive with appropriate carriage stock,
housed in the original 1850s Didcot transfer shed. And wander among the
20 Great Western steam locomotives, many in the correct surroundings
of the original 1932 built GWR listed four road shed. Watch the progress
on
the new "Saint" and "County" build projects in the
workshops, recreating locomotives of classes long lost. Check out newly
relaunched King Edward II locomotive, recently returned to working order
for the first time in 49 years, since being withdrawn from British Railways
in 1962. The day ends with a footplate ride on one of the steam locomotives
in operation and tea in the Super Saloons at 4:30. Places for the day
excursion experiences will be limited so reservations in advance is a
must. © Bargain
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See Also:
HENLEY FESTIVAL - SUMMER MUSIC & GLAMOR
DONINGTON PARK RACING CAR MUSEUM
BRUNEL'S SS GREAT BRITAIN SHIP - BRISTOL
