- PROGRAMME FOR 2021
After missing most of 2020 due to the pandemic, the Bristol Model Engineers are pleased to announce that the Ashton Court Railway will reopen 18th April 2021.
The engines and carriages have had a lonely time stuck in their sheds and therefore can’t wait to see their old friends, as well as making new ones, in 2021. Come along and make their day as they steam around the track.
Please follow our Facebook page for further updates, and read all of the below information before your visit, as things will necessarily look a bit different this year.
* When will trains be running?
Trains will be running and giving rides from 12.00hrs until 16.00hrs this Sunday 18th April and we also plan to be open on the following dates.
Sunday 18th April
Sunday 2nd May & Monday 3rd May,
Sunday 16th May,
Sunday 30th May & Monday 31st May,
Further dates for 2021 will be announced shortly; this is just to whet your appetite!
These dates are however subject to the weather (as always), the availability of volunteers and we also reserve the right to suspend operations if the government changes the Covid-19 regulations or advice.
The railway will be open from 12.00hrs until 16.00hrs. We may have to close the queue a little earlier to avoid any disappointments if many people are waiting.
* What’s different this year?
We will be operating under strict procedures for health and safety, and we ask all friends and visitors to adhere to them so that we can all have a happy and safe afternoon.
Anyone showing or experiencing any of the symptoms of Covid-19 MUST NOT come to the site or ride the railway.
Social distancing rules must be observed at all times, mask wearing is encouraged (but not legally required) and hands must be sanitized on entry and exit. A one-way route into and out of the site, and to and from the trains, will be in operation.
We will be collecting contact details for NHS Test and Trace from one adult per group, please consider installing the NHS contract tracing app so that you can scan in using the QR code instead of giving your name and phone number.
Tickets may only be bought for one ride at a time. Should you wish to take a second ride then you will need to re-join the ticket queue. We will only be accepting card payments for tickets. All tickets will cost £1.30 each.
Tickets will only be sold as trains become available, as there is limited space available for passengers to wait while maintaining social distancing. Please queue outside the ticket office, and along the boundary fence of the railway enclosure.
We hope to run trains on both our railways: On the raised track railway only one household (or support bubble) will be permitted to ride per train and on the ground level households/support bubbles will be separated by an empty carriage. Railway volunteers will give guidance on which carriages can be used so that social distancing is maintained.
Railway volunteers will wipe down the carriages after every trip. As you can imagine, loading and unloading will be slower than usual to allow for this, and we thank you in advance for your patience.
* What about parking?
Please remember that parking arrangements at the railway have changed. Parking at Ashton Court is controlled by Bristol City Council, and visitors will need to pay and display. Only members of the Bristol Society of Model & Experimental Engineers are permitted to park their vehicles in the area adjacent to the railway.
We look forward to seeing you. Toot Toot!
[If in doubt phone 0117 946 7110 on the day]