• 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 18^th 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.

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.

18th April	Sunday	Check
2nd May	Sunday	2nd public running day
3rd May	Monday	3rd Public running day	Bank Hoiday
16th May	Sunday	4th Public running day
30th May	Sunday	5th Public running day
31st May	Monday	6th public running day	Bank Hoiday
13th June	Sunday	7th public running day
27th June	Sunday	8th public running day
11th July	Sunday	9th public running day
25th July	Sunday	10th public running day
8th August	Sunday	11th public running day
15th August	Sunday	12th public running
29th August	Sunday	13th public running day
30th August	Monday	14th public running day	Bank Holiday
12th September	Sunday	15th public running day
26th September	Sunday	16th public running day
10th October	Sunday	17th public running day
24th October	Sunday	18th public running day
31st October	Sunday	19th public running day	Halloween

* What’s different this year?

No Santa Special this year due to social distancing requirements.

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]