Day Out

Yesterday we went to the Railway Museum. It’s a very “boy” sort of place to go – lots of BIG things – trains, machines… you can even “drive” a train or two (simulations). We haven’t been in ages, but I had a voucher that was due to expire at the end of this month, so – off we went!

At the moment, there’s the “Big Build” going on. We were too late to see the special events (The “build a train” thing, and some tours – you have to be there in the morning or just after lunch for those) , but there were lots of other things to do. Outside the main buildings there are a variety of booths, where you can try out some of the skills that were required of railway workers in the past. You can get a “certificate” (self stamped) to say you’ve completed each skill. The only thing we didn’t do was the painting (there wasn’t any paint), but because I mixed up the stamps, that box was filled in as well…

To start with –

Nuts and bolts and bits of wood – they built a wagon, then raced it round an area set aside for testing…

Tying knots – all different types.

Tinsmithing – there were blocks and hammers, to shape a pie plate into a box shape. It was difficult to get the required shape without tearing the metal.

Biggest boy’s offering.

Littlest boy’s……

Welding class – this was another simulation, using LED lights – no heat involved.

Are you my Mummy?

Here’s one of the big trains…..

Cool dude with his plumbing creation.

Hot and cold taps?

There are science stations set up all over the building. This one helped biggest boy understand ratios a bit better..

Wonderland for the boys – big boxes of lego and other building sets – all there to build whatever you fancy.

A replica of a navvy hut, complete with meat safe and carbide lamp. Apparently this was one of the more luxurious accommodations – a really good team could get one of these up in an hour.