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Exbury Steam Train |
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Those who like it hot and steamy should head for Exbury Gardens in the New Forest in late March when three railway engines will be puffing away at the same time.
Enthusiasts and families alike have the chance to see Exbury’s own steam engines, Naomi and Rosemary, joined by visitor ‘Lorna Doone’ from the Exmoor Steam railway. All three engines will be taking trainloads of passengers on the beautiful ‘rhododendron line’ through the woodland gardens on the Early Season Steamer weekend.
Visitors will have the chance to ride on the footplate and discuss engines with Exbury’s rail team over a mug of tea.
The roomy engine shed, with atmospheric railway music, will be open to all over the weekend of March 24 and 25, when a film made by Leopold de Rothschild, the inspiration behind the Garden Railway, will play on a big screen.
The DVD ‘The Dream That Became Steam’ shows the story of the building and running of the railway, including a scene showing Her Majesty the Queen enjoying a trip on the hugely popular train.
The engine shed will also have a range of model and photographic displays and railway memorabilia on display.
The Exbury Rhododendron Line is unique in that a new garden was created especially for the railway line in 2001, when it was opened. Summer Lane Garden, seen only by passengers on the train, is a contrast to the long-established woodland garden for which Exbury is world famous.
Swathes of flowering grasses, colourful perennials, a pool and maturing trees, all planted in a naturalistic style, make the trip unforgettable. Children enjoy the woodland creatures – all constructed from moss – which they can spot from the train.
Season tickets giving unlimited entry to the Gardens for one year and unlimited rides on the train during the low season (plus one free ride between mid-March to early June) can be bought.
“The Garden Railway was opened in 2001 and has proved so popular that we are constantly updating and improving it, so that visitors can enjoy it to the full,” said Leopold de Rothschild, whose family owns the Gardens. Train passengers see some of the most exciting parts of the garden from a unique vantage point,” he said.
There is no extra charge for entry to the engine shed to see the film and the displays – all those paying for entry to the Gardens can enjoy it.
“We know that lots of railway enthusiasts will come to Exbury over this weekend,” said Events Manager Louise Martin. “But this is an event that families and other visitors will enjoy very much, with the rare sight of three engines steaming together at the same time and all the activity in the engine shed.”
Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway opens for the 2007 season on March 17. |
