Calling Young Engineers
The 2874 Trust
supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
and The GWSR offer
Junior Engineering Experiences with Chris Vine
Saturday and Sunday 9th and 10th May 2026 at Toddington
The experience included a full steam-hauled trip along the line between Broadway and Cheltenham Racecourse. The events started at Toddington and concluded around 4.30
Designed to be suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years who were accompanied by an adult assistant .It was a fun-filled experience, sure and enthraled all the young enthusiasts were keen to learn more about the workings of railways. Chris Vine, author of the Peters Railway books, lead the sessions, sharing his passion for all things engineering!
The day included :=
Journey along the line behind a steam locomotive! We start by joining the 10.00 train from Toddington for a return trip to Cheltenham – then came the other highlights!
Climb onto a footplate and see all the controls in the cab
With the help of a full-size locomotive, Chris will explain how it works
Enjoy a 'behind the scenes' tour of our locomotive workshop at Toddington, where our engines are restored and maintained – including a close look at No 2874 being restored from scrapyard condition.
Get close to a steam locomotive boiler and see how it’s built.
See the machine shop where our volunteers make the parts to keep our locomotives working.
Take a tour of a signal box and learn how it works.
Rejoin the steam train for a return trip to Broadway and see what our volunteers are building there
Back at Toddington – any last questions for Chris and collect a souvenir “goody bag” including a free copy of a Peter's Railway book personally signed by the Author! One for every budding young engineer.
As one young engineer was reportedto have said, on his way home,
‘That was the best day I have ever had "
The range of books are available from The GWSR shop at Toddington.
You can also buy them and find out more about Peter’s railway at