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Electric Railway Museum Open Weekend

part of Heritage Open Days

at Electric Railway Museum, Baginton (near Coventry)

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September

11 am – 5 pm (both days)

FREE

Get ready for another train-tastic weekend in Coventry, as Electric Railway Museum prepares to throw its doors open for visitors of all ages to explore its rich collection and learn about work going on behind-the-scenes.

Electric Railway Museum’s Open Weekend will be open Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September from 11am – 5 pm both days. Admission is FREE!

On display will be an extensive array of electric locomotives and multiple units, including the Clacton Class 309s, the Wirral Class 503 and the ever-popular 2-EPB unit complete with street art livery by Warwickshire-based artist Rumah, which depicts the history of electric railways.

Visitors will get the chance to see trains in action too, as both their Spondon No. 1 and MAZDA locomotives will be performing shunting duties across the site. During the weekend, members of the public will be able to climb aboard the Class 503 and one of the Class 309s, complete with the museum display (Museum 309) and café, serving hot and cold beverages, snacks and light bites.

In addition, Coventry City Council and Coventry Transport Museum have arranged a FREE bus service to bring visitors from the city centre to Electric Railway Museum. On both days, you’ll be able to board the bus from Coventry Transport Museum at 10.30am, 11.50am, 2.00pm and 3.20pm and head to the Baginton site. For more details of the Open Weekend bus route and times, visit www.coventry.gov.uk/hod. If you are arriving by car, free on-site car parking will be available during the Open Weekend.

The event at Electric Railway Museum follows from a successful Open Weekend in May 2011, but September offers visitors more to see than ever. New acquisitions will be proudly displayed during the weekend, including British Railways Classes 307 and 308, as well as the power car for the record-breaking Advanced Passenger Train Prototype (APT-P), on loan from the National Railway Museum.

Also, volunteers at the site have been painstakingly landscaping and painting their LNWR station building. Originally part of Welford & Kilworth station in Leicestershire, it now survives as one of the most complete examples of a LNWR waiting shelter in existence.

Electric Railway Museum aims to promote the heritage of all electric trains in the UK through traction and rolling stock restoration, display and operation along with work in gathering historically relevant technical and photographic archives. Electric railways have a long history that is rich in both technical innovation and socio-economic impact. Many aspects of our everyday life would not have been possible without the creation of the electric railway, from high-speed rail travel (such as the Channel Tunnel) to underground railways and commuter travel. The work of Electric Railway Museum is entirely run by volunteers and funded by donations from the public. The Open Weekend will provide an opportunity also for you to meet the team behind the museum and learn more about future plans.

The Open Weekend comes as part of Heritage Open Days (8 – 11 September). This yearly event organised by English Heritage celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to cultural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture. Electric Railway Museum takes part in Heritage Open Days for the first time in 2011. For more information on Heritage Open Days visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.

For a full list of planned events and activities during the Open Weekend, click here.