Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Very disappointing for the same reasons pointed out by Bombardier. My husband took my two kids on 18^th December. It was mainly a treat for my son who is a Thomas fan and whose birthday it was. We paid £54 for 1^st class tickets for 2 adults and 2 children. We thought it very poor value for money. The train ride was not what we had expected. I think my kids would have preferred a trip round Ruislip Lido instead. To go back and forwards several times is not most peoples’ idea of a train ‘ride’. They had cited poor weather as the reason for not taking any other route apparently. The toys my kids got were cheap and naff –think pound shop quality. The train itself was blue but there was no sign of Thomas’ face on the front, not to mention the Fat Controller. As the weather started to turn and the snow was coming down heavy, my husband decided to head for home, missing the magic show. Glad he did now as according to Bombardier it wasn’t great, plus it took my family 6 hours to get back to Harrow. I feel cheated really. The company can’t be held responsible for the weather but when I rang in the morning to confirm times, they didn’t say it was cancelled, yet I see on its website that they added the message ’18 & 19 December cancelled due to poor weather’ or something along those lines. This was obviously posted after the event as I had checked the site that morning too when there was nothing mentioned of a cancellation. As said already, only go if you live nearby and don’t have too high expectations.

Use your Tesco clubcards here!
Well worth a visit even on those rainy days when the kids are moaning. There is lots of indoor exhibitions which make this a good all year round venue.
The Thomas days are good fun, although a bit busy.
Plenty of parking

Santa’s Magical Steaming
Every year, at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre they do a magical train journey on Thomas The Tank Engine, where Father Christmas rides along with you and gives a present to the kids. From the website it looks like a great day out, unfortunately in reality it’s not quite so. Don’t get me wrong, the kids (mostly) enjoyed the experience but the weather and the route that the train takes means if you’ve travelled a long way to get there you may feel a little cheated.
On arrival, I’ll give the centre it’s due credit, Thomas is sitting on the platform (and he really is a great Thomas steam train), steaming away, with Christmas lights strung along above him. When the kids see him they do go nuts which is lovely to see. You have allocated seating on the train, and as we went with another couple and their kids we had a compartment all to ourself. The weather was cold, raining and windy. This meant the windows were not only all steamed up but rain covered too. You might not think this is a big deal but the route the train takes is forwards and backwards. Several times. No corners, no inclines, no speed. Outside there are opportunities to see other carriages and engines, and James also puffs along pulling a sleigh full of presents. The kids seemed to enjoy it all though, and when Father Christmas arrives to give them their presents they light up!
When you get off you are treated to a complimentary mince pie and mulled wine, and after being outside in that kind of weather they are most welcome! There is also hot food like Chips available, plus tea, coffee and juice etc., all relatively cheap.
Inside the ‘station’ there is a set of carriages made up to look just as they would have been in the 20’s which does at least hold some interest for the adults. There are also shows to attend; the day we went there was a magic show by a man who looked and sounded exactly like Rod Hull. I say magic, but use it loosely. I say show, I use that loosely too. Even the kids were completely bored so we walked out halfway through.
There is a miniature railway too although with the weather being what it was, and the fact that there seemed to be no other way to reach it than over a stepped bridge across the tracks (not easy with two pushchairs) we decided against it.
Then we began the long trip home, and almost wished we hadn’t bothered. I’d only recommend this if you are completely selfless or live nearby. It may be more enjoyable with nicer weather but as you’re going to be there in November or December anyway I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.

The old Oxford Railway Station was taken down from its original site and rebuilt at Quainton and used as part of the museum buildings. This means you have have tea in the old station café and see Churchill’s train standing at the platform under the graceful Victorian metal and glass building.
There are plenty of trains to see and lots of restoration work being done. They also have steam days. Check the website for details.
Quainton is a very cute oldie English village. It even has a windmill. So it is worth having a wander round while you are in the neighbourhood.