Oxford Bus Museum Visit 2021

The Oxford and District Model Railway Club were once again invited to attend the Oxford Bus Museums Day with Santa events in December 2021. A team were assembled to take Oldstead Gate to exhibit at the museum and to give children the chance to drive a train after their visit to Father Christmas.

Oldstead Gate was chosen, as its design gives the opportunity for children to have a go at driving a model train. The team arrived and assembled the layout early in the morning before visitors arrived, and the track was given a good test. More details about Oldstead Gate can be found here.

It also gave the chance for members to run and show locomotives and rolling stock from their collection which otherwise wouldn’t get regularly used, as well as the opportunity to ride on a vintage bus!

A tombola and raffle were also held. Prizes such as a Hornby train set and a Honey Hamper from Rowse Honey were also on offer, as well as a mini raffle for the younger children, where a small locomotive could be won.

Locomotives included a yellow Network Rail HST, and a Blue Pullman were run. There was even a visit from a double tendered Bittern and Hogwarts Castle, which were popular with visitors.

This year the layout was set up on one of the garages, with the shutters open to provide an excellent, if chilly, flow of air to overcome COVID concerns. With face masks worn by the team, and a supply of hand sanitiser available, it was nothing that a warm coat and the occasional supply of tea couldn’t overcome!

The Bus Museum newsletter reported that the event was a success, even with the low visitor numbers due to COVID. Children were given the opportunity to visit Santa one at a time, with plenty of unhurried time to tell their wishes to the great man.

Certainly the team enjoyed attending the event, and look forward to supporting the Oxford Bus Museum in the near future.

More details about the Oxford Bus Museum can be found on their website at https://www.oxfordbusmuseum.org/