BWLR Invicta Model Railway Show

 

On Sunday the 4th of August, we travelled to Sittingbourne to the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway.

This was an event we came across back in June when we attended the Steam Gala at Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Snagging random leaflets as I like to do, this one caught my eye as it wasn't exclusively model trains. It also included train and tractor rides, events, and promised a grand day out. We booked this prior to the addition of Yogi, but was pleased to find out that this was dog friendly too!

We were somewhat apprehensive to how Yogi would take different modes of transport. Obviously we are steam train enthusiasts and a lot of our adventures focus on these heritage adventures, we'd be gutted to leave young Yogi Bear at home and so this acted as our trial run to see how he would get on with the locomotives, especially as the silly pupper hasn't even mastered stairs yet...

Turns out Yogi does not like trains. He was alright on the train itself, he enjoyed watching the world go by on Jamie's lap while getting cuddled, but he didn't like standing near the engine. He was frightened of the whistle (I always am too) and did not like the chuffing sound as the medium sized loco went by. However, he was still extremely brave and such a good boy considering this was his first time ever seeing such a thing, and he got of the carriage all by himself and when we made to leave and the train went by he sat to watch it. Based on this, we will continue to ease him into these types of adventures, his steam train journey is not over yet!

This little railway is one that has never before popped up on my radar, and considering I am the main train enthusiast in this relationship, that is saying something. Jamie was not interested in trains before he met me and yet now he is as obsessed as I am! 

Seeing these medium sized locos was a treat, they are completely different from any I have seen (aside from those in Disneyland Paris) and actually steam using wood instead of coal. Their track is 0.5 miles and only has 3 little stations. One of these is located in the field, one in the main courtyard behind the cafe, and the other in the woods. This is an adorable little train and while the journey isn't a long one, it is an enjoyable and calming one instead.

They had a little railway museum with steam engines and other bits and bobs, but Yogi wanted to be outside and not couped up in a little engine shed, also this was where the main model railway exhibition was being held, and as we were interested in the real life thing and not the models we gave this bit a miss.

While waiting to see if Yogi was brave enough to actually get on the train and walking him around to recover from the whistle that had scared the daylights of both me and him, we came across several different helpful engines. These ranged from traction engines to tractors and it was lovely seeing them all out in the open puffing steam.

This is a small business and as such is in the middle of nowhere and is a tiny little cosy attraction. It has its own museum, engines, cafe, and gift shop. Although I was disappointed with the shop as this sold the usual niknaks for kids to keep them quiet (think slime and bouncy balls) and Thomas the Tank Engine Models. You couldn't buy any souvenirs for the railway itself which was a little upsetting.

The day out was family friendly and fun and we would love to go back here perhaps when Yogi is more accustomed to trains. It would be a shame for this cosy attraction to disappear so we think more people should hear of it as to our knowledge it is certainly a hidden gem! Sadly we only got to spend 2 or so hours here as our puppy was overwhelmed and tired, but as he gets used to our adventures I'm sure there will be hours of fun ahead! He got a lovely bit of steak for his dinner for being such a good brave boy!

DISCLAIMER: Now for the official bit. This blog does not receive any paid promotions from the places mentioned above. We have not been approached to promote or act as spokespersons for any attraction mentioned within this post and this is simply a post intended to act as a day in the life of a couple on a cute date. All photos included are taken by ourselves and as such the rights for these images our ours, no links, brands, or companies mentioned otherwise belong or are associated with Phantom Adventures UK. We are responsible only for this blog. Opinions are our own and not influenced by any third party source.. 

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