Last Sunday was one of only a handful of days the model railway at Methven, near Perth is open. We had never been before, but had heard of it’s delights from a friend who had been to the Easter open day.
The grounds and railway are owned by the Scottish Model Engineering Trust who have built various gauges of miniature railway around the grounds.
The biggest railway tracks are 7 1/4″ gauge and can take larger trains with passengers on the coaches behind. These are of course the main attraction and at only £1.50 each for a trip (or 4 for £5) we could afford several goes on the passenger trains. There were several different trains running on the day, both steam and diesel, and they would follow the tracks along through the woods, over a pond and then a loop through another area of the woodland. It was only a few minutes, but good fun for the kids and adults alike.
Behind the ticket office is a small garden railway track where the boys watched a couple of little model trains pushing and pulling coaches. These trains weren’t out for long as it started to rain later and they were packed safely away.
Another big attraction are the steam lorry and traction engine. They drive through a path through the woodland area and give children rides in a trailer or on the seats. I was all ready for a ride in one of them, but neither of our boys wanted to go in!
Inside are several moving models of engines from over the years. They were very interesting to look at, although O was more interested in pressing the buttons to make them work himself.
The little tea room had some snack food and hot drinks. but fortunately we had remembered a picnic and ate it outside before the rain started.
Before we left we stopped to buy some lovely children’s books from a series called ‘Peter’s Railway‘ based on the model passenger train railway. The author was lovely and pointed out which books were best for our boys age group and gave us bookmarks, leaflets and posters for each of the boys along with the books, which he signed to them personally. A lovely touch! I will definitely be writing another post about the books later. Have a look at the website here.
All in all a wonderful day out with our little ones.
Do your children like trains?
J x
Claire says
So so sweet, there is one of these near us and the children have been on it in the past… they loved it! Such a gentle little ride! #whatevertheweather
Becky (@educatingr) says
Aw this is lovely. We have a mini train in our local park and I can’t wait to take my son on it. Thanks for linking to #whatevertheweatherwednesday
Emma Chanagasubbay says
This looks like such a lovely day out. I know my lot would love the train ride #whatevertheweather
Cathy Glynn says
This looks a lovely day out, my dad took me around so many model railways when I was little and they hold so many memories x
Emma's Mamma says
That looks like so much fun! Sounds like a great day out! x #Whatevertheweather
Becky Willoughby (@LakesSingleMum) says
don’t we all love steam trains! Peter’s railway books are fab
International Elf Service says
This looks like so much fun! What a great day out and a picnic is always a must ;). This reminds me of the model village near Maidenhead (aagh name suddenly flown out of my head) – they have model trains that weave their way around the village and under bridges – the kids (and adults) are mesmerised by them!
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) says
My daughter is a huge fan of trains and would love this day out. I shall have to find something similar down my way. I can’t believe your boys didn’t want to go in the steam train! I would be really up for it too! Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather
A Moment with Franca says
That sounds very fun! We went a couple of weeks to Beaconskot Model Village & Railway and was very fun too. Kids love train so it is always a win win going to this places! Thanks for hosting, xx
#whatevertheweather
Lauren says
Finn (7 months) went on his first train ride while we were on holiday a couple of weeks ago, he loved it-but then he is very nosey! He’d love your day out *goes off to google mini railways*
Morna piper says
I love your blog! It gives me so many ideas for trips out! We will definitely try to visit- although finding a non-rainy day will be tricky!
Babyfoote says
James loves trains, or any transport actually, and this sounds like the kind of place he’d adore. He’d especially like the button pressing, I think!
Jemma Chambers says
I love these miniature steam trains (reminds me of Grandpa Pig – its a mini-a-ture locomotive!); isn’t it funny how, when you have children they’re suddely everywhere where they never existed before…. #whatevertheweather
Nortonmum says
I love miniature stuff, trains, villages, anything, they always seem magical. We have a miniature train that runs throughout summer in the park at the bottom of our road.
Karen (@karenjwhitlock) says
This looks so lovely. Never mind my kids loving this – I could happily spend ages watching those trains go round!
Thanks for hosting #WhateverTheWeather
Cathy (MummyTravels) says
How fun – there’s just something about a mini train, isn’t there. #whatevertheweather
lizzie (firstooth) says
What a great day out, sounds like so much fun. Our toddler would be uh-bsessed! Yes, he’s a train and choo choo maniac so this would be a perfect adventureland for him. I’m glad you all enjoyed it 🙂 #whatevertheweather
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! O has always been train mad ever since he could say Tooos (Thomas!), train days are fantastic aren’t they! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Oh yes, I had so much fun too! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! Me too, I loved having rides on the trains too, kids are a great excuse to get excited about things! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Oh, that’s so cool! My O would be jealous, he’d want on it every single day! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha, yes, it is a bit like his! Yes, you suddenly spot these things when you have kids! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Oh yes, button pressing is fun. I’m sure he would love something like this, you’ll have to google miniature railways near you! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you Morna! The girls would love it there! Next open on the 13th September, you should definitely check it out. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Aww, they are so much fun for kids and a great experience for even the youngest child! Hope you find some close by. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
I’d love to visit a model village, it sounds so much fun! And a train ride to top it off is great! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
There must be something nearby with miniature railways, I’m sure you’ll find something! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That sounds fantastic! O would love it! Whenever we go holiday somewhere we have to keep an eye out for train rides and similar, O is obsessed by trains! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
They are, I love how well written they are! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
It was, thank you! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Aww, that’s lovely you have so many model railway memories with your dad. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
It was great fun! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
That’s so cool to have a mini train at the park! My boys would love it! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
It’s lots of fun! We love train rides! 🙂 x
Nia says
this looks awesome! I’m sure my girls would love this though I’m not sure I’d be able to hold them back from jumping over the low railings! Not sure we have one of these near us but the girls do like trains so I must look into it! #whatevertheweather
Sara | mumturnedmom says
This looks like such a lot of fun! A great way to spend the day 🙂 My lot would all love it x
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha, I’m sure they would love it, you’ll have to google miniature railways to find one near you. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Thanks Sara, it was great fun! 🙂 x
Beth says
Aww this looks like such a lovely day out. I think this will be a perfect day out for Heath once he is older as Annabelle is obsessed with all things pink and doll-like at the moment (It’s bizarre as we have never encouraged this!). Bx
Jenny Eaves says
It’s weird isn’t it? O was the same, never encouraged ‘boyish’ things and avoided too much blue, but he loves trains and his fave colour is blue! 🙂 x
Su says
Awww… look at that smile. Miniature railways is just one of my childhood best memories. I think all children should experience this. I took my boy to Audley End Miniature Railway last Christmas period. It was freezing but he loved it! #Whatevertheweather
Jenny Eaves says
Railways are great at Christmas too, as long as you wrap up warm, they’re lots of fun! 🙂 x
Sabrina (The Mummy Stylist) says
Tyler would have loved this! He is the ultimate train enthusiast haha! We’re regulars at Bekonscot Model Village, he loves those little trains! #whatevertheweather Sabrina xx
Jenny Eaves says
Aww that’s so cute! The model village looks brilliant, I would love one near us! 🙂 x
Mudpie Fridays says
My monkey loves a train – they are great fun aren’t they 🙂 and its really nice they gave you bookmarks etc Thank you for hosting this great linky #Whatevertheweather xx
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you! 🙂 x
Sherry says
I have to admit, ours has never been on a train of any sort, including a mini one. Looking at this i think it’s something we will have to do! thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather
Jenny Eaves says
We have no choice, our eldest is obsessed with trains and now we actively seek out trains to go on! Hope you have fun when you get on a train! 🙂 x
Coombe Mill says
What a lovely place to go and visit, it’s great that this isn’t too far from you. It’s a shame that they’re closed a lot of the time so you can’t just pop in for a visit but I’m sure you’ll be going to more of the open days in time. Your boys look so happy in the pictures being so up close and personal with all the different trains is a little boys dream come true isn’t it? Thanks for linking up with me on Country Kids.
Jenny Eaves says
Yes, we’ll definitely be going along to more open days, it’s great fun for the kids and us alike! Thanks for hosting! 🙂 x
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) says
What a cute train and what a cute place to visit! #countrykids
Chloe says
This looks so great! 😀 We’re going to a mini train place in the next few weeks. Evie is suddenly obsessed with trains. We have one that goes past one of the places we go to play a lot and she gets so excited. We took her on a big train the other day as well and she was just saying ‘wow’ ‘wow’ the whole time.
I love that they have little mini trains here as well as the bigger ones to ride! It looks like such a fun day out. It’s so lucky you managed to eat your picnic just in time too! I am so happy with our linkers this week! 😀 x
Crysta says
My daughter LOVES trains. We make stops whenever we can to see trains, or explore trains, or learn about them.
Packing my Suitcase says
These mini trains are sooo cute!!! I think every kid would love this place 😀
Thank you joining #MondayEscapes
Jenny Eaves says
Thank you! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
We’re the same, went away for the weekend just to visit trains for O! Got to encourage their interests! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Oh, wow, she’ll love it! Trains have some sort of magical quality really, kids (of all ages) love them!
Loving our little linky and how well it’s doing! 🙂 x