On fathers day 2025 my Dad said he would be interested in visiting the Stapleford Miniature Railway near Melton Mobray in Leicestershire.
The event was listed as a day of Models and Miniatures with Mini Traction Engines and Steam Rollers alongside the usual miniature railway running.
We begin the film as a green locomotive leaves the station taking various passengers on a near 2 mile trip around the site.
The one fifth scale SMR Railway runs special events throughout the year, back to the film now and we meet the mini traction engines and steam rollers as they travel through the event passing Glynns Supper Whippy ice cream van and various other local craft and food stalls.
Back to the miniature steam engines now and the small but mighty NYC Niagara is coaled up and made ready for another trip.
We then see Niagara and a green engine waiting in steam at the station.
Now it really gets exiting as we board a diesel locomotive for an onboard trip taking in tunnels, lakes and beautiful scenery, we pick up speed as we go along a cutting and into an ornate tunnel entrance we emerge by the lake, pass a signal box and cross a bridge.
Later as we find ourselves running along the lakeside once again we pass the same signal box completing the loop.
As we return to the station NYC Niagara is waiting to great us will a full train of passengers onboard, once we have stepped off the train there is a brief moment to catch the steam and diesel engines side by side.
Soon Woodlander is manoeuvred back into position to lead another journey but not before an unexpected cameo appearance from a spitfire aircraft nicely linking my two films from this weekend together !.
Engine number 35004 is seen passing by as the credits roll and the day draws to a close, Happy Fathers day dad hope you enjoyed it.
