We Are Open Again!
With Covid-19 Secure Running
Bedford Model Engineering Society is once again opening its railway to the public - but for the time being we have had to change the way that we operate.
There is a lot to tell you here, but please read through to the end.
Unfortunately, we are not going to be able to operate all of our railways with the Covid regulations as they currently are. So, we have created a new ride combining the Summerfields Line (the 'main line') from Haynes End with the Springfield Line at Hammer Hill. This gives a journey time nearly twice that of the old main line run. The trains will not be stopping at Hammer Hill.
Trains will now have only one carriage and the passengers on each train must all be from the same household or "Bubble". To compensate for this reduction in train capacity, we have increased the number of days that we are open and increased the frequency of departures.
Our Buffet will open as a take-away service with tea, coffee, soft drinks and packaged snack items. Our picnic tables will be available outside - suitably distanced!
Toilets - as you may know the toilets do not belong to Bedford MES but are provided as a communal facility by our landlord for those on the Summerfields Barns site. Although they are not our responsibility, we will endeavour to check them on a regular basis. We will be providing hand sanitiser in a dispenser just outside the toilet block.
In common with other visitor attractions we have had to move to booking in advance in order to better manage passenger numbers on our site, and all payments will now have to be made using contactless card.
We use your details to process your booking but we are also required to take contact details of visitors for Track and Trace purposes. No data will be retained beyond one month after your visit and will not be used for purposes other than those stated.
Therefore, we are asking that everybody who wants to ride our trains, first makes a booking online. Payment will still be taken at our Ticket Office but, again as other venues, only by contactless card. Booking will close at 18:00hrs on the day before travel date.
Our trains will carry a maximum of six passengers with a maximum of four adults. Please do not attempt to book more than this on one train.
A round trip ticket will cost £3 per person (50p less than the combined price of the old rides). Children under the age of two still travel free.
So, please pick a time and date on the booking form at the bottom of this page, complete with your details and submit. You will receive a confirmation email by return.
Please ensure that you bring this confirmation email with you on the day as you will need it to enter our site.
In the event that you have to cancel we would really like you to let us know (before your day of travel if at all possible, please), by clicking the REPLY button to the confirmation email and dropping us a one-liner.
UPDATE: Since we started this new way of working we have always been fully booked. However we have then found that between 15% and 20% of the folk who have booked simply do not show up, thus denying others the chance for a ride (and us some much needed funds).
We would rather not take payment at the time of booking but what we will now do is reserve the right to offer the slot to anyone wanting another ride if you are not checked in a minimum of five minutes before your train departure time. Please, please make sure that you are checked into our car park at least ten minutes before your train is due to depart – if you are later than the five minute check-in deadline, we will not be able to guarantee your ride.
And lastly, this is all new to us as well so departure times may slip a bit from your booked time. We will do our very best to be on schedule, but please be patient with us if we should be running late!
Thank You for your understanding and for supporting our railway - as always, we are looking forward to seeing you.
Keep scrolling down - the booking form is coming - honestly!!
Note: We are not open every day, so only the highlighted dates on the calendar can be selected. Our system only allows you to select one time-slot per booking. Booking will close 18:00hrs on the day before travel - booking on the day of travel will not be possible.
If you should wish to book more than one ride, please leave at least 24 minutes between departures.
By making a booking you are confirming that all persons in your group riding the train are from the same household or "support bubble".
Further dates will be released for booking on a rolling weekly basis.