20/08/07 - Pete Waterman Is Back For Swindon's Biggest Railway Festival

PETE WATERMAN IS BACK FOR SWINDON'S BIGGEST RAILWAY FESTIVAL
Family Fun At STEAM!

POP phenomenon and railway enthuiast, Pete Waterman will be back in Swindon to take part in Swindon's biggest Railway Festival. Taking place on the weekend of 15 and 16 September, the Festival will be held at STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway.

Pete Waterman returns to the Festival for his sixth year, bringing his impressive Just Like The Real Thing models to be displayed - and also on sale at the event for the first time.

Pete is glad to be back in Swindon.

He said: "It's great to be invited back to STEAM to celebrate steam railways and the wonderful world of trains which are a lifelong passion of mine. The amazing skills and sheer hard work that went into building these magnificent machines is an important part of our industrial and social heritage. I feel privileged to be part of that community."

The Railway Festival has become well established among railway enthusiasts across the country and attracted over 3,000 visitors last year. The event at STEAM, in Kemble Drive, Swindon, is also very popular with families as there are so many things to see and do.

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Recreation said:

"All members of the family will enjoy this terrific day out. There are so many attractions - from all the fascinating model railway layouts, with their fantastic detail, and marvellous 5-inch gauge shunting demonstrations, to the great variety of trade stands, railway talks and the wonderful locomotives and displays at STEAM."

Hornby and Bachmann will be at the Festival with their massive roadshows, alongside the many exhibitors displaying some of the best Great Western railway layouts in the country.

There are special workshops on 'How to Build and Repair' models, as well as the chance to chat to modelling experts from the famous Pendon Museum and British Railway Modelling magazine.

Other festival highlights include a display of paintings by professional railway artist, Neil Podbery who will be painting during the Festival. 

A Railway Café will keep visitors refreshed in first class style and there are plenty of trade stands for some great bargains. The STEAM shop also has many new additions for sale, including a wide range of railway books, souvenirs and Thomas the Tank merchandise.

For more information about the Swindon Railway Festival, call STEAM on 01793 466646 or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/steam.