On Sunday 2^nd June 2013, Sir William McAlpine opened his private Fawley Hill Railway and Museum to a select number of guests. In attendance were 25 CIHT members and their guests, who were invited to attend on the Thames & Chilterns Branch’s 4^th visit to the exclusive estate.

 

Fawley Hill is home to a completely rebuilt country station, signal box, footbridge and many other railway architectural features recovered from McAlpine contracts. Over a mile of standard gauge single track railway is present, boasting one of the steepest gradients, 1 in 13, of any passenger railway in Britain. Rides were offered to visitors throughout the day in an open wagon and a brake van, pulled by a 0-6-0 tank engine. On each ride one lucky visitor was also invited to travel as a footplate passenger, assisting the Fawley Museum Society volunteers who keep the station, museum complex and of course the trains running. An extensive museum of railway artefacts, a collection of Rolls Royce cars, and two model railways at 0 gauge were also on display for visitors to view and enjoy.

 

The museum is not open to the general public, so the visit was an opportunity not to be missed. A fantastic day was had by all, enhanced by the glorious weather and beautiful surroundings. The Branch would like to extend its thanks to Sir William and the Fawley Hill Society for a wonderful day and making us all feel so welcome.