The Fawley Hill Railway - turns 100! - 18/05/13

A suggestion from my dad saw us heading towards Henley-on-Thames to the Fawley Hill Railway, a private railway owned by Sir William McAlpine and part of the McAlpine family estate. Usually entrance is by invitation only, but we were visiting on a public open day. More specifically this was their first Steam & Vintage weekend and was held in celebration of the 100th birthday of Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST ’Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons’, who has been with the McAlpine family for over 48 years. The event featured a variety of attractions across the site such as steam traction engines, vintage cars & buses and fairground rides. Although our main reason for visiting was for the railway, which boasts the steepest standard gauge gradient in Britain at 1 in 13! We didn’t manage to get a ride on the railway as tickets had sold out by mid day. So for now I shall let you enjoy the site and sound of 31 celebrating her birthday in style, barking up the line sounding glorious! A few of other attractions featured are: -