Thanks to our writer Jennifer for this guest post.....
Like a lot of little ones his age, my 3-year-old is completely obsessed with trains. Don’t get me wrong, as much as I ‘enjoy’ standing in the freezing cold watching the Metros with him, I have often wished his interest could be fulfilled in a somewhat warmer setting. So, when I stumbled across the Trainmaster events; local, indoor, with loads of trains, I knew I must be on the right ‘track’.
There are sessions are held on weekends across the North East, and current venues include:
- Newcastle: Great Park Community Centre, NE13 9BD
- Chester-Le-Street: Barley Mow Village Hall, DH3 2AJ
- Jarrow: Perth Green Community Association, NE32 4AQ
- Durham: St David’s Church Hall, DL16 6LL
- Sunderland: Fulwell Community Centre, SR6 8HS
Entry is £7 and includes 1 adult and 1 child (additional adults must be paid for), and there is a discount for siblings. Sessions last for 1 hour, and tickets must be pre booked via the website: www.trainmaster.co.uk. Please check with the organiser for up-to-date information prior to booking.
I personally would say the events were generally suitable for ages 1-7, with the average age of the children attending probably being around 3. That said, a lot of parents/carers also jumped at the chance to play trains, so it is one many adults can get involved in as well.
The main feature of the events is an impressive Tomy train track which spans the whole length and width of the room. You can choose from a vast selection of battery-operated Thomas trains and follow closely behind as they navigate a range of twists, turns, tunnels and bridges.
As well as the large track, there is also a smaller circular track on which little ones can ride on a large electric train which (very) slowly circles in either a forward or backwards motion. A high vis ‘Trainee Train Driver’ jacket can be put on before embarking, which is a cute touch, and perfect for the budding instagrammers amongst us #choochoo
In my experience, having a breakdown whilst building your child’s Thomas Trackmaster set is probably a parental rite of passage, so not being the one who has to assemble is a major selling point for me! However, for the masochists among us, the events do feature a small ‘build your own’ Trackmaster section. This includes a really cool walking bridge, which certainly catches a lot of attention.
At the edge of the room, you will find two plastic ride-on trains, which roll initially down a short length of track then freely across the room. These look great fun and are a popular feature, so there is sometimes a small queue. Although toddlers demonstrate, let's just say ‘varying degrees of turn taking ability’, there is plenty to distract them until it’s their time to ride.
In a quiet corner there is a small selection of (not train related) crafts and dress up items. I found this area was more popular with the siblings who were accompanying, rather than the train fanatics themselves. It was mostly unused when we were there. There is merchandise for sale too, via the website.
The events are popular with children with additional needs, and, the organiser Emma (a former SEN teacher), told me she likes the sessions to be as inclusive as possible. Some venues are quieter than others, and parents/carers can get in touch with her if they would like advice on which session may be most suitable for their family’s individual circumstances.
I found that many of the attendees were regulars, and there is a loyalty scheme in place which means after 5 sessions, your 6th is free. Trainmaster can also be booked for private parties where they promise to create ‘a birthday train paradise for your child’.
For anyone with a budding train driver at home, Trainmaster is unquestionably a great local a’track’tion (sorry), we have already booked our next event.
Looking for other train-themed days out? Check out these posts:
- 20+ UK Days Out for Kids who Love Trains
- 11 of the Best Train Trips from Newcastle with Kids
- 10 Reasons to Visit Locomotion Shildon
- A Day Out in Darlington including the Head of Steam Train Museum
- York Railway Museum Review
- A Trip on Tanfield Railway
- Heatherslaw Light Railway and a Day Out at Ford & Etal
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