Famous Trains Model Railway
Famous Trains Model Railway
4.5
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4.5
52 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
10
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
51plus
Northampton, UK136 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Really interesting exhibition with very knowledgeable volunteers who are happy to chat, and explain how the layouts were made. Small shop area, mainly model making items. There’s also a table with wooden trains for small children to play with. Great way to spend a couple of hours - but check opening hours as it’s not open everyday.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan C
2 contributions
Sep 2022
Whoever criticised the absence of a Pendolino doesn't know much about railways. It has never run through Chinley, nor anywhere else without overhead lines. I think it is a totally superb attraction, accurately detailed, romanticised or fantastic where it needs to be. Something for absolutely everyone! And a great little shop for modellers of all levels!
Written 25 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK2,549 contributions
Oct 2022
Located in Markeaton Park Famous trains is a very impressive model railway. It's a bit of a walk and with the help of google I was able to find it within the park.
The railway is based on Chinley which is a real place and shows how the station was in the past with trains running back and forth.
They also have a display of what Chinley looks like nowadays which is a far cry from what it was like in days gone by.
The volunteers are friendly and able to tell you about the layout and the history of the area it is based on.
There are other things I could tell you about but I don't want to spoil your visit ;)
The railway is based on Chinley which is a real place and shows how the station was in the past with trains running back and forth.
They also have a display of what Chinley looks like nowadays which is a far cry from what it was like in days gone by.
The volunteers are friendly and able to tell you about the layout and the history of the area it is based on.
There are other things I could tell you about but I don't want to spoil your visit ;)
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thu Ya Win
Derby, UK41 contributions
Aug 2022
It was a meh attraction. And it was hard to reach the place. It was in the middle of a park, and few busses served the area.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela Topping
11 contributions
Mar 2022
I'm not really the model train buff but my husband fancied visiting. He enjoyed it. I liked the layouts but would have liked to see the trains moving around more, so I could follow their journey. I'm currently using a wheelchair some of the time, and I wanted to reassure people who need such mobility aids that this place is fully and easily accessible. A gentle ramp from the door up to the counter, and once inside, we folded the chair and I was able to walk round using my stick, thanks to the handrail round half of the displays and layouts. It's not possible to park very near but it was all level ground from the main car park, and not far. The website does not say that they have an accessible toilet, but in fact they do, behind a door marked staff only, but someone will open that on request. It's essential to have a loo, for people who have driven a long distance, so I am surprised the website doesn't mention it. There is also a small shop including some second hand books.
The volunteers were friendly enough but there could have been more interaction. I felt we were really watching others play with trains, apart from a couple of press the button things. The layouts were charming but could have done with a bit of dusting, as I noticed several cobwebs! Markeaton Park itself was lovely, and a good place to picnic. There are more toilets, including an accessible one, that needed a radar key, near the Orangery.
The volunteers were friendly enough but there could have been more interaction. I felt we were really watching others play with trains, apart from a couple of press the button things. The layouts were charming but could have done with a bit of dusting, as I noticed several cobwebs! Markeaton Park itself was lovely, and a good place to picnic. There are more toilets, including an accessible one, that needed a radar key, near the Orangery.
Written 29 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GG20142014
Nottingham, UK13 contributions
Sep 2021
We spent around 2 hours in the Centre with our 3 year old son. Centre staff spent a long time showing him the displays and answering his questions. We visited on the way back from a holiday and he said that the trains were the best bit of the holiday.
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paradise185283
5 contributions
Jun 2021
A 00 scale layout of Chinley in its heyday.
Other smaller layouts for the kids to play with and a small shop.
Only £1 to get in.
A shame though that the ride on railway around the park had to be ripped up though.
Other smaller layouts for the kids to play with and a small shop.
Only £1 to get in.
A shame though that the ride on railway around the park had to be ripped up though.
Written 24 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham J
10 contributions
Mar 2020
I recently visited this attraction for the second time.
It's a great place to visit to see all of the layouts of which most were working. On the large layout there was a wide range of model trains going around the various circuits. It is a wonderful layout but in certain areas, it's starting to look a bit tired and perhaps could do with a bit of a clean.
This Model Railway is situated a small distance from the Car Park which is fine for most people but people who are less abled or struggle with walking would have a problem.
I would certainly visit this place again.
It's a great place to visit to see all of the layouts of which most were working. On the large layout there was a wide range of model trains going around the various circuits. It is a wonderful layout but in certain areas, it's starting to look a bit tired and perhaps could do with a bit of a clean.
This Model Railway is situated a small distance from the Car Park which is fine for most people but people who are less abled or struggle with walking would have a problem.
I would certainly visit this place again.
Written 21 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chell272015
Derbyshire, UK2 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Spent a lovely afternoon looking at the beautifully made layouts and the little trains. The 6 and 3 year olds loved pushing the buttons to make the trains run and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andrew e
Oxford, UK124 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
An absolute gem of a find! A model railway in the middle of the park in Derby. Fully running OO voyage layout with buttons for the children to press, plus a corner where the kids can do some colouring in the warm, and watch Thomas the tank video. Plus there's a small layout where they can have a go at driving. Beware though, you'll go home wanting one! Entry was £5 for 2 adults and 2 children. Really good value!
Car parking available right by it, at the pay and display car park.
You don't have to love trains to appreciate it.
Car parking available right by it, at the pay and display car park.
You don't have to love trains to appreciate it.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Famous Trains Model Railway
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