• The Model Railway Shop

    The Model Railway Shop is open
    Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 4.30pm

    Pecorama & Exhibition

    Monday Closed
    Tuesday Closed
    Wednesday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Thursday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Friday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Sunday Closed
  • DIRECTIONS TO EX12 3NA

    BY CAR:

    Follow the brown official tourist board direction signs indicated with a train symbol for ‘Pecorama Pleasure Gardens’ from the A3052 towards Beer.

    BY BUS:

    For full details please telephone Devon Bus Service on (01392) 382800, or Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

    BY TRAIN:

    The nearest train station to Pecorama is Axminster, on the West of England main line.

  • Information Line

    Should there be anything you would like to enquire about you can call on 01297 626204 or e-mail us at info@pecorama.co.uk

  • Check the weather

    The weather is looking lovely all week!

  • TRIPADVISOR

Experiences

The Orion Pullman Carriage

Standing in the siding at Beer Victoria Station is the beautifully preserved Orion Pullman Car, part of the Golden Arrow trains that ran from Victoria Station to the coast in the 1950's.

Having been saved from scrappage by Pecorama, Orion was restored by highly skilled craftsmen, at the British Rail Works in Wolverton, where the Royal Train had been maintained. Here the vehicle was repainted in the distinguished umber and cream Pullman livery, reinstating the elaborate lining and coat of arms that adorned these cars in years gone by. The interior, while retaining all the beauty of the original brass decoration and polished woodwork, has been completely refurbished by local craftsmen to include individual seating, an entirely redesigned kitchen and drinks dispensary.

It was in January of 1978 that the 40-ton coach was transported an arduous 250 miles by road to the Pecorama site. It now stands majestically at rest adjoining Beer Victoria, a full-sized replica station platform.

For many years, this 1951-built Pullman Car Orion made regular journeys between London Victoria and the Channel Ports, as part of the prestigious ‘Golden Arrow’ luxury train.

The Pullman Carriage is available for private hire for up to 24 people in the main saloon (with a further 4 catered for in the Coupe) and can provide you with a unique experience at attractive rates to suit your needs.

Depending on your requirements and the date of your event, catering can be in-house or supplied by outside caterers of your own choosing.

Please contact us for further details with your requirements at info@pecorama.co.uk  and one of our team will call you back to discuss all the options.

Driver Experience Day

This fantastic day-out offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the thrill of preparing, firing and driving a steam locomotive, on the award-winning Beer Heights Light Railway - our mile long scenic, fully-signalled narrow gauge railway at Pecorama, in glorious Devon.

This experience is for people over the age of 18. 

DRIVER EXPERIENCE (Full Day)

Our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience Day offers you the chance to have the footplate all to yourself, whilst benefitting from expert tuition and supervision from our highly experienced staff.  

Participants are welcome to bring up to two guests who can enjoy the day on site and then join you for your takeaway lunch from 12:45pm onwards and be your first passengers when you take control of your locomotive!

 

Course Timetable

COURSE TIMETABLE

10:00am Arrive at the main reception where you will be met and accompanied to the Orion Pullman Carriage for a safety briefing and theory session over coffee – and order your takeaway lunch from our canteen menu, which serves freshly made food to our whole site.

After that, you will prepare, learn the controls and steam-up the engine.

Before lunch, (if all goes well!), there should be an opportunity to try your hand at driving the engine, with full guidance and advice from your instructor, who sits behind you with ‘dual controls’ – just in case. There is a clear, social distancing screen, between you and the instructor, who can relay instructions to you via a cab radio if required.

12:45pm If you have guests joining you now, please ask them to meet you at White Falls Platform where your pre-ordered takeaway lunch(es) will be given to you to enjoy the gardens together whilst you re-energise yourself for the afternoon’s excitement!

13:30pm After lunch, you will be coupling up to a set of coaches and driving yourself and your guests on a few trips on the fully signalled, mile long ‘mainline’ with wonderful views.

Finally, there is ‘disposal’ – how to clean up and leave your locomotive safe for the night, during which time your guests may wait in the gardens for you.  Your day will finish at around mid-afternoon.

COST

 The £290.00 cost includes all refreshments throughout the day, entry for two guests and a personalised certificate to commemorate your day as a driver. 

BOOK A DRIVER EXPERIENCE DAY

To book, please e-mail callum.darraugh@peco.co or call 01297 306057

ADVANCED DRIVER EXPERIENCE

Due to demand, we are delighted to introduce our Advanced Driver Experience course which is open to anyone who has successfully completed the Beer Heights Light Railway Stage One Driver Experience Course (as advertised above).

Ever fancied driving a freight train, shunting at various sidings delivering the goods? Here is your perfect opportunity to experience the dream. The advanced course will present the opportunity to operate a freight service on the award winning Beer Heights Light Railway, using a variety of motive power to shunt freight wagons at the various sidings and stations along the route.

Participants are welcome to bring an able bodied friend to act as a shunter alongside your Beer Heights Instructor if they wish.

COURSE TIMETABLE

Course Timetable for Advanced Driver Experience Course

10:00am Arrive at the main reception where you will be met and accompanied to the Orion Pullman Carriage for a safety briefing and introductory session over coffee – and order your takeaway lunch(es) from our canteen menu, which serves tasty, freshly made food to our whole site.

After that, you will prepare and steam up the engine.

11:30am Organise and commence ‘Trip Freight’’ workings around the Beer Heights system.

12.45pm We will stop for lunch when you can enjoy the gardens whilst you re-energise yourself for the afternoon’s further excitement!

13:30pm After lunch, you will continue to deliver the goods around the site, eventually assembling all the wagons back at the yard.

Finally, there is ‘disposal’ – clean up and leave your locomotive safe for the night. Following a de-brief your day will finish at around mid- afternoon.

COST

The £330.00 cost includes all refreshments throughout the day and a personalised certificate to commemorate your day as a Freight Train Driver.

For further information, or to book this course.....

PLEASE CALL 01297 306057
OR email us – Callum.Darraugh@peco.co / info@pecorama.co.uk

DRIVER EXPERIENCE (Half Day)

The smaller, friendly railway with the full engineman’s experience!

A great opportunity to enjoy the thrill of preparing, firing and driving a steam locomotive, on the award-winning Beer Heights Light Railway – our mile long scenic, fully signalled narrow gauge railway at Pecorama, in glorious Devon.

Our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience Courses offer you the chance to have the footplate all to yourself, whilst benefiting from expert tuition and supervision from our highly experienced staff.

Participants are welcome to bring up to two guests who are welcome to enjoy the site and join you as passengers when you take over as engine driver!

Course Timetable

Course Timetable

13.30 Arrive at the main reception where you will be met and accompanied to the BHLR Upsan Downs Depot for a safety briefing and short theory session over coffee.

After that, there will be a familiarisation session with the locomotive, its controls, and their operation.

You will then couple up to a train and take the engine out on the mainline, under direct supervision of the instructor. (Your guests may join you for this)

Finally, there is ‘disposal’ – shunt your train away, clean up and leave your locomotive safe for the night, during which time your guests may wait in the gardens for you. Your day will finish at around 1630 hrs.

 

COST

The £195 cost includes a personalised certificate to commemorate your time as a driver.

TO BOOK – PLEASE CALL 01297 306057 OR email us – callum.darraugh@peco.co

Frequently asked questions:

Frequently asked questions:

Is there an age limit?

Yes, participants must be 18 years or over.

Do I need special clothing?

Cotton overalls (or a jacket and over-trousers) are essential to protect your clothing, along with stout boots – safety type preferable. (Trainers are not suitable). A waterproof jacket is also useful in case of poor weather. Suitable gloves will be provided.

Can I book on behalf of someone else?

Yes, this course makes an ideal gift.

How physically demanding is the course?

Participants need to possess a reasonable degree of physical and mental agility and to be able to comply with both verbal and graphic instruction. However, we cannot make assumptions or judgements about a person’s abilities without being informed of their circumstances and needs. The locomotive used has a ‘sit in’ cab which requires some flexibility to enter and egress. If in doubt, please ring us to discuss the above.

Terms & conditions 

Payment – 50% deposit payable on booking. Balance to be paid no later than 28 days prior to the course date. 

Cancellation Policy – refunds for cancellations will be considered up to one week prior to the day, if we are able to re-fill the booked slot. Thereafter, a maximum refund of 50% may be given. For cancellation due to Covid restraints/illnessyour course will be re-arranged for a future date. 

DCC Courses

DCC- Digital Command Control Course Information

2024 Course Dates

Pecorama will be hosting a ‘Beginner’s Guide to Digital Command Control’ (DCC) on:

Saturday 6th July
Friday 9th August
Saturday 7th September
Saturday 5th October

To book your space on either of these dates, please click the link below:

BOOK ONLINE HERE

Course Information

A ‘Beginner’s Guide to Digital Command Control’ (DCC)

A practical day course taking a novice through the first step of Digital Command Control and answering some of the frequently asked questions.

The day will cover such topics as:

  • ‘What is DCC?’
  • Setting up a layout.
  • The basics of fitting decoders in locomotives.
  • Working with Accessories.

'A Beginner's Guide To DCC' Course Itinerary

9.30am Welcome with coffee & tea
Introductions in the Station Gallery Learning Centre
10.00am The Beginner's Guide To DCC - Part 1
12.30pm Short break for lunch (Lunch Included)
1.00pm The Beginner's Guide To DCC - Part 2
4.30pm Finish

Course Prices

'A Beginners Guide To DCC' - £65.00 per person

Price includes:

  • Tea & coffee welcome.
  • Lunch
  • 10% Discount Voucher to spend in our Model Shop during your time on the course.

FAQs

Are there any age restrictions?

Yes, participants should be 18 years or over.


Do I need to bring any special clothing and tools?

You will be provided with a short list of necessary items prior to your course.


How many participants will there be on each course?

There will be a maximum of 12.


When are the courses available?

As dates become available they will be posted on this page of the website.


Can I book on behalf of someone else?

Yes, this course makes an ideal present.


How do I book?

Please book directly via our website here.


If I have any technical questions who can I speak to?

Please ring us on 01297 306 035 and ask for Julia Boswell, who will be one of your course tutors. Otherwise you can e-mail her at julia.boswell@peco.co

Bookings & Cancellations

Terms & Conditions

The full amount for the course will be required to be paid in advance, please book online. If you are unable to book online please phone 01297 306035 and ask for Julia.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations will be accepted and fully refunded up to 48 hours prior to the course. After this period a 50% refund will be given and only before the course commences.

Track and Electrics 1 Day Course

Track and Electrics Course Information

Railway Modelling Course Itinerary: Track and Electrics (1-Day Demonstration)

Join us for a comprehensive one-day demonstration course on track laying and electrics, designed for railway modelling enthusiasts. This course will cover the essential techniques and knowledge needed to lay tracks, make joints, and understand the intricacies of track wiring.

This is not a hands on course, We do encourage you to ask questions throughout each topic of the course to get as much information as you need.

 

Location: Pecorama Model Railway Exhibition

Upcoming Dates: October 1st 2024

Cost: £65

Maximum Participants: 10

Start Time: 9:00 a.m.

 

Course Content:

1. Laying Straight Track and Making a Joint

– Learn the best practices for laying straight track sections and how to create seamless joints.

2. Laying a Turnout and Tracks Leading from a Turnout

– A demonstration on how to install turnouts and properly align the tracks leading from them.

3. Using the 6’ Way Gauge

– Learn how to use the 6’ way gauge to ensure your tracks are correctly spaced.

4. Laying Curved Track and Making a Joint

– Techniques for laying curved tracks and creating joints that avoid dog-legs.

5. Track Wiring Theory

– Understand the differences between Insulfrog, Electrofrog, and Unifrog turnouts, and how they interact with analogue and DCC control systems.

– A leaflet with detailed wiring examples will be provided.

6. Turnout Motor Options and Installation

– Explore various turnout motor options and how to fit them to your model railway.

Course Structure:

– Morning Session (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.):

– Introduction and Track Laying Demonstrations

– Coffee/Tea Break

– Track Wiring Theory and Demonstrations

– Lunch Break (1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.):

– Enjoy a lunch of sandwiches and cakes in the Orion coach.

– Afternoon Session (1:45 p.m. – Early Afternoon):

– Continuation of Morning Topics

– Turnout Motor Demonstrations

Schedule may differ and more may be covered in the morning.

Additional Information:

Completion Time: The course aims to finish early in the afternoon, allowing time for participants to visit the model shop.

Model Shop Discount: Each participant will receive a 10% discount voucher for use on the day in our well-stocked model shop.

Contact for Queries:

If you have any questions before booking, please contact Andrew Beard at 01297 300194.

This course is perfect for both beginners and seasoned railway modelers looking to refine their skills. We look forward to welcoming you to an informative and enjoyable day at Pecorama!

Book Online Now!