Trains - Pecorama

We regret to inform you that we have taken the very difficult decision to announce that  Pecorama will remain closed to the general public for the whole 2020 season.

Click for full statement…
DIRECTIONS TO EX12 3NA

BUY 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:

The X52 service travels from Exeter through to Bridport via Lyme Regis, stopping off at Beer Cross which is a 10 minute walk from Pecorama.

The 9 / 9A service runs hourly from Exeter to Seaton / Lyme Regis and the 20 service travels from Taunton, via Wellington and Honiton, to Seaton where there are bus services to Beer. Both of these services are offered by Stagecoach.

AVMT provide the 899 service from Sidmouth to Seaton and the 885 from Axminster to Colyton, Seaton and Beer. Some of these buses pass just outside Pecorama and will stop on request.

For full details please telephone Devon Bus Service on (01392) 382800, Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or any of the bus service providers.

BY TRAIN:

The nearest train station to Pecorama is Axminster, on the West of England main line. Trains run approximately every hour from Exeter St Davids and from London Waterloo. The station is approximately 9 miles from us. The 885 AVMT bus service travels from the Station to Colyton, Seaton and Beer, every hour Monday to Saturday.

Alternatively, taxis from the station can be booked in advance – Axminster Taxis 01297 34000.
Information Line

Click for full contact details
Check the weather

Pecorama is located high on the hillside, less than a mile from the sea and often seems to have its own micro-climate. Therefore, if you are planning a visit and the general forecast is not that good, why not telephone us for an up-to-date report of what is actually happening here at Pecorama – the chances are we are having a lovely day!

Call us on 01297 21542
TRIPADVISOR

Trains

Driver Experience Courses

We are pleased to announce that we are re-starting our Driver Experience Courses for 2020.

After careful review, we have implemented some changes to our course to allow us to continue offering this great day out in a COVID safe environment.

This course 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.

Our Steam Locomotive Driver Experience Courses offer 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 may join you for your takeaway lunch from 12:45pm onwards and be your first passengers when you take control of your locomotive!

See our new video for this year.......

Course Timetable

Course Timetable:

10:00 Arrive at the main reception where you will be met and accompanied to the BHLR ticket office for a safety briefing and theory session over coffee – (with allowances made for social distancing), and order your takeaway lunch from our canteen menu, which serves tasty, 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.

12:45 If you have guests joining you now, please ask them to report to the main reception where you can meet them with your pre-ordered takeaway lunch and enjoy the gardens together whilst you re-energise yourself for the afternoon’s excitement!

13:30 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 £210 cost includes all refreshments throughout the day and a personalised certificate to commemorate your day as a driver.

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.

Covid 19 related considerations

Your instructor will respect social distancing throughout the day and it should not be necessary to encounter anyone else, in close proximity, on the site.
A clear screen is fitted between the locomotive and the instructors riding van behind.

All appropriate areas and surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned before your experience.
Hand sanitiser is available.
Protective gloves (provided) should be worn on the locomotive.
For the course, you may use your own face mask as you wish but we would point out that, due to the heat from the engine, this may be uncomfortable and there could also be a small risk of fire – you will effectively be in the ‘fresh air’ most of the day.

* In line with our Company policy for all personnel on site, we ask that you and your guests wear a face covering when entering the cloakroom facilities and other enclosed areas (aside from the main course areas, where you will be accompanied by your instructor).

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK – PLEASE CALL 01297 21542 Ext 257 or 258
OR email us – John.Macdougall@Peco.co / Blanche.Alexander@Peco.co

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions

Payment – 50% deposit payable on booking. Balance to be paid no later than 14 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/illness, your course will be re-arranged for a future date.

A Personal Pecorama Experience

Join us for a private guided tour of the gardens, an exclusive steam train ride and a cream tea with views to die for!

On arrival you will be met by our knowledgeable guide who will give you a private tour of the fabulous gardens here at Pecorama and talk about the history of our unique site.

After which, your very own narrow-gauge steam Locomotive will be fired up and waiting at one of our Railway Stations to take you around our mile and quarter track in this picturesque setting, through our bespoke tunnel and emerging on the hillside over Beer Village with far reaching views of Lyme Bay.

Following this fantastic journey (with many photo opportunities), alight at the station and enjoy a home-made cream tea on the terrace*, soaking in the fabulous scenery.

* Alternative arrangements for inclement weather will be made in our luxurious Pullman Carriage.

What’s included –

*A private guided tour of our gardens

*An exclusive steam train ride for you and your guests

*A bespoke cream tea

Cream Tea Package

Tea, scones, jam and cream

£29.50 per person*

High Tea Package

All the above PLUS finger sandwiches and scrummy home-made cakes

£36.50 per person*

Sparkling Special Package

High tea PLUS Prosecco

£42.50 per person*

Terms and conditions

* minimum party groups of 4 people / or minimum spend of £100
Groups of up to 6 people
Must be booked at least 72 hours in advance
Available Monday to Thursday between 10am until 4.30pm (end time) – other days by prior agreement
Pre-payment required
Children’s discount not available – (NB our play equipment is not currently open)
Cancellation – full refund if cancelled 72 hours in advance thereafter, no refunds will be given. Postponement may be available due to certain circumstances.

To Book or to find out more please call 01297 21542 and ask for Blanche Alexander

or email Blanche.Alexander@Peco.co

Beer Heights Light Railway – Currently Closed

Take a ride on the Beer Heights Light Railway

Considered by many to be the finest 7¼ inch gauge railway in Britain, the Beer Heights Light Railway (BHLR) first opened to the public on the 14 July 1975. Given the location of Pecorama, high on the hillside above the village of Beer, a ride on the railway offers wonderful views over Lyme Bay and along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the distant Portland Bill.

Having been gradually extended over the years, the line forms a complex, convoluted circuit now one mile in length. Passenger trains start and finish at the terminus of Much Natter Station, just inside the main Garden entrance. The route starts off through the formal gardens, includes many bridges, extensive sidings and a lengthy tunnel. Following this, the train seems to go out into the countryside and passes the new Deepwater station. Here passengers may choose to alight to enjoy the tranquillity of Lake Charlotte, the beautiful wildlife pond in Wildway Park, where there is also a nature walk and fitness trail. The train then passes a branch line which zig-zags down very steep gradients to the Beer Mine.

At the very busiest times, train services can involve running up to three passenger trains and four locomotives at once. Smooth and safe operation is assured by the fully automatic, fail-safe signalling system which utilises both colour light and traditional semaphore signals. Much of the railway’s extensive fleet of locomotives and rolling stock is based on British narrow gauge railway practice such as the well-known ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’, but one-third of the size!

On a beautifully sunny day at the end of June 2018, the most recent member of the BHLR fleet was officially named ‘Jools‘ by music legend and railway enthusiast Jools Holland.

Learn more about Beer Heights Light Railway

Model Railway Exhibition – Currently Closed

Following guidelines from the government regarding social distancing we have taken the difficult decision to close the Exhibition for 2020.

As you enter Pecorama, the Model Railway Exhibition and Model Shop welcome you to the home of the famous PECO brand of model railways, one of the last major model railway production facilities left in the UK. The factory, alongside Pecorama, produces a countless variety of items for the enthusiast every day, utilising modern specialist machinery with highly skilled local labour.

Since railways fascinate many adults and children alike, it is not surprising that such a large number of homes already have a model railway. Some enthusiasts are deterred from the hobby in the belief that they would need more space. However, our Model Railway Exhibition aims to inspire modellers by demonstrating a variety of practical small layouts to suit every home – with options for both indoors and out. All boast an impressive amount of detail and even those who don’t model will marvel at the craftwork involved. Many of the layouts have interactive features.

Railway Modelling Courses- Currently suspended

Course Dates

Sadly there will be no Railway Modelling Courses in 2020… We hope to be back up and running in 2021… Watch this space.

To register your interest, please contact us either by phone on 01297 21542 or by using our contact form. We will call you back to discuss the course details.

General Information

A practical introduction to the core aspects of railway modelling, with expert tuition from our very own in-house modellers.

The course will start with a private guided tour of the Pecorama Model Railway Exhibition to illustrate many of the techniques that will be taught. Much of the course will be hands-on, with your tutors assisting and advising you on each aspect.

Over the duration of the course each student will learn how to model their own section of baseboard, which can be taken home at the end of the course.

Trackwork and Electrics Course Itinerary

Day One

	9.00am	Meet your instructors and take a conducted tour of the Pecorama Model Railway Exhibition
		Introductions and information at the Station Gallery Learning Centre
		Trackwork Techniques
	1.00pm	Break for lunch
	2.00pm	Layout Electrics Theory
	5.00pm	Finish

Day Two

	9.00am	Layout Electrics Practical
	1.00pm	Lunch

Scenery Course Itinerary

Day One

	9.00am	Meet your instructors and take a conducted tour of the Pecorama Model Railway Exhibition
		Painting and weathering of track plus adding a level crossing with roadway
	1.00pm	Lunch
		Track ballasting and basic scenery
	5.00pm	Finish

Day Two

	9.00am	Use of static grass system
		Addition of extra detailing such as fencing, bushes, trees etc...
	1.00pm	Finish at Lunchtime to allow students time to visit the shop

Price

2020 Price - £225 per person

Price includes:

Tea/coffee breaks in the morning and afternoon on day 1, as well as the morning of day 2
A choice of lunch options from the menu will be provided on both days
10% Discount Voucher to spend in our Model Shop during your time on the course
Access to all Pecorama attractions, including a train ride
Take home your selected baseboard or kit (depending on which course) and the inspiration to help you to start building your very own model railway

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 ring us on 01297 21542 EXT 261 and ask for Andrew Beard, who will be one of your course tutors.

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

Please ring us on 01297 21542 EXT 261 and ask for Andrew Beard, who will be one of your course tutors.

Bookings & Cancellations

Terms and Conditions

50% Deposit payable on booking. Balance to be paid no later than 14 days prior to course date.

Cancellation Policy

Refunds for cancellations will be considered up to 48 hours prior to the course, where after a maximum of 50% refund may be given.

PECORAMA Model Shop – Open for Mail Order only

Now open for Mail-Order and Order Collection

The Model Shop, although not open for casual visitors just yet, is ready to take orders for all your modelling needs over the phone or via email. We can post the goods or you can come and collect.

To contact the shop please call 01297 21542 or email pecoshop@peco.co

On leaving the Exhibition Hall, you will enter the specialist Model Railway and Book Shop where our staff are at your service to answer queries and show you the extensive range of products by PECO and many other major manufacturers. The current issues of Railway Modeller and Continental Modeller, magazines with the largest circulation in their field, are on sale.

For those who are looking for souvenirs to take home or buy for friends, you will find a good selection of traditional small items on sale, including postcards.

Pecorama Model shop Website

Orion Pullman Carriage – Currently Closed

Standing in the siding at Beer Victoria Station is the beautifully preserved Orion Pullman Car, part of the Golden Arrow train that used to run from Victoria Station, London to the Channel coast.

Bought and saved from the scrapheap 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.

Your Carriage Awaits

As a quiet, peaceful area to enjoy refreshments and indulge in the nostalgia that this environment provides we advise that it is therefore not suitable for very young children.

Full catering facilities, including a children’s menu are available in the Garden Room Restaurant.

The Orion can also be hired for a variety of uses.

For a birthday party, business conference, meeting place or even a wedding reception, the Orion Pullman Car is the perfect venue creating a special ambience, reminiscent of days gone by…

Our Pullman Carriage is available for private hire and can provide you with a unique experience at attractive rates to suit your needs. Bespoke programmes can be arranged on request so please contact us for details.

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

For a nominal charge, Pecorama can also provide you with an expert to give a talk on either the history of Pecorama and the Beer Heights Light Railway, or a wide variety of other topics. Talks can be entertaining, light-hearted or informative, all tailored to suit your needs.

Guide Rates to Hire Car - Not available in 2020

Morning session	Afternoon session	Evening session
10am to 12pm	2pm to 4pm	6pm to 8pm
£50 + VAT	£50 + VAT	£100 + VAT

Hire charges are reduced by 50% for multiple bookings (3 or more)

All prices are for guidance only and are not to be taken as a definitive quote for the hire of the car. Pecorama reserves the right to increase or decrease the hire figure depending on the nature of the event being planned.

Model Railway Exhibition

Unfortunately, this is currently closed to visitors but you can see some of our layouts here.....

STATION GALLERY

A modern lecture theatre, perfect for special events

PECO Model Shop

Find the perfect gift or souvenir for every railway enthusiast

GLORIOUS GARDENS

Although our gardens remain closed for 2020, please feel free to browse our site for the history, information and some glorious pictures - to entice you back next year!

Driver Experience Courses