Christmas is just around the corner, leaving only a few short days to get all your presents sorted. Luckily, The Railway Magazine is here to provide you with an exclusive Christmas Gift Guide, filled to the brim with fantastic products and services perfect for railway enthusiasts…
1. Experience life as a train driver with Train Sim World
Train Sim World is a rail simulator that allows you to drive trains of all kinds from the comfort of your sofa. Complete with in-cab interactivity, accurate detail on locos, real-world routes and hours of gameplay, anyone can take to the rails with the brand-new Train Sim World 2020 Edition and find everything you need to master new skills.
Monthly Subscription: Enjoy more Railway Magazine reading each month with free delivery to you door, and access to over 100 years in the archive, all for just £5.35 per month.
Click here to subscribe & save
The simulator is available on PC (Steam), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One – just search ‘Train Sim World’ in store.
Get it here: www.store.steampowered.com
2. Six months of The Railway Magazine for just £20!
What better gift for a rail enthusiast or current reader than a whole year of our magazine delivered right to their doorstep.
You get to save pennies and the receiver gets 12 issues of The Railway Magazine filled to the brim with railway news, features, photos and more…
Get it here: www.classicmagazines.co.uk
3. Learn more about our wonderful North Eastern Railway!
Price: Varied, North Eastern Railway Association
The North Eastern Railway Association offer a wide range of publications covering the railways of north-eastern England, from North Eastern Railway signalling to the North Eastern Railway branch lines and British Rail – a fantastic gift option for enthusiasts looking to brush up on some informative reading this Christmas.
Publications can now be bought directly from their website.
Get them here: www.ner.org.uk
4. Get lost in railway reads with Derek’s Transport Books
Price: Varied, Derek’s Transport Books
Derek’s Transport Books are an Independent book dealer based in the New Forest town of Ringwood, with a large collection of books for sale, detailing all transport subjects.
All books offered are owned by them and kept in their own climate-controlled store. Also, each book is described, including any defects or inscriptions present.
With more than 10,500 books in stock, you’ll certainly be overwhelmed with gift choices!
Get them here: www.derekstransportbooks.com
5. Treat someone – or yourself – this Christmas at Digitrains
From a gift voucher to something from their range of DCC decoders, which are complemented by their stocks of UK locomotives, there’s no end of options available.
Digitrains have locos from Bachmann, Dapol, Graham Farish, Heljan and Hornby in gauges from N to O. The loco section is well worth a visit with a good choice at competitive prices and a variety of rolling stock, along with a large selection of Metcalfe scenery and line-side products.
Visit them here: www.digitrains.co.uk or call 01522 527731
6. Follow a personal journey with Freighmaster’s Chasing Trains
Price: £19.50, Freightmaster Publishing
This new book is a personal biography by the publisher of Freightmaster: Chasing Trains 1973-1988.
It’s in full colour throughout and boasts 250 images in 240 pages; full of stories, anecdotes, highlights and mishaps while tracking down all BR locos, line-side photography, plus journeys riding behind Class 40s and 50s.
Get it here: www.freightmasterpublishing.co.uk or call 01793 644957
7. Indulge in some festive treats with the Edradour Malt Whisky Cake Box
This hand-made cake uses Edradour single malt, from Scotland’s smallest distillery and comes in an attractive box – perfect for wrapping!
This tasty treat will make for a delicious gift under anyone’s Christmas tree – or next to a glass of whisky after Christmas dinner!
Get it here: www.redwings.org.uk
8. Grab your exclusive collectable loco from Isle of Man Railway
Price: £19.95 plus P&P, Isle of Man Railway
Give an exclusive collectable locomotive gift this year; the Hutchinson No. 12 (Maroon) or Kissack No. 13 (Green).
Based on an all-over laser scanning of the full-size steam engine, both are non-motorised (1:76 scale) with narrow gauge wheel spacing and fine hand applied detail. Encased in special presentation packaging it has all over paint and print work and free moving motion.
Get them here: www.rail.im
9. Give the gift of nostalgia with Mortons Archive
Price: Varied, Mortons Archive
Images from Mortons Archive have appeared on television and film documentaries, in displays staged by the major motorcycle and rail manufacturers and across a huge number of books and magazines – and the archive is easily accessible to everyone online.
Get access to this incredible collection online or purchase a selection of your choice to give someone the gift of nostalgia this Christmas.
See them here: www.mortonsarchive.com or email [email protected]
10. Pictures worth a thousand words with Transport Treasury Publishing
Price: £14.50, Transport Treasury
The Withered Southern’s Arm and Southern Medley are the latest two additions to the Transport Treasury images catalogue, again featuring some stunning pictures with interesting and informative captions.
Both books along with current titles, Somerset & Dorset and Western Ways make for great gifts and even better reads.
Get them here: www.ttpublishing.co.uk or call 01494 708939
11. Your one stop model shop at AC MODELS!
Stuck for a gift for Christmas day? Why not go along to AC Models in Eastleigh, Hampshire where they stock a great variety of modelling products for the railway, die cast and radio-controlled enthusiast. For guaranteed happiness, gift vouchers are also available to treat that special someone.
AC Models sell brand new and near-new model trains, slot cars, sets and die-cast toys at very special prices, direct from their on-street retail premises and their eBay stores listed on the AC Models website.
Visit them here: www.acmodelseastleigh.co.uk or call 02380 610100
12. Explore the Golden Years of Rail Travel with this fantastic book
Take a journey back to the boom time of Britain’s railways with best-selling author Julian Holland. Re-visit the past through his unique collection of fascinating stories, photographs, posters and railway ephemera.
The Golden Years of Rail Travel is the perfect gift for all rail enthusiasts looking for an interesting, educational read.
Get it here: www.timesbooks.co.uk
13. Steam on Merseyside and Beyond – a wealth of discovery!
Price: £39.95, Thirty Nine Associates
Steam on Merseyside and Beyond by David Bryant and John Bannon is packed with pictures, stories and information about the railways around Merseyside, covering the 1955-68 era, including first-hand recollections of some of the steam crews of the area. However, like any big industrial area, it was about the locomotives; many different classes, from the diminutive ‘Pug’ 0-4-0ST to the ‘9F’ 2-10-0s.
Readers will dip in and out of the book for months, discovering something new about Merseyside and its railways every time.
This hardback holds 416 pages with 570 colour and B&W photos. It’s available from Waterstones, Pritchards and Bill Hudson Books. The last few copies are available so make sure to get yours quickly.
Get it here: Call David on 01515 235240 or email [email protected]
14. Can’t decide? These gift vouchers will save the day!
Price: From £5.00, Romney Hythe
Experience world-famous miniature steam trains for yourself and take the controls in one of Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway’s unique journey’s that leaves most who try it wanting more.
The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway offers experiences to suit all abilities and pockets and with gift vouchers available now and delivery before Christmas, that’s another present done and dusted. Great!
Get them here: www.rhdr.org.uk or call 01797 362353
15. Get a whiff of British Railways Stinks from Mortons books
On sale November 29, this book tells the unusual, astonishing and sometimes downright hilarious story of the last railway chemists or ‘stinks’ and the weird and wonderful work they did.
You can find out more and pre-order your copy online – this will be a gift that lingers!
Get it here: www.mortonsbooks.co.uk
16. Those WERE the Days! – A trip down memory lane with Barrie C Woods
Price: £19.50 inc. P&P, Barrie C Woods
Almost 60 years ago, when the author Barrie Woods began train-spotting from – 1959 until the end of steam on BR, August 4, 1968 – Barrie visited more than 600 Locomotive sheds, works and scrapyards, and in doing so recorded more than 21,000 steam engines…
With 185 A4 pages and more than 100 previously unpublished B & W photos accompanying the text, this book is perfect for long-time rail enthusiasts looking for a trip down memory lane.
You can buy direct from the author with discounts available for bulk orders.
Get it here: 01253 895377 or 07967 251090
17. A gift that keeps on giving with the Friends of Exbury annual membership
Price: From £45, Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
Exbury’s annual membership has a range of exclusive benefits, including unlimited train rides on their 12¼ in-gauge steam railway that travels on a 1½ mile journey through Exbury’s world-famous gardens.
Other perks include unlimited entry to the gardens, unlimited guided buggy tours, plus discounts in the gift shop and restaurant.
Get them here: www.exbury.co.uk or call 02380891203
18. I Tried To Run A Little Railway – it’s un-put-downable!
I Tried To Run A Little Railway is well illustrated, with maps and diagrams – it’s a really good read. Full of never-been-published hilarious stories, and information that you won’t find anywhere else, this volume has been described as ‘un-put-downable’.
With so much insider, expert information for those interested in railways, it is an ideal Christmas gift to enjoy. Order now!
Get it here: www.Adlestroppress.co.uk or call 01908 502166
19. Find over a century of railway features with The Railway Magazine Archive!
Access 120 years’ worth of history from the nation’s most authoritative and prestigious rail publication, The Railway Magazine.
There’s fully searchable content, scrapbooks of your favourite articles, bonus previously unpublished content as well as multi-platform access. You can activate your account from as little as £6 which gets you three months’ access to the Digital Archive.
Simply tick the box at the bottom of The Railway Magazine subscription page to add the archive onto your subscription!
Get it here: www.classicmagazines.co.uk
20. Get clued up on diesel-hydraulics with the Western Chronicles Series
Price: £14.99, Track Record Press
Western Class books are the perfect gift for diesel-hydraulic lovers – the latest book from their Western Chronicles series, Western Pioneer, includes repaints and renovations – the latest research; the Golden Stud, a new look at this crack express; Misha Black and Beresford-Evans reveal why they went for a new colour instead of locomotive green and D1003’s life and times and much much more.
Plus you can discover lots more Class 52 gift ideas on their website. Order from the Track Record Press website to get one – or a few – of these cracking gifts.
Get it here: www.westernlocomotiveresearchsociety.com
21. Durable and fashionable – these leather bags have it all!
The perfect gifts for your loved ones as they are made to last for years; it doesn’t get better than luxury leather. Lledar’s collection includes an extensive range of beautifully made leather bags, briefcases, travel bags, wallets, belts and more…
Complete with exceptional service and free UK delivery and returns, these fantastic leather goods will be a long-lasting and stylish addition to anyone’s wardrobe this Christmas.
For an extra 20% off all items on the website, use the code ‘RAIL20’ – it just gets better!
Get them here: www.lledar.com
22. There’s nothing better than a Freebie – so get yours from Arrow File
Claim a FREE* Hogwarts Express train greeting card, worth £5.99, with all orders over £25 from the collectable storage specialists.
Arrowfile offers a wide selection of archival collectable storage, display and presentation solutions for collectables, including models, photos, CDs/DVDs, vinyl records, certificates, tickets, stamps, coins, postcards, medals and memorabilia. There’s so much gifting choice that you’ll certainly find the perfect present for the rail enthusiast in your life.
Get it here: www.arrowfile.com or call 0845 855 2060 and quote RMHOG
23. Go Off The Rails with these fantastic station totems and signs
Off The Rails brings you the unique opportunity to own a reminder of the Golden Age of British Steam with their range of personalised station totems and signs. The ideal gift for the railway enthusiast.
From the Great Western to the Southern Railway, each totem is individually made to order using a 6mm thick substrate, measuring 11 x 3 inches overall and is supplied in a gift presentation box. Magnetic or self-adhesive mounts are available as fixing options.
Get it here: www.offtherailsonline.com or call 01903 751700
24. A mystery thriller for Christmas? Check!
Price: From £8.99, Vignoles Press
Detective Inspector Vignoles and his team are pitched among the runners for the 1955 Cheltenham Gold Cup all because a little girl loses a worthless jewel down the back of a railway carriage seat, but others think this little sparkler is worth Murder In Broadway. . .
Cold Steel Rail & Murder in Broadway are parts one and two of a thrilling new detective mystery, The Inspector Vignoles Mysteries. You can order via Facebook or visit GCR, GWSR, Vale of Rheidol and NYMR to pick up a copy!
Get it here: www.inspectorvignoles.ukwriters.net
25. Saving the world one gift at a time with Great Western Railway
Price: £14.50, Great Western Railway
Stop plastic bottles with one of GWR’s durable stainless-steel bottles. Designed with a double-wall, vacuum construction with copper insulation, which allows your beverage to stay cold for 48 hours and 12 hours for hot beverages as well as a screw-on spill-resistant lid, this is one reliable bottle – it’s eco-friendly too.
You can also get a great Christmas stocking filler with a pair of unique cotton ankle socks in grey and woven with a GWR Intercity train design to each sock. Cozy and cool!
Buy three items or more from GWR and enjoy a 15% discount using the code ‘15%OFF’ valid for online purchase from 1 November to 31 December 2019
Get it here: www.gwrsouvenirs.co.uk.
