MARTIN LOVELL shows us what he found on a trip to Whipsnade Zoo.
I was invited on a day out with a few bus-minded people to go to a bus rally near Dunstable, so at a quarter to six on a wet morning, I turned up at the meeting point in Littlehampton and we set off.
Despite the rain and wind, we made good time and soon turned up at the venue - a large showground, where many buses and coaches had already turned up.
After a stretching of legs, cup of coffee etc. we wandered around looking at various buses and coaches, and then investigated the marquees where a multitude of bus models and collectibles were on offer.
Eventually though, we found out that shuttle buses were available to visit local attractions, and so plumped for a trip to Whipsnade Zoo, to which we were able to get free travel and half price admission.
Apart of course from the collection of animals, another extremely good reason for going was the 2ft 6inch steam railway which gives a tour around part of the zoo, with a commentary on the various animals to be seen on the way.
Our locomotive for the trip was No 1049 “Excelsior,” a 1908 built Kerr Stuart locomotive, which along with the other locomotive No 4034 “Superior” (built in 1922 by Kerr Stuart) originally worked at the Bowater Paper mill in Sittingbourne, now home to the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway.
The names of the locomotives, incidentally, came from 2 grades of paper made at Bowaters, older readers may remember when quality paper had watermarks.
The line around the zoo was originally built in 1970, and named the Whipsnade and Umfoozi Railway, just over a mile long, the journey takes just over 20min.
Other Locos on view are two diesel locomotives, “Victor” (originally “Wynnstay” of the Welshpool and Llanfair railway, No4060005) and “Hector” both made by Fowler in 1951.
The trip was a delight, especially as the rain had stopped, and we were sat immediately behind the loco.
After our trip, we wandered around the zoo, checking out the tigers, lions, meerkats, otters, and giraffes, until it was time to head back to the shuttle bus to return to the arena.
A final look round, then back to our bus for the journey home.
All in all, a great day out.
Hope you enjoy the pictures, and happy modelling.
Martin.