steve1 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 From Monday to Wednesday next week, 5th-7th June, I'm going to be in Sutton Coldfield while Jean is at a conference. Are there any good trainwatching spots within sensible driving distance, ie about 30 mins from SC station, that would be good for photting/watching the trains go by? Also, what about any recommendations for local model railway shops and real ale pubs? Cheers and thanks. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 There's Hobbyrail in Sutton Coldfield - Riland Road - B75 7AN. Previous thread gives its virrtues. - http://www.rmweb.co....tton-coldfiled/ http://www.ukmodelsh...hobbyrail.shtml for the listing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Cheers John. That looks like walking distance from the hotel. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
demufounder Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Are there any good trainwatching spots within sensible driving distance, ie about 30 mins from SC station, that would be good for photting/watching the trains go by? As you'll be near the Sutton Park line, Ryecroft Jn to Water Orton, give that a go. Here's a blog about that line Sutton Park line Or try either of end of that line, check these links to Trainspots for more info Water Orton Ryecroft Jn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 HobbyRail is the retailer of choice: knowledgable, friendly staff and a great range - traditional model shop, highly recommended (no connection other than satisfied local customer). Straying further afield on the train watching front (although Sutton Park is so beautiful you may not want to), Water Orton is a popular spot, where the junction of the Brum to Leicester and Derby lines can be viewed from the car park of The Dog Inn (nice selection of ale when last visited in 2006). Pubs, you're spoilt for choice. The Station is where its name suggests, manager Lola is a top lass and they keep the selection of guest beers extremely well. There's also a lavish beer garden at the back, from where the whine and warble of the passing class 323s can be enjoyed every three minutes in peak periods (there's no view of the railway from the pub). Local railway folklore has it that the original corner 'front' door has been sealed up since the pub was used as a temporary mortuary after the Sutton Coldfield train crash of 23rd January 1955. Further along is The Gate, at the traffic lights in the throat of the town, don't believe it's got any real beer, so turn left and make your way uphill and along High Street where The Three Tuns can be found. In the other direction, towards Birmingham there's the obligatory Wetherspoons (The Bottle of Sack), avoid The Litter Tray - sorry Litten Tree - and also the Cup and the ne'erdo-wells being ejected therefrom. Turning left at the RBS branch into Duke Street, and halfway down on the right is The Duke which has a selection of real ale although the landlord is an enthusiast of London prices. Most importantly, enjoy your stay! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Within easy walking distance of the centre of Sutton, you could visit one or more of the former station sites which kicked off my "Forgotten Railways of the Midlands" thread - the site of Sutton Park station, and the goodness-knows-how-it's-still-standing remains of Sutton Town, are both worth a stroll. Alternatively, on that them, you could just about reach either Hammerwich or Brownhills in 30 minutes, and explore the abandoned railways there. Then again, if you're willing to drive to Brownhills, why not pop into the Chasewater light railway? Another site, with slightly more up-to-date railways, and again only slightly stretching your 30-minute rule, would be Lichfield TV, an interesting-ish 2-level station, with bags of activity on the lower level. Actually, you could be in B'ham city centre in about 30 mins, and visit New St, Moor St or Snow Hill... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 So now, all us Suttonians would love to know: How did you get on? How was your stay? What was good, bad and indifferent in the neighbourhood? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Sorry for the delay in replying. As it happens, we only stayed the one day, Monday, in the end. The course wasn't what Jean was expected to it was mission aborted. What I saw of SC seemed very pleasant, if a bit heavy on the traffic. The blessed AA directions sent us to the back of the place we were trying to get to, New Hall Hotel, which was somewhat trying. Thankfully a local postie put us right, he said that satnavs did it too. We stayed overnight at the Travel Inn up the road from New Hall, which was fine. They had 3 handpumps too! Had a walk around in the evening sun. There was a pleasant park near a fairly new housing development. Thanks again for your help. If we go again I'll have some local knowledge now. Cheers steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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