Competition weekend: 27 June-29 June 2020 (spectator days)
Getting to the event
Location
Stapleford Miniature Railway (SMR) near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
SMR is a private railway; the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has obtained permission to run this event from the SMR Trustees.
Site plans
View and download site plans for Stapleford Miniature Railway
Directions
The event takes place at SMR, Stapleford, Leicestershire. SMR's postcode for satnavs is LE14 2SF. Please note there is also Stapleford in Nottinghamshire.
Route
- Down Stapleford Lane towards Stapleford Hall off the B676 Melton to Saxby Road.
- Continue over the railway bridge and carry on into a single carriageway with passing places.
- Continue over the humpback bridge and past the old farmhouses on your left. The main entrance to the field is the double gates on the left hand side.
- Please note: the railway cannot be accessed from Stapleford Hall (the hotel).
Parking
Parking is available on site. Once through the gates, continue up the track and park on the grass on the left hand side of the marquee to load/unload. Then return back to the demarcated parking area.
Tickets
Spectators are welcome to attend the Railway Challenge on Saturday 27 June and Sunday 28 June.
Free tickets or tickets by donationwill be available from april 2020.
On arrival
You will need to collect your spectator badge and sign in with IMechE staff who will be situated in the marquee near the Station building. Please make sure you bring a printed copy of your ticket with you or show the ticket on your mobile device.
Catering
Spectators will be able to purchase hot beverages and snacks from the catering van on site between 08.00 and 16.00 on both days.
No complimentary catering will be provided by the IMechE.
The caterers accept cash payments only.
The catering van will be situated by the station building and the coffee shop van will serve drinks and snacks at the Haven on Saturday and Sunday.
Team information
Accommodation
Teams will be able to camp onsite during the duration of the Railway Challenge. Camping is allocated in the far side of the field opposite the Station House (see map). Teams can arrive on site on Thursday 27 June. Please be advised that unloading of the locos will take place between 4pm to 7pm on Thursday, 27 June.
Shower and toilets facilities will be available on site.
- During the event: please respect Stapleford Miniature Railway by using all bins provided and ensure you clean up as you go along (wires, testing materials)
- Post event: please take all your belongings with you and leave nothing on site.
Registration
On arrival, collect your participant badge and high-visible jacket and sign in with IMechE staff who will be situated in the marquee near the Station building.
Catering
Hot beverages and snacks will be available from the catering van on site between 8am and 4pm on all three event days.
- Friday to Sunday: catering van will serve food and drinks by the station building
- Saturday and Sunday: coffee shop van will serve drinks and snacks at the Haven.
Complimentary catering will be provided by the IMechE on Saturday evening - pizza and quiz, provided by our Young Members.
Railway Challenge drugs and alcohol policy
In line with Industry standards and rules regarding drugs and alcohol, no person is permitted to be within the railway environment after consuming any substances – legal or otherwise. This is a zero tolerance policy. If you are planning on working on your locomotive at any point, please keep this in mind, and conduct yourselves accordingly.
Anybody suspected to be under the influence of any drugs or alcohol within the railway environment will be removed from the railway environment and may be required to leave the site entirely for the remainder of the Challenge weekend.
Medical
A fully-equipped ambulance and medical representative are available onsite.