Our Trip to Whistlestop Valley

Team EO were very excited to go on their very first school trip and despite the weather our spirits were not dampened. The children were very excited travelling to Whistlestop Valley – there was lots of discussion on the coach about familiar places and where the roads we were on took us!

Once there we enjoyed a quick snack in the café area before splitting to participate in our activities; park, miniature railway and the engine shed. In the engine shed we enjoyed learning about 'Fox' the narrow gauge steam engine and learnt that steam trains need coal to work. The lady showed us how the steam travels through the engine to make the wheel turn and we were all able to look inside and see what all the gauges and levers were for. 

Next, we headed back to the café picked up our dinners and boarded ‘Jay’ our diesel-engine train for the day. On our journey from Clayton West station to Shelley station we enjoyed working in our teams to complete our ‘I can spot…’ sheet. We also tried to identify the trees that run parallel to the train tracks by their leaves but this was rather tricky with the weather! When we arrived at Shelley station children were more than ready for their dinners and they eagerly tucked into them. After our dinner we watched the train get turned on the turn-table before boarding the train and returning to Clayton West.

Once back at Clayton West we had a spot of colouring before returning back to school. We are so very proud of the children and they should be very proud of themselves too!

Here is a selection of photos from our trip. We hope you enjoy looking at them.