Scottish Industrial Railway Centre

Hands up if you love Thomas the Tank Engine! All of you in the yes camp, make your way to the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre: a railway museum in the heart of the Ayrshire countryside. The team of volunteers are on a mission to preserve the unique history of industrial steam and diesel locomotives - in fact, the centre is a living museum where relics are restored and given new life.

Take in a spot trainspotting including the last British engine shed built, the only working fireless locomotive in the country and tonnes of intriguing railway memorabilia. You can even take a ride on a Brake Van and be hauled along by one of their steam locomotives. Your train-obsessed tykes can explore the history of coal mining, iron smelting and railway transport, or learn while playing with a scaled down model railway.

You’ll even pick up some local lingo - want to know what ‘Pugs’ are? Pay them a visit and find out! Then polish your visit off with something tasty at the onsite café.