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.
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.
Team information
Team accommodation
Teams will be able to camp onsite during the duration of the Railway Challenge 2024, under the supervision of the Friends of Stapleford Miniature Railway (FSMR) team. Camping is allocated in the far side of the field opposite the Station House (see map).
Please be advised that all teams must arrive by 14:00 on Thursday 27 June for unloading of the locos, to which you can also start setting up your camp. Further details to follow regarding the event operations schedule.
Shower and toilets facilities will be available on site, but you will have to source all other supplies yourself. Please email railway.challenge@imeche.org to inform us whether you are bringing your own kitchen set for camping. Please note that the generator (for the showers etc.) will be turned off after 11pm and turned on from 07:00.
There will be no access to power from the campsite, but the marquee will remain open overnight with access to standard power supply to charge your phones etc.
Food and drinks can be purchased from the catering van onsite between 08:00 and 16:00 from Friday to Sunday.
- During the event: please respect site tidiness at 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.
Site access
The main gates to the Stapleford Miniature Railway will be open from 07:00 to 00:00 during the competition weekend.
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 is available onsite.