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The Eastleigh Lakeside Railway is to pioneer Days out with Underground Ernie on behalf of the railway heritage movement. The 10" gauge miniature railway has constructed scale models of Jubilee and Ernie 1, which star in the popular, children's computer animated television series created by Joella Productions and regularly shown on the BBC CBeebies channel.

Ernie himself has been seconded for a weeklong shift on the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway from Saturday May 24 until Sunday, June 1, 2008. Ernie will be on duty from 10.30am to 16.15pm each day and will be making sure that Jubilee and Ernie 1 are behaving themselves! Ernie is also enthusiastic about meeting some different trains, which operate regularly on the 1-mile circuit at Lakeside Countryside Park close to Southampton Airport Parkway station and Southampton Airport.

In addition to train rides face painters and magic entertainers will be on hand to entertain the many young Underground Ernie fans. The site also has a comprehensive "Station Café" and a shop selling a wide range of Underground Ernie and associated railway merchandise.

John Deery of Joella Productions said today "we are delighted that the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway has come on board and will be hosting four Underground Ernie events this year. Children love trains and we know that children relate to the characters we have created for the first television series.

We recognise the importance of the heritage railway sector and its need to attract the next generation of enthusiasts, passengers and volunteers. This event is the first of its kind and is a major step in our journey to making Underground Ernie a truly international brand. We are sure many will be watching with interest to see how Ernie keeps the trains operating at Eastleigh".

Clive Upton, managing director of the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway said today "our children's based Days Out' events have been hugely popular over the years and the loss of them could have had a very serious effect on our future operations here. We therefore approached the licence holders of Underground Ernie who could have not been more helpful in enabling us to create an exciting new Days Out' opportunity. We have already been contacted by a number of colleagues in the heritage railway movement who are looking on with considerable interest to see how successful we can make this event. We are delighted that the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway has been chosen to pioneer the very first Underground Ernie event".

Children can enjoy a ride for £2.50 (Adults £3) on the line or three rides for £5.00 (£6.00 Adults) with children under two years old riding free.

Details on how to find the Eastleigh Lakeside Railway can be found at steamtrain.co.uk or by setting your satnav to SO50 5PE.

Ernie and his friends look forward to meeting you all at Eastleigh.

For more information about Underground Ernie visit: undergroundernie.com

1:07pm Saturday 24th May 2008

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