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Ruislip Lido

Discussion in 'Miniature Railways' started by ross, Jul 23, 2017.

  1. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    When I was a kid there was a rather tatty miniature railway at Ruislip Lido. When I was about 12 I made the long(seemed like it) bike ride over there and was disappointed to find a 10 1/4" diesel outline (severn Lamb?) train on a 400 yd loop in the trees.

    I went back in about '98 and what a transformation! New operator. New gauge 12", I think. P-way that was better than the main line, and about a mile longer than before and a live steam model of one of the big Ffestiniog Hunslets.

    I looked at the website recently, and there's no information about steam trains. Anyone know what the situation is? I thought I might take my boy when I'm in Uxbridge next weekend, but it'll be a long day for a little lad(and for me)
     
  2. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

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    I've often thought about visiting this railway. From their website it seems they only have one steam loco, the half-size replica of the FR's Hunslet Blanche.
    There's a small note on the home page which shows when their steam loco will be next in service, but there's no date given, so it's a pretty good guess that if you go next weekend you'll get a diesel. :(
     
  3. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    That's the thing-I'd not get out of bed for a diesel
     
  4. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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  5. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    Reply from the railway:

    "Bess is having her annual boiler wash out at the moment. Should be back in steam around September.

    Thanks

    Matt

    Ruislip Lido Railway"


    Seems a pity-I'd have thought that the summer holidays might be the best earning period for the line.
     
  6. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Wasn't A Night to Remember filmed on the lake? Pity you cant swim there now
     
  7. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    If you're going on a Sunday, I'd head here http://www.hwsme.org/

    Much more fun & you avoid the nightmare of having to get in or out of the Lido, especially this time of year!

    As for Mad Bess, a, its an oil burner & b, it is only allowed out so many times a year due to the woods being protected & also I suspect there aren't enough folk passed to drive her......
     
  8. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    I used to volunteer on the RLR (note my profile picture!) until I left the area and unless things have changed, there's no restriction on Bess's operation due to the woodlands - it's simply a case of money and volunteers.

    She's a lot more expensive to run than the diesels, and the railway has a captive market in families using the beach, so using steam does little to attract extra custom. Also, most of the volunteers who run the railway - and it is an all-volunteer operation by the way! - aren't particularly steam enthusiasts. So it's the usual message - if you want to see her used more, go and volunteer!

    Nevertheless, the usual pattern when I was there was to run her on Sundays and Bank Holidays from (I think) March - October, subject to mechanical failures and crew availability. I'd really recommend making the effort to go and see her - yes, it is a little frustrating that she doesn't come out more often but when she does, you'll find that she's a lovely engine, running in a lovely setting. And if you are worried about driving to the Lido, just go by train - there are buses from Ruislip station.
     
  9. Paul.Uni

    Paul.Uni Well-Known Member

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  10. 5801

    5801 Member

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    Same gauge (it's always been 12"), and the original loco (Robert) is still around.
     

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