Poole Park Railway

The plot, it appears, thickens: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15275948.When_WILL_Poole_Park_s_miniature_railway_re_open_/
No idea what truth of all this is.

 

From what I have been told this evening from a reliable source the truth is rather different, and a lot more positive, than the news report suggests. This does not surprise me!

 

More good news: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/ne..._railway_back_on_track_for_summer_re_opening/

FOPP are looking for volunteers to help replace the track and anyone with knowledge of miniature railways to come and help. The extension plans I have been told the details of and will allow larger stock to be run as it will do away with the bridge which is shared with the public. It has been suggested to FOPP that they dual gauge it (7.25") which I think they will consider. This will, of course, open up the option of visiting locos. I am hoping to get actively involved in helping them.

 

It seems to me that most miniature railways are run by enthusiasts these days so the news sounds promising.

Some certainly have been run by 'showmen' such as the one at Clevedon.

 

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/ne..._railway_back_on_track_for_summer_re_opening/

 

Popped into the park yesterday (there are lots and lots of goslings!). There are notices up from FOPP announcing their intentions and promising a new website. Looks very promising. I also noticed that the area where the previous operator had his electric go carts has been cleared. Had a look at the track. It is hard to see as much of it is buried, however some sections do look very worn and rusted, others not so bad.

 

Hoped for opening in July:
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/ne...to_open_next_month_as_first_carriages_arrive/

 

reopening on the 22nd of July. I wish them all the best https://pooleparkrailway.org/news-events/

 

Will the Exmoor steam loco return? Or are there any plans for steam motive power?

 

Well, I walked it on Sunday with my sons, the buildings have been painted & there is evidence of some work to the track. Roll on next weekend...........

 

The Exmoor steam loco is still owned by the previous operator (despite most of it being paid for by public donation and fund raising). It was not offered to FOPP and is (I believe) needing some sort of repair or a new ticket, either way it has not run for two years. There is a desire to bring back steam and now that the park has got its lottery grant maybe they will replace the line with dual gauge which will open up the possibilities of a lot more visiting locos.

 

Up-to-date news appears on: https://www.facebook.com/pooleparkrailway.org/

 

Great to see the line back 'in the land of the living'. Was that light blue loco the one which used to run at Weston-Super-Mare?

 

Went today and was made very welcome, trains are currently running clockwise rather than anti clockwise as in the past - this means a steep climb to the station.

They want an oversize PECO Track Rubber to clean the rails and improve adhesion

 

Hello, spent the day with the Friends of Poole Park Railway volunteers sorting out one of the many permanent ways issues. Had a go at driving the steam outline locomotive. A lot of interesting times ahead.........will upload some photographs of today's activities tomorrow.......

NB

 

some photos of the check rail being fitted...................

 

Today the Steam out line locomotive has a fire in the firebox and some water in the boiler..............

 

@nick813 Not sure I've ever seen check rails on a 101/4" gauge line before. How tight is that curve?

Love the steam effect btw!

 

The track is in need of TLC at a lot of places. The check rail is there to prevent derailment....the levels are all over the place. We lifted some of the rh side track to fix a dip....caused by the Oak Tree.....I think if money was not a problem then the whole lot could be lifted and the track bed improved over the whole lenght of railway. There are plans to relay some track on what is called Whitecliff bend....plus a possible future extension which would enable covered coaching stock which would mean running trains no matter what the weather. Lot of interesting projects on the horizon.Volunteers are welcome....
Operating a steam locomotive is a couple of years away at present.

Yes the steam/ smoke effect attracted a lot of attention....will be used on the Haloween and Christmas specials.

Nick

 

Web site can be found here:

https://pooleparkrailway.org