Poole Park Railway

But not every year is a 70th anniversary year.

 

That is the one!

 

I could ask my wife to remind them annually (She is good at doing that )

 

Most women are. It is men who forget birthdays and anniversaries - often to their regret.

 

Allegedly Track Systems UK have the contract to rebuild and it will be 12 1/4" gauge.

 

Presumably this company - https://www.track-systems-uk.co.uk/
If you are right in the re-gauging I guess a 2" increase will not cause problems. The current track layout does not appear to have any particularly sharp curves.

 

The railway was several sharp curves. Also there is an oak tree that is leaning in on the track.......just before the bridge over the fresh water lake. The bridge itself would be that much tighter to cross. The shed is to small for 12 1/4. In all my correspondence with a variety of interested concerns, this new gauge has not been mentioned.

 

Well, 12 1/4" is a serious step on from 10 1/4", offers much better stability, especially if you want to offer covered and disabled accessible passenger accommodation. It is a better all round proposition for a public railway where hyperactive bouncing lunatic pygmies high on cornetto (such as my kids) are a daily operating hazard.
It seems that Poole Park Railway can expect (surprisingly?) high passenger numbers, so it could well be viable and prudent to have a large, robust and reliable in steam. It is not like a marginal 7 1/4" gauge line, where you could leave a Tinkerbelle on simmer as it will raise steam in 15 minutes should any passengers actually turn up. There's some really fine 12 1/4" locomotives around, Stirlands and the like, which are hardly more costly to purchase or operate than a decent 7.25" but with considerably more "real thing" presence and earning potential.
I hope they consider planning sufficient accommodation for guest locomotives- summer galas could be a considerable draw.

 

I was under the impression that the bridge was the tight spot as it restricts the loading gauge possible and this was to be resolved under the old regime. I would have thought there was no need to change the gauge. Wells and Walshingham is 10.25 and they have pretty wide stock that is sit in. Track systems seem to be new players, I would have expected Allan Keef or another of the better known names.

 

There again, you actually know the railway-my previous optimism about a gauge change is squashed

 

Moors Valley Railway Ross? There are a lot more 7.25 locos around to visit than 10.25 never mind 12.5. The only 12.5 railway locally is Exbury and I suspect their locos are too busy to be loaned.

 

I'm inclined to say that 7 1/4" lines are ten-a-penny, But Moors Valley is a draw in its own right. 2000 yds of run, 20 locomotives with at least 3 or 4 in steam, attractive setting and great supporting attractions. One would have to invest a mint of money to rival MVR, and as Jim Haylock is one of the major suppliers of locos and stock, what would be the point.
Many 10 1/4" lines are "scale model" type, which whilst excellent in many ways, has many shortcomings as a public park attraction. A powerful scale locomotive is necessarily complicated and expensive, and rolling stock less stable.
For a gala I was thinking more of bringing some gems from Fairbourne or Exmoor that would be rare, unusual and have enough wow appeal to bring people in-but you are quite right, theres an awful lot more 10 1/4" locomotives to choose from

 

The point I was trying to make was about loading gauge and width of stock. MVR is 7.25 and runs locos that are 750mm wide. With 10.25 you can have even wider stock that should support a wheelchair (I thing pecorama have wheel chair carriages on their 7.25) no problem. I believe Jim Haylock did have a look at PPR when it first came up for lease. It was also suggested to the council at that time by one or two people that it be dual gauge so that ME club members could bring their locos to bring an occasional steam presence.

PPR is a circle of track around a lake with one point to the engine shed, no passing loop and as it is unfenced trains have to run a less than a brisk walking pace. Whilst it would be nice to have visiting locos the railway will also be council run and they need to make their loan repayments from kiddies train rides first so I cannot see them being that interested in the cost and hassle of doing a gala event. I am not sure that the Fairbourne stuff would get around the curves assuming it would be relayed on the same formation it is now.

What ever happens at least it is not lost.

 

Chris Phillimore is a name that I recognise. I think he used to be involved (possibly as a consultant) with the Glyn Valley Tramway through his company, Thirty Inch Railways Ltd. I think he owns/used to own a 2'6" loco La Meuse, now at Statfold.

Apologies to Mr Phillimore if I have got any of that wrong

Keith

 

I meant the company as I have never heard of it, but they have been around since 2014 so shows I know very little about these things. The name Chris Phillimore did sound familiar to me but I have no idea where I had heard it before, may have been an article I read about the loco La Meuse some years ago in that case. The photos on their website, some of them, I am fairly certain, are of Statfold.

As I said before, whoever builds it and it what ever gauge it is better than losing it.

 

Been to have a look today, still nothing happening. Supposed to be open by Easter.......

 

Which Easter?

 

Chris Phillimore ran the 12-1/4" gauge line at Littlehampton for a while, and hired the Darjeeling tank Sherpa from Fairbourne to run there for a short spell, so he is familiar with 12-1/4" gauge. I haven't seen the curves at Poole Park but Sherpa has been round some pretty tight curves in its time! If they are looking to hire something, the Fairbourne's o-4-o diesel Gwyril would seem to be a better option.

 

Hello,
some useful info regarding PPRy.
12 1/4 gauge is being considered.......the bridge will have to be modified and the track slewed from the tree overhang. It is all going ahead, hopefully for the summer season.

 

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/n...ng-derailed-for-poole-park-miniature-railway/

Well thats (not) a surprise!