Poole Park Railway

My relatives tell me that work has started on clearing and lifting the track.

 

Track all lifted and bed dug out to about 150mm deep and 1.5m wide. Area all fenced off. This was two weeks ago.

 

good news.be great to see it up and running again!

 

The future locomotive is a steam outline electric .

 

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19816273.poole-park-railway-will-open-2022/

 

https://bournemouthtoday.com/35973/

 

Track is being laid. Steel on plastic sleepers by the look. There is also a ballast wagon on the one length of track down so far. The new circuit is slightly shorter as the crossing of the path has been eliminated.

 

So we are safe to think that the gauge is going to be 10 1/4"?

 

Looks like it is 10 1/4, it is all fenced off. If out and about and passing tomorrow I will take a closer look. I will try and get a photo too.

 

Located the contractor's website. No mention of gauge, but as they're promising piccies down the line, url here:
https://track-systems-uk.co.uk/2021...ack-systems-uk-are-delighted-to-win-contract/

 

Picture taken today

 

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19946967.poole-park-railway-project-suffers-20-000-burglary/

 

Whatever was taken, let's hope it was 'smart watered' and they catch the thieves.

Encouraging to see the statement this theft won't stop progress.

 

Progress continues:

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/20004862.poole-park-railway-shed-installed-tracks-laid/

Not had chance to get down for a look myself for a while.

 

One day after this post the following was put on-line (although it doesn't take information on the re-opening, etc much [if any] further): https://pooleprojects.net/poole-park-railway/

 

The article below is not news! I spoke to the chaps who were removed the fencing onto the ballast wagon some weeks ago who told me this. It was suggested by them at the time the ex Wells Harbour Railway loco that is currently beong used as a works loco could be used in the interim.

The new track is of a very high weight for 10 1/4, uses plastic sleepers and looks superb. I did get a photo of the works but I can't get it to upload.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/20179530.project-bring-back-poole-park-railway-delayed/

 

Good news if track is finished. Not sure why sourcing a temporary 10 1/4 inch loco is proving such an issue.

As an example , Royal Victoria Railway have four operational diesels and three operational steam, with only an operational requirement for one loco at a time. You would have thought they, or another Railway in similar position , would be happy to help out and earn themselves some hire fees.

 

I suspect the suggesion that the council have difficulty finding a loco is the slant the echo has taken. The paper have always sided with the previous owner who ran it into the ground and would not replace the track themselves (they ran the next attraction they went to into the ground too, and their lease was not renewed!). I suspect that as the railway is being run by the council (who probably know nothing about railways) borrowing a loco from a private railway would not be an option, they may not even know where to ask. I am pretty certain that the contractors loco will be used.

 

They also seem quite keen on the idea of an electric one

 

Indeed, but if they want a temporary loco to get it up and running before their new loco arrives, then beggars can’t be choosers.

Good to see that progress is at last being made, and the reopening of the railway is in sight.