Kerr's Miniature Railway facts for kids
Kerr's Miniature Railway was a special small railway in Arbroath, Scotland. It was located in West Links Park, right next to the main Dundee-Aberdeen line. This railway had a track that was 10.25 inches wide, which is quite narrow! A full ride on the railway was about half a mile long, going there and back.
This miniature railway was very old. It first opened in 1935, making it the oldest miniature railway in Scotland. The railway was started by Matthew Kerr (senior). For many years, it was run as a regular business. Later, in 1979, his son, Matthew Kerr Jnr, took over. From then on, the railway was run as a non-profit project. This meant it focused on providing fun for people rather than making money.
Matthew Kerr Jnr passed away on April 17, 2006. After this, people wondered what would happen to the railway. But his wife and son, along with many helpful volunteers, kept the railway running. They wanted to continue the fun for everyone.
Contents
About the Trains and Rides
Kerr's Miniature Railway had a collection of six different trains. Two of these were steam engines, which are powered by steam, just like old-fashioned trains! These steam engines were built a long time ago, in the 1930s, by a person named Herbert Bullock.
Besides the trains, the railway also had three other small vehicles. These were two miniature buses and a miniature fire engine. Kids could enjoy rides on these special vehicles along the Arbroath seafront.
Tickets and Opening Times
In 2020, a ride on the railway cost £2.50 for both adults and children. The trains usually ran on weekends from April until the end of September. They also opened during the Easter and Summer school holidays. You could catch a ride between 11 AM and 4 PM on these days.
Railway's Future and Closure
In 2013, there were plans to make the railway track longer. This extension would have reached the entrance of West Links Park.
However, in August 2020, an announcement was made. The railway would close down in early October 2020. This decision was made because fewer people were visiting and riding the trains. Kerr's Miniature Railway officially closed for good on October 11, 2020.
Images for kids
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A tribute to Matthew Kerr at Arbroath railway station.
