Poole Park Railway facts for kids
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Poole Park, Dorset, England |
| Dates of operation | 1949– |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 10 1⁄4 in (260 mm) |
| Length | 640 metres (700 yd) |
| Other | |
| Website | http://www.pooleparkrailway.org |
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The Poole Park Railway is a fun miniature railway located in Poole Park in Poole, Dorset, England. It offers great views of the park as it travels along its route. The railway uses a popular track size of 10 1⁄4 in (260 mm). You can ride it every weekend throughout the year and during all school holidays, making it a popular attraction for families.
Contents
History of the Poole Park Railway
The Poole Park Railway first opened in 1949. It was started by a company called Southern Miniature Railways Ltd. This company also ran other miniature railways in places like Stokes Bay, Bognor Regis, and Southsea. Out of all their railways, the one in Poole Park is the only one still running today.
Early Locomotives and Changes
When the railway first opened, a special 4-4-2 steam locomotive named "Vanguard" was used every day until 1965. It was still used sometimes until 1970. After 1970, the railway started using two diesel-style locomotives. These engines were first powered by Ford Sidevalve engines, and later by diesel engines.
Steam trains made a short return in the 1990s. An engine called Arthur was often used on Saturdays, but it was sold in 1997.
New Operators and Challenges
On June 2, 2005, Chris Bullen took over the railway. He was the third operator to run the railway since it began in 1949.
In 2017, the Poole Borough Council decided to end their agreement with Chris Bullen. They initially asked for the railway track to be removed. However, after many people in the public and media expressed concern, the council decided the track could stay while they looked for a new operator. A petition was even started online to help save the historic track.
The Railway's Future
In July 2017, the railway was given to the Friends of Poole Park, which is a charity. They were given permission to operate the railway for 30 years.
However, there were some challenges with the management of the railway. In April 2018, two of the three directors of the railway's operating company resigned. Many volunteers who helped run and maintain the railway also decided to leave. Because of these issues, and after a minor incident in May 2018, the Borough of Poole council decided that the operating company could not safely run the railway. So, their agreement was ended in July 2018.
Now, the BCP council has received money from the Parks Foundation and added some of its own funds. This is to make sure the mini railway can open again. It is hoped that the railway will be open for everyone to enjoy once more in 2021.
