Rhyl Miniature Railway facts for kids
Joan is one of the original Rhyl Engines
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Rhyl |
| Locale | Denbighshire, Wales  |
| Dates of operation | 1 May 1911– |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 15 in (381 mm) |
| Length | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
The Rhyl Miniature Railway is a fun, small train line in Rhyl, North Wales. It's also known by its Welsh name, Rheilffordd Fach y Rhyl. This special railway has a track that is 15 inches wide. It runs in a big circle around a boating lake. You can find it near the beach promenade, just west of the town centre. A group called the Rhyl Steam Preservation Trust runs the railway. They are a charity that helps keep this historic railway going.
Contents
History of the Rhyl Miniature Railway
Work on the Rhyl Miniature Railway started in December 1910. A railway expert named Henry Greenly surveyed the land. He was given permission to begin building in March 1911. The railway officially opened to the public on May 1, 1911. It was a big hit right from the start!
Early Days and New Engines
When it first opened, the railway used one special train. It was a Bassett-Lowke Class 10 Atlantic engine. This engine pulled six Bassett-Lowke carriages. In 1913, the railway decided to buy a second Class 10 engine. They also built fancy "cars de luxe" carriages in their own workshop.
By 1920, the railway was very popular. The two Class 10 engines were working very hard. They decided to get more powerful engines. This led to the creation of the first "Albion" locomotives. These new engines could handle more passengers during busy times.
Changes and Reopening
The railway faced a tough time in 1969. The company running it decided to focus on other attractions. They handed the Marine Lake area back to the local council in 1970. For a while, the railway tracks were removed.
But the story didn't end there! In 1978, new tracks were laid down. The railway started running trains again on July 1, 1978. It was a happy day for train fans!
In May 2007, a brand new main station building opened. This "central station" has a special room inside. It's called the Albert Barnes Room. Here, you can see the steam locomotive named "Billie" on display.
Locomotives of the Rhyl Miniature Railway
The Rhyl Miniature Railway has several interesting locomotives. A locomotive is the part of the train that provides the power to move it. Some are steam engines, while others use different types of power. Here are some of the trains you might see:
| Name | Number | Type | Built By | Year Built | Fun Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joan | 101 | 4-4-2 | Albert Barnes & Co | 1920 | This was the very first of six engines of its kind. It was designed by Henry Greenly. |
| Railway Queen | 102 | 4-4-2 | Albert Barnes & Co | 1921 | This engine used to work at another railway called Woodland Park. It was first named Michael. |
| Michael | 105 | 4-4-2 | Albert Barnes & Co | c1925 | This engine is now fully working and ready for rides! |
| Billy | 106 | 4-4-2 | Albert Barnes & Co | c1930 | You can see Billy on display in the Albert Barnes Room at the station. |
| Cagney44 | 44 | 4-4-0 | Cagney Brothers New York | c1910 | This is one of only a few working examples in the UK. It came to the UK in 1999 and was rebuilt. |
| Clara | 0-4-2 DH | Guest & Saunders Light Engineering | 1961 | Clara is a diesel engine that looks like a steam train. She worked at Dudley Zoo railway before coming to Rhyl in 1978. | |
| 2W-2-4BER | Hayne/Minirail | 1958 | This train car was changed to run on battery power in 1983. Before that, it was a regular coach. | ||
| 10498 | 4w DM | Lister | 1938 | This engine was changed from a 2-foot wide track to a 15-inch track. It arrived in Rhyl in 1999. | |
| Prince Edward of Wales | 4-4-2 | No.15 | 1909 | This was the very first engine the Rhyl Miniature Railway had! It was almost scrapped, but its important parts were saved. It has now been restored and is back at the railway. |
