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| MRW Digest | 30 Nov 2007, 11:16 PM |
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 The Miniature Railway World Review of 2007 By Colin Peake with Peter Bryant, David Colley, Anthony Coulls, Tim Dunn, Craig Gluyas and Dom Greenop Looking back at 2007 it has been a year of overall progress in the world of miniature railways, although sadly there have been one or two sad loses of both lines and personalities through he year. I have been lucky enough to see a few projects at close quarters during 2007, those that spring immediately to mind are the extension of the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway and the handover of Scarborough's North Bay Railway to it’s new operating company. The North Bay Railway Company were granted a temporary license to operate the railway late in 2006, quickly moving extra locomotives to the line and operating weekend trains throughout the Winter. In March came the announcement that the company had secured a 10 year lease of the railway and were to implement a series of expansion plans and improvements. On the 30th of the month I attended a handover ceremony took place at Peasholme Park station, in front of BBC cameras, civic dignitaries and assorted locals and enthusiasts. The third historic Hudswell Clark Pacific brought to the line by the new operators was named Poseidon to tie in with the existing Triton and Neptune.  The BBC's Harry Gration reports from the NBR, 30th March (Colin Peake) Moving down the coast to Cleethorpes, MRW Forum members watched with interest over the first months of the year as Dave Enefer's regularly updated website showed progress on the CCLR southern extension to North Sea Lane, which was miniature railway construction on a grand scale. I visited the line myself several times over the year to see the work progress, but it was to be May before the extension opened. The vast difference it has made to the railway is immediately obvious, the line serving a useful transport purpose between the holiday parks and the town, whilst gala days have taken on a new dimension. The view over the mouth of the Humber from North Sea Lane station on a clear day is stunning, a deceptively peaceful scene whilst behind you are the bustling leisure parks.  The View from North Sea Lane Station on the CCLR (Colin Peake) Miniature Railway World has grown as a website and forum during 2007, webmaster Peter Bryant describes it as a year packed full of miniature railways: "I have never been to so many miniature railways and met so many miniature railway people! Through various discussion forums, new friends and societies I've joined this year, I've been able to keep track of what's on and been able to get to some major events, for instance the opening of the new station at Rhyl and the Galas at Cleethorpes, Sherwood Forest and Kirklees. In total, I think (I may have forgotten some) that I have visited 24 miniature railways this year, 16 of which are new. These have either been through ‘5 miniature railways in a day’ trips, or a visit to a Gala.  One of Peter's 24 railways visited in 2007, Bridgemere Garden Centre (Peter Bryant) There are numerous moments I could highlight from this year which I have thoroughly enjoyed, but in particular my work experience at Kirklees Light Railway. It was different for me to see happenings behind-the-scenes and get hands on doing activities, rather than just taking photos and having rides. I am also happy to say it has been a very successful year for the MRW site. The main site has been redeveloped, and hopefully by Christmas the Index of Miniature Railways will be complete (after 5 years!). The forum has also been a huge success and through it, some very interesting and fun discussions have been had."  Late in the season, Ivor operating at Shibden Park, Halifax (Peter Bryant) There has been a definite feeling of community amongst Miniature Railway World members throughout the year at various events. David Colley of the Sherwood Forest Railway describes the past year as a very busy one: "We started with a working expedition down to Rhyl to give Simon and his gang of dedicated volunteers a hand. A very good weekend, with lots of progress made in the preparations for the grand opening of the new engine shed and workshop. We managed to attend the grand opening ceremony with Pet, following a repaint to get her looking fresh and more in keeping with the RMR livery. This was a great honour to be allowed to participate with such a prestigious event on a line steeped with history. Following this, we joined Austin Moss up at Windmill Farm to join in with his tenth year celebrations, another great weekend with lot's of running alongside historical locomotives and rolling stock. The highlight for me personally was the trip up to the Kirklees Light Railway. The 7 mile return trip with Smokey Joe was one never to be forgotten, and once again, the scale and size difference was really highlighted when Smokey was parked next to Hawk. To say all this was fitted in between our annual Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway visits is somewhat a miracle. It is always difficult to try and have the steam locos in pristine condition when you are a small railway, and usually something will fail just when you don't want it to and also the logistics get quite complex when you seem to be somewhere different every other week.  Smokey Joe at Shelley on the KLR, halfway through the round trip of 7 miles (David Colley) The volunteers at our railway were, as usual, absolutely fantastic and assisted in the running both at home and away. The work of the volunteers never goes un-noticed and we are always eternally grateful. All in all, a brilliant year with lots of new friends made, and old friendships strengthened. The railway has run well, progress made all over and new stock acquired from the closed line at Brocklands. We're looking forward to next year and if it is only half as exciting and fruitful as the one that has just passed, we'll be very happy." Attending many of the same events was Craig Gluyas: "2007 can only be broken down into 3 months of madness – May, June and September. May started the ball rolling with galas at Cleethorpes, Rhyl and then our own at Windmill Farm. The co-ordination between the lines was excellent; locos went from one to another with precise planning. Cleethorpes gave a taste of what to expect with the extension, Rhyl had the new station building, and we ran 3 trains passing at the loop for the first time at Windmill Farm. September heralded the Cleethorpes and Kirklees galas. The former operating over the new extension ran with no problems. Driving Red Dragon on the Saturday up the drag with steam coming from everywhere but the chimney was an experience not to be missed. The extreme laid back driving of Mountaineer on the Sunday was a total opposite, but one not to be missed! The next weekend was the unique experience of Kirklees. I turned up in a civilian role, but was quickly told to get my overalls on. After being invited to take No 24 on the 1:00 (which I had to think about!) I was told the loco was mine for the afternoon! Then came the best experience of the year – the Shelley or Bust run. Driving No 24, handling the braking for the train and being the only person to see Mountaineer waddling in front was an experience I'll never forget. And don’t even talk about the tunnel – my ears still haven’t recovered! So, in short a good year, enhanced further by meeting many new friends from this site." Dom Greenop agrees that 2007 has been a very busy year in miniature railway circles. "A bumper year of galas, several new lines opening (Hotham Park to name but one), new items of infrastructure to improve facilities (the new station at Rhyl), though this has been marred with a few lines closing (including Dobwalls and Brocklands). My own personal concern, the Dragon Miniature Railway, has also made great progress during the course of 2007. Carrying on from the exceedingly successful 2006 season, the DMR successfully held its first gala, has seen the construction and commissioning of a Drive-Your-Own tram, new coaches, opening of the picnic area, and despite the bad weather, seen great increases in general passenger numbers. More of this is planned with the hope of further enhancing the experience for our passengers.  D1015 Western Champion unloads passengers for the picnic area at the Dragon Miniature Railway on July 29th (Dom Greenop) My visits this year to other miniature railways have not been particularly varied or frequent, but everywhere I have been I have been impressed with progress and the operation of the railway. The Buckfastleigh Miniature Railway, after an extended period of stagnation, is making great progress on its new station and is also replacing the old aluminium rail with second-hand steel rail from Dobwalls. The East Somerset Society of Model and Experimental Engineers have also extended their line and had an exceedingly successful year.  Track upgrades in progress at the Buckfastleigh Miniature Railway, October 20th (Dom Greenop) However, complacency must not raise its head. The drive to continue this progress needs to stay alive, otherwise it will lead to decline, and this will undo all the work that goes on behind the scenes, frequently without the public’s knowledge." Another member heavily involved in running a railway is Tim Dunn: "2007 was supposed to be the year of consolidation at Bekonscot Model Village. Unsurprisingly, our enthusiasm overtook us once again. The past twelve months has seen the construction of a new Bo-Bo sit-inside loco, the acquisition of 60 ft of Mardyke 125 HST and the purchase of our first steam loco. The extra stock followed the relaying of our main circuit and extension with heavier track due to the unexpected high use of the line. It seems the public’s demand for riding on tiny trains is insatiable – providing they get value for money and a pleasant environment. What beckons for 2008? Those loco projects should be finished, our landscaping will be complete and full signalling installed. As the spam emails always tell me: If it’s a short one, you’ve got to make more effort to keep them happy...  Tim's Mardyke 125 at Beckonscot during a test run (Tim Dunn) This was also the first year that I’ve taken a real participating interest in miniature railways. My main interest will always be the model villages – but somehow the two worlds always seem to collide. If there’s a model village then there's bound to be a miniature railway not too far distant. Rather than passively reading about them or playing about with our own short commercial line, we've made an active effort to get involved. Aside from our memberships of various societies, we also joined BGLR, which has been a brilliant organisation to join. I urge any other operators to do the same. We’ve made some great friends and learned so much as a result. Hopefully, others have gained from our participation too. Getting Involved with other MRs has meant driver training at RHDR, plus visits to Haigh Hall, Great Cockrow, Hastings, Quainton, Evesham Vale, Swanley, Royal Victoria, Eastleigh, Watford, Moors Valley, Cleethorpes, Strand, Betws-y-Coed, Birchley, Catalunya, and that 2ft gauge 'miniature' line at the Pallot museum on Jersey. I’ve learned a lot. And there’s so much more to learn. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in 2007 is that the miniature railway world is full of really great fun people – get out there and enjoy miniature railways with them." The miniature railway world sadly lost one great individual during 2007, described as "a year of ups downs" by Anthony Coulls, "My personal downs were the sad passing of Robin Butterell in May, I only regret not having known him better, but he was always the perfect gentleman on our nodding acquaintance, and not having enough time to devote to my interest in miniature railways. The highlights from the miniature point of view has been seeing the forum grow and become alive, plus being able to be present at the opening of the new Echills Wood Railway at Kingsbury Water Park in Warwickshire after the traumatic upheaval and relocation for Stoneleigh. The sight of nearly 40 locos in the cavalcade was amazing and to see and to ride on so many packed double headers was a fantastic experience. It has also been a continued privilege to have Darrroch's 9 1/2inch gauge Webb Compound Orion in my professional care and also have the occasional steaming with it! As for the future - I am very excited at the prospect of a Museum of Miniature Railways taking shape during 2008 and perhaps being able to enjoy a few more lines with my family as the year progresses."  David Walters on Rough Pup and Colin Gaskins on Bluebell driving one of the heavily loaded opening day specials at Echills Wood in July 2007 (Anthony Coulls) So can 2008 top 2007 as a year of progress? Looking ahead, clues for several potential new lines have already been revealed. At Dobwalls it became clear as the year went by that although the Rio Grande route would not be retained as had been hoped, there is the glimmer of hope of a railway of some sort on the site in the future. However it will not be on the scale of previous routes. Back in February Heritage Railway magazine revealed the possibility of a new miniature line at Dudley Zoo, known for many years for a 15” gauge line. Although the masterplan for the site mentions a miniature line nothing more is known at this stage. March saw news on the internet of a line projected for the parkland around Holyhead Breakwater, with an extension along the breakwater in the future. Also in March The Railway Magazine included details of a scheme for a new 12 ¼“ gauge line to be supplied with an Exmoor locomotive and stock. By June it was revealed to be Joe Nemeth, upping gauge (again!) and building at Tintern station on an abandoned standard gauge trackbed. An eagle eyed MRW Forum member made a very interesting sighting in May at TwinLakes Park near Melton Mowbray, the stock and track of the now closed American Adventure theme park’s 15” gauge railway stacked up ready for re-use. As yet nothing is known about this project but it will no doubt be watched with interest. From all the Miniature Railway World Team of Administrators and Moderators, we hope you enjoyed 2007, here's to 2008! Edited 13/12/2007 - Our apologies to the contributors and publishers of The Railway Magazine for crediting one of their competetors with the scoop on the Tintern story in March. The Railway Magazine carries a miniature railway column on a quaterly basis in it's January, April, July and October issues. Miniature Railway World Forum members may respond to this Digest entry with their memories of 2007, however all replies are moderated and will only appear once approved by a team member. |
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Miniature Railway World Digest Edited by Colin Peake | |
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| Miniature Railway World Review of 2007 · Miniature Railway World Digest | |
3:06 PM Nov 27
