Chessington Zoo

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Chessington Zoo
Topic Started: 9 May 2008, 03:45 PM (844 Views)
davidgwr	9 May 2008, 03:45 PM Post #1
Guard Posts: 124 Group: Member Member #725 Joined: May 7, 2008	Does anyone have any info on the history of the miniature railway at Chessington Zoo - I know it was 12" gauge and was operated by 2 petrol locos with outlines based on the GWR Dukedogs.



colinpeake	9 May 2008, 03:53 PM Post #2
MRW Digest Editor Posts: 1,659 Group: MRMT Trustees Member #6 Joined: August 15, 2006	David, there have been articles in both the Heywood Journal and The Narrow Gauge on the Chessington line, I will seek out the references if no-one beats me too it! olin
	Colin Peake MRW Digest Editor Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photos


robgolding96	27 May 2008, 09:49 PM Post #3
Porter Posts: 20 Group: Member Member #744 Joined: May 12, 2008	Hello All, Ive found some pictures i took back in 1997 of what was left of the old railway at Chessington. I believe this was probobly the 'Rocket Railway'. I also have some info on both the Rocket Railway and the Miniature railway in 'The Light Railway Guide and Timetables 1973'. Send me a PM if anyones interested and i can scan it for you! There is also info in the Surrey Narrow Gauge book (middleton press). Happy days! Rob



colinpeake	27 May 2008, 10:28 PM Post #4
MRW Digest Editor Posts: 1,659 Group: MRMT Trustees Member #6 Joined: August 15, 2006	As well as the original 12" line and the 'Rocket' line, there was a later 2ft line using Chance 'CP Huntingdon' locos. I believe that is what can be seen in those pictures. I'm sure Peter Scott can confirm which line was which. The later line broadly followed the course of the 12" line IIRC. Colin
	Colin Peake MRW Digest Editor Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photos


P Scott	28 May 2008, 07:43 PM Post #5
Cleaner Posts: 162 Group: Friends of MRMT Member #60 Joined: November 24, 2006	Rob's photos show the dismantled 2ft gauge railway. The 12" gauge railway opened as far back as 1932 (replacing a 2ft gauge line operated by steam) and closed at the end of the 1984 season, when it was replaced by a 2ft gauge line - and as Colin says - the new 2ft gauge line was broadly over the alignment of the 12" gauge line. [That sounds a little confusing, hope it makes sense!] The 2ft gauge railway closed at the end of the 1996 season (I have the date of 03/11/1996 recorded). This railway was operated by Chance 4-2-4 "CP Huntington" locomotives. I have no dates to hand for the Rocket Railway - but it was gone by 1988 at the latest. The loco still operates on a private railway at the rear of Glendale Forge at Thaxted. Peter S. Source: Personal Records and research i/c/w Paignton Zoo book.



MuzTrem	28 May 2008, 08:25 PM Post #6
Operations Manager Posts: 921 Group: Friends of MRMT Member #65 Joined: December 5, 2006	P Scott May 28 2008, 06:43 PM (replacing a 2ft gauge line operated by steam) Very interesting...anyone know what kind of steam?



P Scott	1 Jun 2008, 02:13 PM Post #7
Cleaner Posts: 162 Group: Friends of MRMT Member #60 Joined: November 24, 2006	A Bagnall - works Number 1728 of 1903, named "Burnt Stub". Peter S. Source: Industrial Railway Record No.76 April 1978 page195.



robgolding96	12 Jun 2008, 10:14 PM Post #8
Porter Posts: 20 Group: Member Member #744 Joined: May 12, 2008	I found this picture in The Light Railway Guide and Timetables 1973. (edited by Robert L. Eastleigh and A. J. Cheeseman) The picture is credited to Robert L. Eastleigh. There is a bit of info too- The line was worked by 2 petrol driven steam outline locos built by Barnard & Co of Norwich. No. 1 is 'Princess Margaret' and No. 2 is 'Queen Elizabeth'. Rolling stock comprised of six open bogie coaches, three on each train. Line dates from 1937, 925yrds long. Hope this info helps! Rob



Timbo	12 Jun 2008, 10:35 PM Post #9
Timbo Posts: 1,371 Group: Moderators Member #53 Joined: October 24, 2006	There is also a collection of photos and research in one of the NGRS "The Narrow Gauge" editions entitled "The Pretenders" - I forget which part. I don't have access to my set at the mo - can anyone find out which edition it is? The pics are of the GWR Dukedogs and the locos that they replaced, which were a variety of locally-built monstrosities (but fun all the same). The two 12" gauge Dukedogs are extant on a private line in Surrey, with track from Chessington too. There are open days but I forget its name. The owner is Ken Bean. The Rocket and the Dukedogs were mentioned in the most recent edition of the Heywood Journal, showing Rocket on its viaduct at Thaxted. i'm sure someone recently suggested on these forums that one of the Dukedogs should visit Ruislip Lido, one of the few 12" outposts! (The only other one to mind is the short line around the playground at Anglesey Model Village, Wales). Edited by Timbo, 12 Jun 2008, 10:38 PM.
	Tim Dunn MRW Moderator www.bekonscot.com www.meteorite.co.uk


MuzTrem	13 Jun 2008, 06:51 PM Post #10
Operations Manager Posts: 921 Group: Friends of MRMT Member #65 Joined: December 5, 2006	Well, I'd be up for seeing them visit Ruislip...our board probably wouldn't Incidentally, No. 1 Queen Elizabeth was loaned to the Littlehampton Miniature Railway for the 1986 season, just after the Chessington line closed. There is a photo of her on the back cover of Simms' book on Littlehampton; by that time she had acquired a pair of rather large nameplates.



glastonrail	13 Jun 2008, 06:57 PM Post #11
Dommo Posts: 2,373 Group: Member Member #85 Joined: January 7, 2007	robgolding96 12 Jun 2008, 10:14 PM Rather Thomas-like (the TV show engines) in appearance and body styling, don't you think... ...? Dom
	"There's no such thing as sanity, and that's the sanest fact" M. Knopfler, 1985 Dragon Miniature Railway, Stockport http://www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway


P Scott	13 Jun 2008, 08:03 PM Post #12
Cleaner Posts: 162 Group: Friends of MRMT Member #60 Joined: November 24, 2006	Tim, Only one of the 4-4-0s is with Ken Bean on his "Newchapel, Horne & Burston Grand Junction Railway". The other one is privately owned in Lincolnshire - but does visit Ken's railway from time to time. The locos are easily confused as both have been called "Queen Elizabeth" at one time in their life - after different Queens though!! Peter S.



Timbo	19 Jan 2009, 02:52 PM Post #13
Timbo Posts: 1,371 Group: Moderators Member #53 Joined: October 24, 2006	Pic of a postcard on ebay at the mo:
	Tim Dunn MRW Moderator www.bekonscot.com www.meteorite.co.uk


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