Southport Lakeside Miniature Railway

In a nutshell

Gauge:          15"

Length:         1 mile (1.5km)

Opened:        1911

Location:      

Lakeside Miniature Railway

Esplanade, 

Southport, 

Merseyside, 

PR8 1RX

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Web:       http://www.lakesideminiaturerailway.co.uk/

   

Date of visit:     22 September 2013

 

Key Facts

• The railway is the oldest continuously running miniature railway in the world (others closed during war years, eg Rhyl Miniature Railway which was built in the same year)
• The railway was opened on 25 May 1911 and ran alongside the Marine Lake with run-round loops at each end. It was extended in 1938 with a tight left-hand turn at the Northernmost end to a new terminus (Marine Parade Station) beside the pier.
• When first opened, the railway was operated by two Bassett-Lowke 4-4-2 steam locomotives, King George and Princess Elizabeth. These locomotives are still in existence, in America.
• The original locos were joined in 1919 by one of Sir Arthur Heywood's locomotives, Katie  which had previously run on the Eaton Hall Railway and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (see A chronology of Minimum Gauge railways). Katie was sold to the Fairbourne Railway in 1923.
• In 1948 a steam outline 4-6-2 petrol-electric tender locomotive (The Duke of Edinburgh), based on Gresley’s streamline A4 Pacifics, joined the railway. It was built by Harry Barlow who became the owner of the railway in 1945.
• Harry Barlow also built the locomotives for the Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway, based on the cartoons of Roland Emett, which appeared at the 1951 Festival of Britain.
•  Two further petrol locomotives of a similar design were added in 1954 (Prince Charles) and 1963 (Golden Jubilee).
• A further loco, Princess Anne, a diesel hydraulic co-co loco similar to a Western diesel and built by Severn Lamb, joined the railway in 1971.
• The railway was taken over by Don Clark in 2001.
• Another loco, a 2-6-2 steam outline diesel hydraulic called Jenny, was added to the fleet in 2006. This loco was built for the LMR by Austin Moss at nearby Windmill Farm.

Route

My Impressions

After solving the first problem of finding somewhere to park (see below), my first objective was to get the lay of the land at Marine Parade Station. The station is located between Marine Parade and the pier.

Walking around the station, it's possible to take some pictures of the station from the first overbridge, which leads to a skateboard and BMX bike park. A little further along Marine Parade, it's possible to gain access to the pier .......

..... from which other views of the station can be gained.

As can be seen, the layout at the station provides for two platforms with separate run round loops on each.

Heading back to the station, I took a snap of the impressive station building which dates back to the days when the line was extended to its present position in 1938. After chatting with the owner's wife, Jenny, I made my way on to the platform to await the arrival of the next train.

Only one platform was in use - in fact the track to the other was quite overgrown, suggesting it had not been used for some time. A rake of two articulated open coaches was parked beside the main platform to be available should traffic demand their use.

At the other end of the platform, the line could be seen stretching out through a cutting towards the 90 degree right-hand bend which takes the railway alongside the lake. The overbridge to the skateboard park was clearly made from cast iron plates which bear the initials of the railway (LMRly).

Before long, there was the sound of a horn in the distance and the train came into view, the loco propelling the train of two articulated open coaches into the station.

The loco on duty for the day was Jenny, a 2-6-2 steam outline diesel hydraulic loco which was constructed in 2006.

Talking with the driver, it seems that this loco is used when traffic is likely to be fairly light. The older, larger locos are pressed into service on a rolling basis during the season, dependent on anticipated traffic.

We clambered aboard and paid the modest fare (£1.50 single for me) .......

and within a short period we departed.

After passing beneath the bridge to the skateboard park .......

 ...... we rounded the curve to pass under the bridge giving access to the park, and then under the pier.

 We then ran on a fairly straight route between the park and the lake. Looking back towards the pier, the lake can be seen on the right.

We passed beneath another bridge (under repair) ...........

 ....... before passing the stock sheds.

 We then pulled into Pleasureland Station where there is an island platform with two
faces.

In addition to the two run round loops there is a carriage siding leading to another stock shed.

As with Marine Parade Station, it's clear that only one platform is in regular use, which presumably reflects the lack of demand for this type of seaside attraction these days.

I decided to walk the mile back to Marine Parade Station, to grab a few lineside shots. The entrance to the station announces as clearly as possible the presence of the railway.

 As does the nameboard on the platform for those walking in the park beside the Marine Lake.

 The walk along the path between the lake and the railway is quite pleasant, punctuated occasionally by the passing of a train. Here we see Jenny passing over the points leading to the stock sheds  .........

...... and here further along the line towards Marine Parade.

 The track is quite well maintained though a covering of weeds gives it that Light Railway look .........

 As the line begins it curve towards Marine Parade Station, the line towards Pleasureland Station can be seen almost in its entirety.

 ..... while the other end of the curve beside the skateboard park shows the width of the cutting.

As the afternoon wore on the number of passengers increased meaning that the second rake of  coaches was pressed into service and the loco was required to run round its train at each end.

It was satisfying to see the railway attracting more passengers .......

 ..... though it is doubtful as to whether it will ever become as popular as it was in its early days, as evidenced by these pictures on display in the station building at Marine Parade . Clearly, the novelty of seeing a train in miniature was a great attraction.

 It seems a great pity that many of the visitors strolling along the pier and catching a glimpse of the railway are probably blissfully unaware of its fascinating history and its contribution to the world of miniature railways. However, even at the end of the season, the railway was carrying a fair number of passengers. I overheard one passenger enquiring, "Where does it go?" and when told it went up to Pleasureland he replied, "Oh, that's all right then" suggesting that the length of the ride was about right for a day out at the seaside.

Practicalities

 Parking

There are no parking facilities specific to the railway at either end but there are several public car parks. We discovered that we could park in the car park on the right hand side of Marine Parade opposite the station for two hours without charge (or longer if something was purchased in the shops.

Refreshments

Apart from selling sweets, ice cream and hot drinks at Marine Parade Station, the railway does not have a cafe. However, there are many and varied sources of refreshment within a short distance of the two stations.

Disabled Access

There are no steps to access the platforms at either station which are both approached by ramps. On the day I visited, there was no carriage which could accommodate wheelchairs available. There is a telephone number on the railway's website to which enquiries could be made.

Video

[In preparation] 

Eaton Railway

In a nutshell

Gauge:      15"

Length:     Originally 3 miles (with ½ mile branch)      Now 1½ miles

Opened:      1895
Closed:        1947
Re-opened: 2000  

Location:

View Narrow Gauge Railways in a larger map

Web:        http://www.eatonestate.co.uk/Events/Exhibits/Eaton+Railway.htm

Email.      http://www.eatonestate.co.uk/Terms+of+Use/Website+Feedback.htm

 

Date of visit:     26 May 2013

 

Key Facts

• The railway was constructed by (Sir) Arthur Heywood who was keen to demonstrate the potential of 15" gauge railways which he considered to be the minimum gauge for a viable narrow gauge railway (see 15" gauge railways - a chronology)
• The Hon CT Parker, agent to the 1st Duke of Westminster, persuaded the Duke that a 15" gauge railway would solve some of the problems of transporting supplies and produce between the Eaton Hall estate and the nearest mainline railway station at Balderton.
• In the 1890s, estate consumed around 2000 tons of coal and 3000 tons of general stores each year, and transported goods outward from the estate's brickworks, sawmills and pipeworks. 
• The duke agreed to the construction of the railway provided it did not interfere with the view. 
• The railway was built in a year, its construction being supervised by Arthur Heywood himself with three of his own workers and a team of workmen from the estate, as the duke was concerned about the possibility of his game being poached.
• The railway's first locomotive, Katie (named after the duchess), was an 0-4-0 built by Heywood. A replica of this loco is now based at the Eaton Railway for use on Open Days.
• A further two locos were provided by Heywood; in 1904 an 0-6-0T Shelagh (named after the 2nd Earl's wife) joined the railway and in 1916 another 0-6-0T locomotive called Ursula (named after the 2nd Earl's daughter) was delivered.
• The first driver at Eaton was Harry Wilde and the second was Harry Morgan, who worked on the line first as a guard/shunter from the age of 13 in 1919 becoming the driver in 1932 until he drove the lifting train in 1947.
• In 1905, Wynne Bassett-Lowke used the Eaton Railway to test-run his first 15" gauge locomotive, Little Giant. This marked the beginning of Bassett-Lowke's enterprise to establish a series of miniature railways across the country, including the Rhyl Miniature Railway, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, the Fairbourne Railway and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.
• The Eaton Railway carried many notable personages, including King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra and Winston Churchill who was attending a shooting party but commented to the driver, "Let's have a little look at that engine of yours ....... I'd much rather play at trains."
• Shortly after the First World War, the Eaton Railway took delivery of a 20 HP Simplex Motor Rail petrol mechanical locomotive
• Katie was sold to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and then passed to the Fairbourne Railway. In 1942 the remaining two locomotives were scrapped and in 1947 the Simplex and the track were sold to the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.
• After a suggestion of Ian Jolly in the 1970s, the stock was rescued from the RH&DR and in 1998 planning permission was granted for the railway to be reconstructed. The restored railway makes use of the original carriage shed with a terminus very close to the line's original station. A spur then links this to the main loop which traces part of the original route and then branches off to the north to circle the cricket club.
• The railway is open to the public on Eaton Hall's four open day's per year (see website) when money is raised for charity
• Trains on the Eaton Railway are run at half hourly intervals on open days but seats have to be booked in advance as they are limited in number. It is therefore advisable to arrive early and book your seat as soon as you arrive.
• On Open Days there are refreshments available in the form of hot drinks, cakes, sandwiches, bacon and sausage butties and ice cream.

(With thanks to Ian Jolly for additional historical information)

Route

The present route of the Eaton Railway

The original route of the Eaton Railway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Impressions

Although we arrived shortly after the gates were opened, there was already a considerable number of cars parked on the grass - but then the weather was warm and the forecast for the day was set fair.

After paying our modest entry fee, we initially went for a quick cuppa and so by the time I went to book my ticket for the train, the first four trains were fully booked - advisable, it seems, to book your train ticket early.

However, this gave me plenty of time to take photos and to wander around the  route of the railway.

I spent a while around the terminus, looking at the original coal and wood loading sheds and the carriage shed which is now used to house the loco and the stock.

Eaton Railway - the coal and wood unloading dock with carriage shed on the right

The former carriage shed now used as a stock shed

 I also had an opportunity to see the line's loco, Katie, being coaled and watered before hauling her next train. Katie is a replica of the line's original loco which was built in 1898 by Sir Arthur Heywood, the originator of the minimum gauge.

Katie takes on coal and water.

 She then ran round her train ....

...... and then departed on the 11.30 train.

 After ten to fifteen minutes, she returned having traversed the main loop and the triangular junction.

 And her passengers disembarked.

I then went out into the park to watch the 12.00 train emerge from the garden area and cross one of the estate roads.

The train then skirted the cricket pitch and wandered off across the parkland.

 About ten minutes later, the train hove back into view and negotiated the other side of the triangular junction to run back into the station.

 Just before 12.30, I boarded my train and bagged the seat immediately behind the loco.

 Which provided me with some fine views of the track

 and some interesting shots of the loco in action.

On returning to the terminus, we detrained and I had an opportunity to see the faithful replicas of the Heywood rolling stock at close quarters.

 The saloon coach is the piece de resistance

The small portholes at each end of the coach were apparently to accommodate oil lamps to provide some light inside the coaches when the trains ran at night.

 After a sandwich and another cuppa in the main courtyard of the Hall, which provided an opportunity to see more closely the clock tower which is, of course, a small scale replica of the tower at the Palace of Westminster.

 An interesting exhibit in the courtyard was the Duke's armoured Rolls Royce.

 We then wandered back to the car which provided me with one final opportunity to see Katie being watered and coaled for her next train.........

The quality of the replica rolling stock and the level of maintenance of the track are of a very high order. The setting for the railway is as one would expect, highly attractive. I did try tracing the route of the original railway where it supposedly departed from the present alignment, but I was unable to discern any sign of the trackbed.

On a previous visit to the garden centre which is beside the Wrexham Road entrance to the estate, I managed to locate the line's original engine shed which now forms part of the offices for the garden centre.

I also identified where the railway used to cross the road and make its way through the woodland towards Balderton Station.

At a future date I want to explore the buildings which remain on the site of the Cuckoo's Nest sidings and also trace the course of the railway through the fields towards Balderton - though this will be dependent on how close the present-day footpaths are to the route of the railway.

The original Katie on the sidings at Eaton Hall terminus

Video