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] 

Windmill Farm Railway

In a nutshell

Gauge:       15"

Length:      ½ mile (one mile round trip)

Opened:    1997

Location:  

THE WINDMILL ANIMAL FARM
Red Cat Lane,
Burscough,
Lancashire.
L40 1UQ

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

Email.  info@windmillfarmrailway.org.uk

Tel.:      01704 892282
 

Date of visit:   23 February 2013

 

Key Facts

• The railway was set up in 1997 by Austin Moss to store and run his collection of 15" historic locomotives and rolling stock
• The collection includes stock from the 15" Fairbourne Railway, the Lakeside Railway at Southport, the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, Bressingham Gardens, Liverpool Garden Festival and Dudley Zoo.
• The farm site includes children's play areas, a cafe and livestock exhibits
• Trains run during weekends during the winter and daily during the summer

Route

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My Impressions

Having paid my entry fee to the farm, I made my way to the railway, passing through the animal sheds, the cafe and the children's playground.

The loco and carriage sheds are adjacent to the animal barn and a window gives a glimpse of some of the railway's collection of stock - principally the Lakeside Railway locomotives from Southport - though in the background can be seen the railway's Pullman coach which was scratchbuilt on the premises.

The sheds connect directly to the line's main station which boasts its own trainshed.

Our loco for this journey was a Bo-Bo diesel which had formerly run on the railway at Dudley Zoo. As this was the midday train service the coaches were rapidly filled with enthusiastic children and their parents

Once all the passengers had found their seats, the train departed, initially winding its way through the fields past the windmill which gives the farm its name, and then through the fields.

After negotiating a couple of reverse curves the line approached its destination, passing the now disused junction for the balloon loop.

Taking the left hand branch, we skirted the lake, getting a view of the Lakeside Station building across the water.

When we arrived at the station, the loco ran round the train and there was a fifteen minute stop while the children took the opportunity to play in the playgound. In the summer, this would make a pleasant spot for a picnic, but with the occasional flurry of snow in the air, no one seemed interested using the picnic benches.

I took the opportunity to discuss the railway with the driver and guard, and view the photos and information in the station building about various other 15" gauge railways with which the railway has some relationship. I was interested to see some photos of Haigh Hall Railway when it was operational.

I understand there have been some discussions about the Windmill Farm Railway taking over some of the operation and maintenance of the Haigh Hall Railway, but at present there is no firm news on this.

I was also interested in seeing some pictures of Blacolvesley which was the only internal combustion powered locomotive to be constructed by Bassett Lowke and ran on the Blakesley Hall Railway. I believe it is now preserved at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.

What I find really fascinating is tracing the history of 15" 'minimum gauge' gauge railways in this country, from their original promotion by Sir Arthur Heywood in the late 1800s to the present day (see A Minimum Gauge Railway Chronology). Sir Arthur was almost obsessed with investigating, demonstrating and promoting what he considered to be the minimum viable gauge for a commercially successful railway. Whilst he had the opportunity to construct only one other railway (the Eaton Hall Railway) in addition to his own, the gauge was adopted by many of the more successful community and leisure railways (eg the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch, the Ravenglass & Eskdale and the Fairbourne Railway).

 There was also an interesting panel explaining the origin of the station building which had formerly been a signal cabin on the Great Western Railway near Bristol.

When we re-boarded the train, I was fortunate to be offered a seat in the guards van, which gave me a great view of the locomotive as we made our return journey.

Before long we once more returned to the main station, where we de-trained and the passengers made their way back to the delights of the farm.

Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to look over some of the line's collection of stock, including what looked like a replica of one of the original Heywood minimum gauge carriages.

I was then invited to view the railway's other stock in the sheds, which includes the 2-8-2 diesel hydraulic loco, Konigswinter, which up until this time has handled much of the railway's summer traffic.

In addition I was able to admire the recently restored former Fairbourne Railway 2-4-2 Guest loco Katie, which is intended to come back into operation this summer (an excuse for a return visit, maybe?). It seems Katie will be returning to Fairbourne in May 2013 for guest appearance (sorry about the pun!) at its steam gala.

The former Fairbourne Lister diesel, Whippet Quick, was also in evidence ......

.... as were the former Southport Lakeside diesel electric locos, Princess Anne, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and City of London.

Another loco which greatly intrigued me was what must be the most minimal of all, an 0-4-0 (or maybe a 2-2-0) vehicle powered by what looks like a recycled lawnmower engine.

The sheds also house a fascinating collection of rolling stock from various sources in various stages of restoration.

Having visited several 15" gauge railways over the past year I am rapidly coming to see their historical significance and the fascination which this gauge holds for those who are determined to preserve and to promote its continued existence. I am determined to re-visit this railway during the summer, particularly during their gala weekend when I assume much of the stock will be on show and operational. (eg see http://homepage.ntlworld.com/chrismansfield/windmill/ ). In the meantime, if you are ever in the vicinity, I would strongly urge you to visit the railway - maybe coinciding it with a visit to Martin Mere, which is less than a mile down the road, or a visit to the West Lancs Light Railway which is about fifteen minutes' drive away. I really feel that Narrow Gauge Railway collections such as this need to be supported and nurtured to ensure that this important part of our industrial and leisure heritage is preserved and further developed.

Video