Ruislip Lido

When I was a kid there was a rather tatty miniature railway at Ruislip Lido. When I was about 12 I made the long(seemed like it) bike ride over there and was disappointed to find a 10 1/4" diesel outline (severn Lamb?) train on a 400 yd loop in the trees.

I went back in about '98 and what a transformation! New operator. New gauge 12", I think. P-way that was better than the main line, and about a mile longer than before and a live steam model of one of the big Ffestiniog Hunslets.

I looked at the website recently, and there's no information about steam trains. Anyone know what the situation is? I thought I might take my boy when I'm in Uxbridge next weekend, but it'll be a long day for a little lad(and for me)

 

I've often thought about visiting this railway. From their website it seems they only have one steam loco, the half-size replica of the FR's Hunslet Blanche.
There's a small note on the home page which shows when their steam loco will be next in service, but there's no date given, so it's a pretty good guess that if you go next weekend you'll get a diesel.

 

That's the thing-I'd not get out of bed for a diesel

 

https://www.ruisliplidorailway.org/contact-us

 

Reply from the railway:

"Bess is having her annual boiler wash out at the moment. Should be back in steam around September.

Thanks

Matt

Ruislip Lido Railway"

Seems a pity-I'd have thought that the summer holidays might be the best earning period for the line.

 

Wasn't A Night to Remember filmed on the lake? Pity you cant swim there now

 

If you're going on a Sunday, I'd head here http://www.hwsme.org/

Much more fun & you avoid the nightmare of having to get in or out of the Lido, especially this time of year!

As for Mad Bess, a, its an oil burner & b, it is only allowed out so many times a year due to the woods being protected & also I suspect there aren't enough folk passed to drive her......

 

I used to volunteer on the RLR (note my profile picture!) until I left the area and unless things have changed, there's no restriction on Bess's operation due to the woodlands - it's simply a case of money and volunteers.

She's a lot more expensive to run than the diesels, and the railway has a captive market in families using the beach, so using steam does little to attract extra custom. Also, most of the volunteers who run the railway - and it is an all-volunteer operation by the way! - aren't particularly steam enthusiasts. So it's the usual message - if you want to see her used more, go and volunteer!

Nevertheless, the usual pattern when I was there was to run her on Sundays and Bank Holidays from (I think) March - October, subject to mechanical failures and crew availability. I'd really recommend making the effort to go and see her - yes, it is a little frustrating that she doesn't come out more often but when she does, you'll find that she's a lovely engine, running in a lovely setting. And if you are worried about driving to the Lido, just go by train - there are buses from Ruislip station.

 

RLR have released some running dates for Mad Bess. They are:

• 22nd October
• 29th October
• 5th November

 

Same gauge (it's always been 12"), and the original loco (Robert) is still around.