Poole Park Railway

Here is the railway in it's 1964 form filmed by my father. Brother Dave is the film and keen to get off as it's not Vanguard... I am a few yards away tucked up in mother's tum as I am still a couple of months away from being born.

I should also add the longer film from various visits. I am there right behind the loco with my brother in the final clips

 

I have asked BCP Council if I could purchase the four green coaches that have sat outside the compound since 2118. The reply was, no I can not beacuuse The Council have not decided what to do with them. I offer £25.00 each for body bogires and wheel sets. .............I have asked again to higher authority .......!

 

Yes it would be good to get what is left under cover. I hope you manage it and I am sure others will help. I could store them here but transport may be a bit expensive!

 

WIBN. Vanguard doing a few laps of honour back at Poole Park ..aND getting an entirely new generation involved!!

 

From I gather (having spoken to them a few times) they're waiting for the supplier of the rolling stock etc. to be agreed so they can assess the pre-existing rolling stock as part of that, and then make a decision regarding refurbishment or disposal

 

Well, there's been no news in a while, but here's some old news for those of a nostalgic bent



No railway in this one, but

 

Thank you! Happy Days! If a (grand) reopening is ever held perhaps the current owners of Vanguard could be persuaded to bring her down from Lincolnshire even if on display I think a few native Pooleites would pony up some funds.

 

Light on the horizon? Has a new operator been found?

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-59022444

 

Yes PPRY is to be running again.
https://pooleprojects.net/poole-par...ZYfbtnc9WAxwJqMhWFSvTCUt82LPfDqSM5OooGug95toM
You might find that Track systems was the company that BCP paid £100Kas consultants back in 2019. This was for the upgrade of the track gauge a new bridge new shed and new loco and rolling stock.
The current tender is in two parts
1) Track and shed renewal:£239K
2)Loco and coaching stock: £100K

I think from asking a variety of people in the know that the track replacement will cost in the region of £180 -190K leaving the other £50k for the new shed.
I believe the old shed roof is asbestos cement. That will cost a few £££s to remove. I can not see that £50k plus is enough for demolition and renewal.
We will see. One issue that will be interesting to see if the 'tree' issue crops up. There is an Oak that is slowly leaning further and further across the track bed. Should any one :
Stand up at that point they will probably get killed.
Lift their arm to take a selfie they will have a broken arm. This is some thing I witness as guard one afternoon, a person had raised their arm with phone in hand just as the train approached the tree. Somehow they lowered their hand milli seconds before the contact......any way I am not getting involved with this railway.I have enough to do with The 813 Fund.

 

Certain of the Track Systems

 

One of those involved with Track Systems Ltd. tried his hand at running the Littlehampton Miniature Railway and I don't think he did at all well there. Let's hope he has learned some lessons and does better at Poole.

 

Does anyone know if BCP have done an economic impact assessment or similar for the railway at Poole Park?

 

Back by next summer apparently:
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19689960.poole-park-railway-next-summer-new-target-return/

 

Latest update:
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/n...-bring-service-back-just-days-away/?ref=ebmpn

 

Genuinely surprised that Track Systems won the tender, but glad progress is being made

 

Does that mean that 10.25" is now history?

 

Oh no, it is back to 10.25 gauge.....the 12.25 has been dropped as it was to expensive for the budget. So no wheelchair carriage, no covered carriages for those rainy days. I think the carriages that have been rotting in the compound are going to be used for future trains. Will be interesting to see how the possible asbestos roof is removed and by whom!
The tender figures really do not add up: Removal of track and replacement, removal of building and replacement and installation of a water supply from the station building all for £230K.
Track Systems were the company that did 12.25 gauge consultation....for £100K.

plus the tree.

 

Ferry Meadows Railway is selling its 10.25 gauge Darjeeling loco. Right gauge and would look good at Poole Park!!

 

Yes it would look good on PPRy. £60K price tag. I think the officers in charge of PPRy would be running screaming to the hills if that turn up one sunny afternoon. I think they are looking for an outline steam locomotive powered by electricity. An USA outline, in a lovely glossy white finish pulling the rusty carriages that have been stored outside since 2019......

 

I doubt BCP council will run something as environmentally destructive as a steam loco when councillors are concerned about pets! How would they cope! https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19832833.emissions-cats-dogs-raised-issue-council-meeting/

Didn't the guy who used to own it get the public to buy him a steam loco that he stopped using as soon as it needed work (or money spending in it in his case I doubt). He lept it for himself too, last heard of rotting away at Honeybrook farm, until he was kicked out of there for running it into the ground.

I cannot not image that anyone in the council would have a clue what to do with a steam loco.