Poole Park Railway

Now running again - https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/21273170.poole-park-railway-open-today-following-derailment/

 

The locomotive was derailed yesterday at 14.30. A group of youths had been causing disruption in the local café by the railway; The Ark. They were told to leave. We think they then cycled round to what is locally called 'Whitecliff Curve'. Here they placed a large quantity of ballast between the inner rail and the check rail. We reduce speed as we approach the curve as it is very sharp. The locomotive rode over the placed ballast and completely derailed. It stayed upright at an angle. No one was hurt. The driver was rather shaken. All passengers were safely removed from the train and a recovery procedure was activated. The locomotive was re-railed by 17.45 and 4 test runs were undertaken to access any issues that the derailment might have caused to the locomotive and the track. None were found and a decision was made to run the railway Sunday morning. Sunday proved to be a very popular day for passengers with a very large percentage of the trains full to capacity.

thanks

 

At least no harm done to anyone or anything. It is a shame that the antisocial behaviour that plagues the bus station seems to have spread.

What is happening with the electric loco now track systems have gone?

Good to hear it is busy.

 

Are The Police involved?

 

It was in the Telegraph (paywall) yesterday too, with an anti-council slant to it

 

I read it on their Faceache site. It was a dreadful piece of sensationalistic journalism and a suitable comment to that effect was made.

 

Regarding the electric locomotive: As far as I know the project has got as far as drawings. I understand that this is as far as it will get, though I could be wrong.

 

Not that I am aware of. There is no real evidence.

 

The article was inaccurate. They must have gotten their information fro Alpha Centauri. ( The tauri bit being correct)

 

Our Sunday running was very good passenger wise. Extra stock would have helped. Between lunchtime and close 5.00pm every train was full.

 

Nice problem to have .... if frustrating. Any off-season pans afoot?

 

Are there further coaches that can be worked up to passenger status over the winter to enable strengthening of the rake so that you avoid any overcrowding next season ?

 

On my visit to the U K the line was not yet running. Looks like very good trackwork and Shed. To those complaining about cost, I took a return trip on the Cleethorpes Light Railway. 4.00gbp return,not as scenic a ride as the PPR and commercialised.
The kids of all ages will love it and it is a Poole institution!!

 

There are no extra carriages. There is no money to purchase any more carriages.

 

The Official Opening of Poole Park Railway: 15 October 2022 at 10.00am. Local MP, Councillors and other important people will be present. A Ribbon Cutting ceremony will take place. There will be free rides all morning. Other exciting activities will be taking place on the day. There is wheelchair access in the covered carriage.

Like a lot of similar attractions, The Railway could do with some more volunteers.

There are three of the original green carriages available to purchase should anyone be looking for 10 1/4 gauge carriages.

 

From https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/poole-park-railway-contractors-cease-7663977 tonight

"Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council say everything has been built - but that one part of the project still needs to be procured at the last minute"

Can anyone please clarify?

 

all matters regarding Track Systems are in the hands of various solicitors.

 

Just going by the article, I would assume the item to be procured is the electric loco. The designs have been completed and paid for, but the loco itself was not started (or paid for).

 

I couldn't make heads not tails of it. To go by @nick813's post, it sounds as if having lawyers circling might have made the newspaper's reporter rather more cautious than normal.

Eek .... never the cheapest option. My best wishes for a rapid and favourable deconbobulation.

 

I wish it were so simple as this! Looking forward to being able to paint a more complete picture soon.......!