Stapleford Miniature Railway is a historic steam locomotive-hauled 10 1⁄4 in (260 mm) gauge railway at Stapleford Park, Stapleford near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England.[1]
Considered one of the finest examples of its type, the railway attracts thousands of visitors from the UK and abroad. The two public dates for 2012 are June 9th-10th and Sunday Monday 26th–27th August.[2]
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The ridable miniature railway began life in 1958 as a short line to carry visitors from the car park, to Lord Gretton's stately home. Due to its popularity, the railway was quickly expanded, running down to and then eventually around the lake in the landscaped parkland and the park which also featured a drive through lion reserve.
The SMR featured in a 1960s episode of the television show The Avengers called "The Gravediggers", where Emma Peel was tied to the railway track, before Steed rescued her just in time.[3]
After the estate closed its doors to the public in 1982, the railway was mothballed. It was restored by the newly-formed friends supporting group FSMR under Jennifer Gretton, Baroness Gretton's stewardship during the 1990s and opened its doors to the public again in 1995 and is now a regular feature on the steam scene calendar. The railway opens twice per year as part of steam rallies in mid June and August Bank Holiday weekends, in aid of LOROS, the local hospice.[4][5]
In October 2008 a new station was opened by Pete Waterman OBE.
The route is nearly 2 miles in length over an extensive scenic line including a replica tunnel of Box Tunnel and Primrose Tunnel.
There is a fleet of 6 steam locomotives including two mighty 1/5 scale North American examples, a NKP Berkshire class, and NYC Niagara and a 1/4 scale East African and Harbours 31 Class added in Oct 2008. Currently though, both the Jubilee and NKP Berkshire are out of service due to major boiler repairs, possibly until 2012 leaving just 4 steam and 1 diesel locos rostered