| Thorne Memorial Park Miniature Railway | |
|---|---|
| Locale | South Yorkshire, England |
| Dates of operation | 1978–still operating |
| Track gauge | 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) |
| Headquarters | Thorne |
Thorne Memorial Park Miniature Railway is a 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge and 5-inch gauge (130 mm) miniature railway built in 1998 in Thorne, South Yorkshire operating on two loops within the park.
Born in the late 1970s out of an idea to form a society to further the aims of those with an interest of model engineering. The then "Doncaster Model Engineering Society" built its track at the rear of the most famous railway place on earth, "Doncaster Plant Works". Birthplace of Mallard, Flying Scotsman, Green Arrow, Cock of the North to name a few.
The group laid 900 feet of 5-and-71⁄4-inch gauge (130 and 184 mm) ground-level track. Only five years later, they were dismayed to be told after all this hard work had been done that below the top soil, underneath the track bed lies "The Works" dumping ground of blue asbestos boiler lagging. At the end of the 1984 operating season, and with winter approaching the opportunity arose to consider the next move. Well somebody moved it, the track that is. Only problem was they forgot to tell the group about it, the whole of the track disappeared, removed by a person or persons unknown.
The group then met at a local factory, a members home and a country pub until an approach to Thorne Parish Council in 1996, to see if they wanted a miniature railway in their local park, was welcomed by the council. Plans were submitted and the appropriate permission was given. The council offered the use of a very solid brick building a former World War II air raid shelter, with power and a nearby water supply, a better start could not have been wished for. The building is now the locomotive depot, which was recently adapted by the addition of a 3-foot-high (0.91 m) steel end door for the rolling stock to gain access to it.
The first stage of the venture at Thorne was completed by late July 1999, with a 600-foot (180 m) loop of dual 5-and-71⁄4-inch gauge (130 and 184 mm) ground-level track with a 100-foot-long (30 m) branch line to the preparation area and locomotive shed. Two major events in 2000 directly affected the operation when the Doncaster Model Engineering Society became the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society Limited. In May 2000 the (former) Sandtoft Miniature Railway members voted to cease operating the railway at the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum and the majority of the members decided to join the Thorne group en-block, therefore doubling its membership and bringing with them a new enthusiasm and wealth of experience.
A second loop of 71⁄4-inch gauge (180 mm) track was laid in 2003–04, with a diamond crossing connecting the two. More recent work to the loco shed has seen the installation of a 3-foot (0.91 m) steel door to enable locomotives and rolling stock to be taken out directly on the track. Installation of fencing at the Thorne Central Station area provides a new central platform. Wooden edges have been put in place around the track to give a neater edge when the grass has been cut.
The train service was now becoming a regular feature in the park with good support from the local population and many visitors from other parts of Britain and Overseas. It operates on Sundays between May and September, plus bank holiday Monday and the annual Thorne Festival weekend. A limited service operates on Sundays in the winter months, usually to coincide with the local Thorne Farmers Market.
Club Steam Locomotives Koppel: This large red narrow gauge steam locomotive was built in 1985 by Harold Dyson to the Ken Swan design. This loco transferred from Sandtoft Miniature Railway. Remus: Regular club workhorse this 040 narrow gauge steam locomotive, built to the popular Romulus design. Transferred to Thorne with the closure of Sandtoft Miniature Railway repainted blue following recent overhaul. Built by Harold Dyson
Visiting Steam locomotives Koppel : 5-inch gauge (130 mm) version of Koppel 040 narrow gauge locomotive. Owned and operated by members Mike and John Princes Sarah: Narrow gauge outline industrial owned and built by Paul Tattershall
Club Electric locomotives John L Stokes: Mainline outline Bo -Bo battery electric locomotive, named after a club member who donated many parts of this loco to the club. Livery green with a yellow cab. GNER: Intercity 125 main line bogie battery electric locomotive The Duke: Narrow gauge bogie steeple cab Bo-Bo battery electric locomotive
Visiting Electric locomotives Mufuta: 040 battery electric locomotive, powered by a single C5 electric motor, drive through bicycle chain and sprockets. Chassis built by Harold Dyson Reg: 71⁄4-inch gauge (180 mm) red industrial 040 narrow gauge locomotive, battery electric. Blue Club Petrol locomotive 71⁄4-inch gauge (180 mm) 060 shunter, powered by Honda 90 petrol engine using a rail drill reversing gearbox.
Visiting Petrol locomotives Ariel: This small simple 5-inch gauge (130 mm) 0-4-0 petrol locomotive, represents the front half of a Class 52 Western locomotive. Powered by a 50 cc 2-stroke engine from an Ariel 3 moped (hence its name). The transmission uses the moped's centrifugal clutch with bicycle chain to the wheels (no reverse gear). Usually runs with its own lightweight carriage. Originally built over 30 years ago, now historically interesting as an example of petrol locomotive design from that era. Ben: This large yellow 5-inch gauge (130 mm) 0-4-0 petrol locomotive is a 1/3 scale model of the Simplex locomotives used on the Thorne Moor peat works. It is powered by a Suffolk lawn mower engine driving through a bicycle 3-speed hub and homemade reversing gearbox. This loco has been built from recycled materials, using parts from 7 bicycles, 3 bed frames, 2 lawnmowers, a barbecue, moped, caravan and Mini Metro. Designed and built by Jack Salter over 2004 -2006 incorporating lessons learnt from running "Ariel".
Rolling stock 1998 Coaches: 2 off 8-foot (2.4 m) bogie coaches varnished sit-astride bodies 2001 coaches: 2 off 8-foot (2.4 m) bogie coaches sit-astride bodies painted red and cream Dual purpose carriage: Middle seats can be removed to enable wheelchairs to be carried, Very heavy duty construction means can only be pulled by the most powerful locomotives. Built 2008 Braked driving car 040 with handbrake Driving car with control panel Usually used in conjunction with the electric locos, footbrake. Bogie Guards Carriage 4-foot (1.2 m) sit-astride for use on rear of train with compartment for flag etc. Visiting Rolling stock 4-foot-long (1.2 m) 71⁄4-inch gauge (180 mm) sit-astride braked riding car. Lightweight with varnished finish, usually seen behind Ariel. Built by Model Engineering Supplies, Bexhill, 2008