TRIP 529

Home Counties Miniatures

12th August 2017

Bekonscot Model Village, Beaconsfield (VISIT).

Std Gauge {Coach} : BR 18911 (body only).
2ft Gauge {Wagons}: 3 x UI Hudson (assumed) 4w skips (U/F only).
7.25" Gauge {Locos}: 1 'SPROCKET' - 4wBE, Maxitrak/2001 (OOU) ; 3 - 4w-4wBER, Bekonscot/2001 ; 5 'BOUNCER' - 4w-4wBE, Bekonscot/2007(Undergoing overhaul); 6 'DOODARGH' - 4w=4wDH, Bekonscot/2010 (On passenger workings).
{Coaches} : 4 x Unnumbered 'sit-astride' coaches ; 1 x Unnumbered 'ride-in' open coach ; 1 x Unnumbered 'ride-in' covered coach.
{Wagon} : 1 x Unnumbered wooden open tub wagon.

The party enjoyed a ride behind 6 'DOODARGH'.
Thanks go to Maura Buckland for organising and Mervyn Hill for hosting our visit.

Ruislip Lido Railway, Hillingdon (VISIT).

12" Gauge {Locos} : 6 'MAD BESS' - 2-4-0ST, Ruislip Lido & Winson Engineering/1998 (undergoing overhaul) ; 3 'ROBERT' - 4w-4DH, Severn Lamb/1973 (OOU) ; 5 'LADY OF THE LAKES' - 4w-4wDH, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway/1986 ; 7 'GRAHAM ALEXANDER' - 4w-4wDH, Severn Lamb/1990 ; 8 'BAYHURST' - 4w-4wDH, Severn Lamb/2003 ; 9 'JOHN RENNIE' - 4w-4wDH, Severn Lamb/2004, Re-built Alan Keef/2012 (on passenger workings).
{Coaches} : 201 ; 204 ; 205 ; 206 ; 207 ; 208 ; 251 ; 252 ; 253 ; 254 ('ride-in' covered coaches) ; 301 ; 302 ; 303 ; 304 ; 305 ; 306 ('ride-in' open coaches).
{Wagons} : 307 ; 308 (converted from 'ride-in' open coaches, for use as buggy wagons - to carry prams, pushchairs, wheelchairs and general baggage) ; 501 ; 502 ; 503 ; 504 ; 510 ; 511 (V-Skip tipping wagons), NOTE : No's 501 was in the workshop undergoing overhaul & 503 was OOU in the headshunt only having two wheels on it, 505 (6t ballast wagon - in the workshops undergoing axle changes & re-builds) ; 506 (breakdown tool & personnel coach) ; 507 ; 508 (well wagons) ; 509 (generator wagon) ; 551 (compressed air tank carrier wagon).

The party enjoyed a return trip behind 9 'JOHN RENNIE'.
Thanks go to Alistair Todd for organising (ang arranging a reduced fare) and to Chris for hosting our visit.

Cassiobury Park Miniature Railway, Watford (VISIT).

10.25" Gauge {Locos} : 4179 'CHILTERN SHUTTLE' - 0-6-0, R. Morse/1946 (stored at rear of shed) ; Unnumbered - 0-6-0DH Steam Outline, Roanoke/2005 ; 'CONWAY CASTLE' - 4w-4wDH, Fenlow/1972 (on passenger workings) ; 'NIKKI LOUISE' - 0-6-0DH, R. Prime/1988.
{Coaches} : 18 x Unnumbered 'ride-in' open coaches.

Thanks go to Charles O'Mahoney for taking time out from operating the railway to host our visit to the loco shed.

Hatfield House Farm Railway, Hatfield (VISIT).

10.25" Gauge {Locos} : 'MIDGET' - 4wPM, Fairweather & Madgin/2001 (on passenger workings) ; 'JOHN GLENN' - 4wPM, Cocks & Fairweather/1994 ; 'RHUDDLAN CASTLE' - 4w-4wDH, Fenlow/1972. NOTE : All three locomotives are Ex-Knebworth Park Miniature Railway - which has now closed.
{Coaches} : 5 x Unnumbered 'ride-in' open coaches.

The party enjoyed a ride behind 'MIDGET' which transpired during our visit was almost a 'cut & shut; locomotive, with one half coming off the front end of 'METEOR
III' & the other half coming off the rear end of 'METEOR VII' - which were two locomotives built by Shepperton Metal Products during the late 1960's/early 1970's. The party was also informed that the locomotive 'EXMOUTH EXPRESS' at Exmouth Fun Park in Devon was constructed in 1978 using the rear end and other parts from 'METEOR III'.
Thanks go to Stuart Madgin for organising & hosting our visit.

Vanstone Woodland Railway, Codicote (VISIT).

10.25" Gauge {Locos} : 'METEOR V' - 2-4w-2PM, Shepperton Metal Products/1970 (on passenger workings) ; 'BOROUGH OF BUXTON' - 2-4w-2DM, Shepperton Metal Products/1968 ; 'SANDHAM CASTLE' - 2-4w-2DM, Shepperton Metal Products/1969 ; 'METEOR IX' - 2-4w-2DM, Shepperton Metal Products/c1971 ; 'VANSTONE' - Steam Outline (body only).
{Coaches} : 6 x Unnumbered 'ride-in' open coaches.
{Wagon} : 1 x Unnumbered wooden open wagon.

NOTE 1) : 'BOROUGH OF BUXTON' from originally named 'METEOR I'.
NOTE 2) : 'METEOR V' came from the now closed Knebworth Park Miniature Railway.
NOTE 3) : 'VANSTONE' was a steam outline loco that was Ex-Buxton Park Railway.

The party enjoyed a ride behind 'METEOR V'.
Thanks go to Stuart Madgin for organising and Tony for hosting our visit.

Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne (VISIT).

Std Gauge {Loco} : 671 'PARADISE EXPRESS' - 0-4-0DH Steam Outline, Ruston 512463/1965. Static display within the children's play area.
The miniature railway had stopped running for the day when the party arrived at about 17.40pm.