Basildon Miniature Railway – Official Opening This Sunday!

[Neilandrewhall]

For anyone in or around Essex, you might be interested to know that Basildon Miniature Railway in Pitsea is back in action after being out of service for nearly 8 years! Sadly, the previous group running it let things go downhill and the place ended up closing. But fast forward to now a chap called Daniel has taken the reins, worked incredibly hard to restore it, and the transformation has been amazing. Although the official reopening is this Sunday, they’ve been running trains for about a week already… and it’s been super busy! Families, railway enthusiasts, and locals have all been turning up to show their support, and the atmosphere has been brilliant. If you’re nearby, it’s well worth popping down whether you’re into miniature railways or just fancy a wholesome day out. It’s a great little line, and it’s fantastic to see it thriving again after so long.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Web story on the BBC recently. The 'Daniel' mentioned above by @Neilandrewhall is a Daniel Harrison from Rayleigh. Line open again after being closed some (six?) years. Tickets are £4 each.

Basildon miniature railway reopens after six-year absence

Volunteers have restored the tracks, which had overgrown at the country park.

www.bbc.co.uk

Extracts...

Daniel Harrison, 51, who owns the Basildon Miniature Railway company, hopes to run a service every day of the school holiday this summer.

"When I took it over, it was in a deplorable state, you could hardly see most of the track," explained Mr Harrison, who has spent about £50,000 on the refurbishment.

"It was overgrown and there were lots of rotten sleepers - there was quite a lot to do!"

 

[duffield]

Google streetview has some views going back to 2012 showing the northern loop in various states of overgrowth.

 

[ABDeltic]

Is the whole line open now? I las visited in October 2018 and the section to the park entrance was overgrown with weeds but the other half of the line was running.

 

[duffield]

Is the whole line open now? I las visited in October 2018 and the section to the park entrance was overgrown with weeds but the other half of the line was running.

Quote from the BBC article linked above:

More extensive work is needed before the northern loop line towards the main entrance can open.

 

[ABDeltic]

Quote from the BBC article linked above:

Thank you for that. Good that it's reopened though.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Is the whole line open now? I las visited in October 2018 and the section to the park entrance was overgrown with weeds but the other half of the line was running.

Hi it's open to the marina only but not able to get off. It's a good little ride! I volunteer on it. They have two locos from Hastings miniature railway.