| Echills observer pages |
HOW TO FIND US, OUR LOCATION, FOLLOW THIS LINK.
Follow this link to help us fundraise, won't cost you to look.
Home to the largest 7 1/4" gauge locomotive running on UK rails at present, we have the use of the EAR garratt, Mount kilimanjaro,
kindly on loan by Paul Norman of P.N.P railways
Photo courtesy of Jeff Cogan, Ken Bull.
Please feel free to send us your comments or suggestions about our new service to simon@ewr.org.uk
Summer timetable.
Trains will be running every Sunday from now until winter,
staffing and weather permitting.
Click on 'observer pages' link above for weekly updates.
Far leys station official opening. 15/05/10
Photo courtesy of Dale Williams
Timetable
Every Sunday from Easter to September 10:30 to 17:00 ish
Bank Holidays Saturday,Sunday and Mondays 10:30 to 17:00 ish.
also during School Holidays, Wednesday + Fridays 10:30 to whenever
Subject to the availability of train crews and staff.
We must now have one of the most picturesque miniature railways in the country, we have put many hours into making this a very special journey and we've not finished yet!
New circuit to Far Leys now open
Fare will be £1.50 for the full circuit,
children under 2 years of age travel free with a paying adult.
Single fare of £1 is available from Harvester's to Far Leys or by purchasing a ticket from the guard at Far Leys station to get you to Harvester's.
7 1/4 inch gauge Echills wood railway society
7 1/4 inch Gauge miniature railway
Established in 1972 at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
Re-established in 2005 at Kingsbury water park, Bodymoor heath road, Kingsbury
We are based at Kingsbury water park Bodymoor heath road, Kingsbury
Looking for more things to do? try the local service guide here
http://www.localserviceguide.com
Who are we?
The railway is operated by a group of 7 1/4 " gauge railway enthusiasts and takes its name from the word 'Echill' derived from 'Eche being an old English word meaning "a piece added or set aside", which dates back as far as 1000 AD hence the name Echills wood = a small copse that has been set aside.
The society was established in 1972 and had its base within the grounds of the National agricultural center at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. Due to the Royal agricultural society of England's site development and reorganisation there was no longer room to accommodate a railway there.
The group were offered a site by the Warwickshire County Council, Country parks department at the Kingsbury water park which has been accepted. The recreation park at present attracts approximately 300,000 visitors a year. We hope to increase the numbers by at least 30,000 when the railway is completed.
Construction
Our construction is based upon a phased development due to our financial situation. Should funds become available then this will enhance the building programme by allowing us to purchase more materials, thus accelerating the completion date. The railway will consist of a circular main line, single track from Harvesters station, (adjacent to the main car park) up to the 'picnic area' station and returning via a scenic route to Harvesters station (Phase one) From the picnic station, a double track main line will proceed north, terminating alongside the Far Leys car park. (Phase two) The storage for carriages and engines, workshops and loco maintenance areas will be adjacent to the road, Harvesters end.
Public service
When in full public service, the railway will operate a circular tour with optional change at picnic station for trains to Far Leys car park. This having a combined distance of 2 Kilometers and will be covered using a variety of 7 1/4 inch gauge steam, diesel and electric locomotives with purpose built vacuum braked coaches. During busy periods we aim to carry over 1000 passengers daily.
Care will be taken with all aspects of the railway image from both functional and aesthetic considerations and correct railway practice will be followed wherever appropriate. We believe that this is the only way to arrive at a safe and efficient railway. The same care will be taken over abstract details like operating practices and rule books. The miniature railway Health and Safety guidance will be operated for the benefit of the traveling public and railway staff. The railway will be equipped with automatic colour light and semaphore signaling, interlocked with trackside train control and will feature level crossings with full protective road signals operated by the passage of trains, working signal boxes, tunnel, stations, etc
The railway will operate during the year and provide a public service as part of the parks facilities, other times by request, for educational visits in conjunction with the park rangers special events, birthday parties and hobbyist open weekends. The railway will be operated by it's creators for their enjoyment and to display the hobby to the public, also allowing the members to have a more comprehensive railway than would be possible in ones garden. 7 1/4 gauge railways are a developing interest and hobby open to all ages worldwide. When completed, the rail network within the park will be one of the largest and most scenic in the midlands and be able to accommodate virtually any 7 1/4 gauge locomotive regardless of scale.
The Echills Wood Railway would like to thank the following for their help and assistance in developing our site at Kingsbury Water Park.
DAVID WATSON TRANSPORT Norfolk & Stafford
J.K. Timber & fencing Rugby Tel 01788 522662
SITA Trust, see story at http://www.sitatrust.org.uk/news/News1167
I.D. Fencing Warwick, fencing contractors to the EWR
TARMAC Aggregates & Asphalts, suppliers of ballast to the EWR
All staff & management of the W.C.C. Countryside and Recreation Dept.
Pro Mill Engineering Ltd Bodymoor Heath.
A.B. Hire Ltd Nuneaton.
Building & Plumbing Supplies Leamington Spa.
Wolseley Drain Centre. Leamington Spa.
K.S.D. Nuneaton.
Ruttle Plant Hire. Birmingham.
KW Welding Curdworth (Sponsors of Woodcock bridge)
1st Direct Gloucestershire.
R.M.C.Western Sutton Coldfield.
Grangewood Fencing Supplies Ltd
Waste Recycling Environment Ltd ( WREN )
Warwickshire Environmental Trust Ltd
The group are actively looking for sponsorship in the form of building materials, steel, electrical equipment as goods in kind to assist with the development of this attraction and public facility, If your company can help please do not hesitate to contact us.
For further details, contact Jeff Stevens on 01926 498705
Honorary
secretary, Jeff Stevens E-mail: jeff.stevens4@btopenworld.com
General dogsbody and website, simon@ewr.org.uk