Open for public running  

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7 1/4" Gauge Class 20 905 in trainload Grey livery as per 'Harry Needle Railroad Company'

................and Great Western Railway Thirlestain Hall in full GWR livery.

Sunday morning 9am, very busy at the steaming bays

Timetable

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!

Full circuit now open

Read on...........................

A Trip Around the Circuit. Your train will depart from Harvesters Station, passing over the parks main road at "Woods Crossing" which is normally controlled by traffic warning lights and drop arm barriers, passing Old Oak Yard signal box on the left, passengers will now see the locomotive yard , carriage and wagon storage, and steaming bays. Your train is now climbing towards the top or " North gate" were the line reduces to a single track main line, this is our first look at the woodland and pathways on the right, the line curves around to the right at "Sandy Curve", so named because of the sand that has been dug out by the badgers making their sets. Once again the line climbs up the bank to the left and through the cutting before the scenery opens out to lightly wooded pastures, the line is now falling and we may have a little increase of speed before the train slows for "Picnic Junction". Here the line braches off left towards Far Leys via "Picnic Junction Halt" which is the station for trains going north and passengers wishing to alight at the picnic area, but our train will continue down to the right over the walkers crossing to the main station of "Picnic Green" This, when completed will allow passenger to break their journey for a short time. Our driver will proceed through the lone platform where the line runs parallel with the park road for approximately 1/4 of a mile curving to the right at "Kerby bend" with a falling gradient. This is where you can wave to the less fortunate folk that have to walk. The lights will now be flashing to stop the traffic as our driver whistles and opens the throttle for the climb over the "Lay-by road" crossing and "Baily`s Bridge" on a rising grade through "Walter's meadow" to "Lakeside" foot path crossing, our progress is announced by our driver sounding the locos whistle as a warning of the trains approach. As we burst over the crossing, to the left is a panoramic view of Bodymoor Heath Water. Our train will slow down for "Woodcock bridge", a rumble of wheels on rails over the girders gives a view of our destination across the water to the right. With a watery view now on both sides we cross the lakeside embankment, passing the waving pedestrians going to feed the ducks and geese as we whistle again for the station path crossing. We round the curved station approach into platform 1a. The train in front whistles to depart and our driver applies the brakes to the "All Change" from the platform staff.

Should we have another ride??

Why not.

7  1/4 inch gauge Echills wood railway society

Echills Wood Railway

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.

 

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 01926498705

                                                                                                                                                    

   Honorary secretary, Jeff Stevens  E-mail: jeff.stevens4@btopenworld.com

General dogsbody and website, Simon Lapworth.  simonlap@ntlworld.com