Steve's post on the restoration of Whorlton Suspension Bridge over the River Tees led on to the Whorlton Lido Miniature Railway which operated in the 1970's.
I had assumed it had long gone, but no back in 2012 it was literally dug out of its slumbers, repaired renovated and added to and in now the Thorpe Light Railway.
Plenty to read about it
here, which no doubt I will do, but a few pictures will give a flavour.
Original | Restored |
Opening on Good Friday 1971 the 15? gauge
Whorlton Lido Railway was another attraction to
Whorlton Lido, a popular destination for family days
out in the North East. Built by professional platelayers
for site owner Raymond Dunn the well-engineered
770 yard line has its station on a straight section,
with a balloon loop on each end.
There is a 33 yard tunnel in the eastern loop. | Open days are limited to 6 per year. Passenger trains are usually worked by a Severn Lamb ‘Rio Grande’ steam-outline diesel, which used to work in Ireland with the three carriages on the railway.
 |
Visiting Flying Scotsman at Whorlton Station
Bridge in the background | “Rio Grande” in the cutting, on approach to the tunnel |