Access Statement for Rhyl Miniature Railway

Introduction

Ours is the oldest miniature railway in the UK, now run by Rhyl Steam Preservation Trust, a registered charity. Almost all of the staff who you will meet during your visit are volunteers.

In 2007 we opened our new facility 'Central Station', which complies with with all the latest standards for accessibility, at the same time we adapted one of our carriages to enable visitors in wheelchairs to enjoy a train ride.

We aim to continually improve our facilities and welcome feedback from our visitors.
  
Pre-Arrival

• The easiest way to find out about our facilities is from our website, where this access statement is available to be downloaded. We also produce leaflets, which are available from tourist information centres and other outlets in the immediate area around us.
 
• We welcome enquiries by telephone, but for an immediate response these are best made outside office working hours. During the daytime we are sometimes available on the mobile number which is given out on our answerphone message. We also have email and fax facilities.

• We are located at the Marine Lake Park in the west end of Rhyl, 200 yards behind the promenade. By car from Rhyl Town Centre, follow the A548 towards Abergele, which will take you along the Wellington Road through the west end of the town. After Aldi to the left, look for the white on brown signs (left then right) to the lake car park.

• By car from the west, cross the blue bridge, then at the roundabout turn right towards the town centre; our train is then immediately on the right and the car park is signed.

• By foot, be prepared for a 20 minute walk (approx one mile) from the town centre or from the Central Promenade. 

• Frequent buses from the town centre towards Towyn and Abergele can call directly next to our station. Taxis are always available from the rank next to the main line station in Rhyl town centre.

 
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

• There is plentiful free car parking in the Marine Lake car park. Visitors should follow the white on brown signs along Westbourne Avenue, then enter the Marine Lake site over the speed bumps, underneath the height barrier and over our railway track. The shortest walk to our station is from the farthest car park spaces, to the right from the car park entrance.

• By walking over the concrete area towards the lake, you are sure to see 'Central Station', which is located on the north side of the lake next to the main road, approx 150yds from the car park. Most passengers ascend the steps to our platform, but there is also an accessible pathway a little further on. 

• Pedestrians can, if they wish, enter the site underneath the blue arch, and there is also a DDA compliant entrance at the back of our building onto the pavement of the main road. This is useful for pedestrians from the Towyn direction, or for visitors arriving from the bus stop nearby.

Main Entrance, Reception & Ticketing Area

• The facilities of 'Central Station' are all on one level, and can be accessed from any of three entrance points which are open when trains are running. Most visitors head for the train itself, and then enter the building along the platform.

• There is a charge to ride on the train, but access to the station, museum and toilets is free.

 

• The building is fitted with induction loops, and there is also an amplifier at the ticket office counter to assist customers who might be hard of hearing. The ticket office counter is at waist height. The ticket office staff will normally be the main point of customer contact, and will do all they can to assist visitors with particular needs.

Public Areas - Hall, Stairs, Landing, Corridors etc

• The main platform is 3 metres deep and is the main circulation area of 'Central Station'. Seating is available for those who just want to watch the trains.

• Dogs are welcome, in the building and on the trains. Water bowls can be provided upon request, if they are not already in place.

• The edge of the platform is signified by tactile paving. The door into the WC area has a tactile and braille sign.

• At the back of the platform and inside the museum are display panels with very large text size.

Public WCs

A door from the platform leads to the communal washroom area. Along the right hand side is a long trough with press taps for washing hands. Beyond that is an accessible WC equipped to all the latest standards, including an alarm pull cord (it reports to the wash area and to the ticket office). In this WC there is also a baby changing unit (not in the transfer space).

• From the communal wash area doors lead to two female WCs, and also to a separate gents section. In here there is a urinal and a WC, and also a small sink for washing hands.

• The doors in the wash area all have tactile and braille signs.

 
Shop

• The railway's souvenir guide book is available from the ticket office window. We sell a wide range of books and gifts aimed at the younger visitor, which are displayed behind the glass screens of the ticket office. We can also provide tea, coffee, soft drinks, confectionery and ice cream. 

• All of our goods are sold over the ticket office counter, which is at waist height. Prices are clearly displayed, and our volunteers are on hand to answer any questions which customers may ask.

 
Leisure Facilities

• A door from the platform leads into the 'Albert Barnes Room', our museum. It tells the story of our railway, and is named after its one time manager and builder of its locomotives. Indeed one of his engines, named BILLY, is displayed here.

• The museum is on the same level as the platform, and there is space at the end of each side of the room for wheelchairs to be turned. Small exhibits are displayed inside a case, which has shelves at all levels from knee height to shoulder height.

• At one end of the museum is our touch screen audio visual machine, which has a slave monitor overhead. The touch screen is mounted on a wooden pedestal of dimensions specifically designed for wheelchair access.

Outdoor Facilities

• There is a patio area between 'Central Station' and the lake path. Seating is available both here and nearby where teas or ice creams can be enjoyed when the sun is shining.

Train Rides

• We can operate various different trains which each have their own characteristics. Most of volunteers are pretty friendly, and will help out to reduce difficulties of access to the train whenever they can.

• If your visit is on a peak day it is likely that our 'Milnes' rolling stock will be running. These vehicles have seats all facing the direction of travel, and without any step from platform level.

• At the back of this train will be the coach which we adapted for passengers in wheelchairs. This has a fold-down ramp to the platform, and along the vehicle floor is a locking system which can be used to secure a wheelchair from being able to move whilst the train is in motion. If you intend to use this facility, please seek assistance from the train guard, who will be pleased to help.

• Sometimes we may operate our Cagney locomotive with a train of two small passenger coaches. A step down from the platform is required to these vehicles. We can, subject to a short delay, attach our wheelchair coach to the back of this train should it be required.

• Midweek and on Saturdays we may operate our electric tramcar. This vehicle is enclosed, and its doors have a low entrance from the platform. Occasionally, some customers do have difficulty accessing this vehicle. We can, subject to a short delay, attach one of our other coaches to the back of the tramcar should this be required.

 
Additional Information

• Having three entrances all on one level, 'Central Station' can be evacuated quickly, to the assembly area adjacent to Marine Lake.

• It is against the law to smoke inside 'Central Station', as is the case with all public buildings in Wales.

 
Contact Information

 
Site Address: Central Station, Marine Lake, Wellington Road, Rhyl LL18 1LN
  
Admin Address: 10 Cilnant, Mold, Flintshire CH7 1GG.

 
Telephone:  01352 759109 (answerphone during working hours)

 
Fax:  01352 751198

 
Email:  stownsen@globalnet.co.uk

 
Website:  www.rhylminiaturerailway.co.uk

 
Grid reference:  SH999807

 
Hours of operation:  The railway is open from 11am (or earlier) to 4pm (or later) every weekend from Easter to the end of September, also on Bank Holiday Mondays and daily during the Summer School Holidays. 

 
Future Plans

• During the next 12 months we will endeavour to offer our volunteers disability awareness training. We would welcome more volunteers, especially those who may have skills to improve the range of access which we offer to our visitors.

 
Contact Telephone and Email Address

We welcome your feedback to help us continually improve; if you have any comments please phone 01352 759109 or email stownsen@globalnet.co.uk.