2010 Timetable now available

Christmas 2009 RMR Trains

A gallery of images is in preparation but, hopefully, these few shots provide a preliminary flavour of what was happening on a chilly Sunday 20th December:

Following her setting the train back to start in dryer conditions and from the western platform end, Joan accelerates a morning train away from Central Station.

A sprinkling of snow adds a seasonal-looking foreground as Joan lifts a lengthy train out of the north western curve and returns passengers to the terminus, to some refreshments and to a meeting with Father Christmas.

Updated Information: Christmas 2009 RMR Trains

Updated Flyer as above in PDF Format (New Window)
Link to Existing Booking Form & Details in PDF Format (New Window)

The 2009 AGM of the Friends of Rhyl Miniature Railway takes place on the afternoon of Sunday November 22nd 2009.  Further details are available form the Secretary, Dave Bell, 22 River Street, Rhyl LL18 1PT; Tel: (01745) 339477.

Newsletter No 18, October 2009

Updated: Timetable

Revised Flyer for: Neighbours In Steam

Featuring RMR 2009 Gala & Celyn Wood Miniature Railway
(Information and Flyer in PDF about latest Daton Video DVD - available from Central Station or Mail Order; document opens in a new window).

New Home Page Picture

Gallery of Images: Autumn Steam Trains in September 2009

We are pleased to offer Christmas RMR Trains for 2009!
Link to Image File & Booking Form (New Window)
Link to Booking Form & Details in PDF Format (New Window)

Gallery of Images: Steam at Eaton Hall, Cheshire
Held on 25.7.2009 & Featuring our Cagney 4-4-0 as a guest

Steam at Eaton Hall, Cheshire - 25.7.2009 & Featuring our Cagney 4-4-0 as a guest

Little Giant Gala Gallery (Spring Bank Holiday Weekend, 23rd - 25th May 2009)

Neighbours In Steam - Featuring RMR 2009 Gala & Celyn Wood Miniature Railway
(Information and Flyer  in PDF about latest Daton Video DVD - available from Central Station or Mail Order; document opens in a new window)

With our locomotives in steam once more for the 2009 season, we invite you to take a trip with us around the lake in pictures!

In a sequence of views taken on May 3rd 2009, Joan approaches and passes the now-cleared site of the former shed building with a short train of De-Luxe carriages and with the Wheelchair Brake bringing up the rear.  Dave Bell was driving and Simon Townsend was this train's guard.

Dave guides Joan around the final curve before returning the train to Central Station.

Inside Central Station, Barnes Atlantic Railway Queen rests as a static exhibit behind a nearly-complete replica bogie tender constructed on site. It has been based very closely on those paired with the well-known Little Giant Class 10 4-4-2s, which were the first locomotives used on the Rhyl Miniature Railway. 

Also under construction is a further De-Luxe carriage with front-screen.  This is intended to lead the second set of coaching stock and which will be out-shopped in the post-war blue livery.

Yet another development to anticipate is the new boiler now under construction elsewhere for Michael.  Meanwhile, the chassis of this Barnes 4-4-2 is undergoing repair with a view to the locomotive's re-entering service during the 2010 season and thus well in time for the line's centenary in 2011. 

April 2009:

Links checked with updates made as necessary on:
Simon Townsend's Links Page
The Miniature Railway Bookshelf

Newsletters Index
Updated with:
Newsletter No 17, April 2009 (PDF Format)

2009 Gala Poster - Please click to enlarge (opens in a new window)

‘Little Giant’ Gala Event, 23^rd to 25^th May 2009 at Rhyl Miniature Railway

This year’s gala event takes the railway back to its roots.

When the railway first opened, in 1911, its locomotives were ‘Little Giant’ class built by the firm Bassett-Lowke. For one weekend only the original locomotive, now named Red Dragon, will be returning to Rhyl in this, its centenary year.

We are also bringing from Cumbria another ‘Little Giant’ locomotive, Synolda, which dates from 1912. The two visiting locomotives will be operating trains along with our own steam locos Joan, built in 1920, and Cagney built in 1910. This will make as old a team of miniature engines as can be seen in steam anywhere.

Trains will start at 10:30am on all three days. There will be a free bus to the event, and, on Saturday, face painting and other attractions.

Since the Autumn, the RMR’s steam locomotive Joan has had its wheels re-tyred; a complex and expensive engineering task.

The charitable trust (Rhyl Steam Preservation Trust), which operates the line has been making progress with its plan to achieve museum accreditation by the end of 2009. The Trust has recently received funding of £2,700 from the Welsh Assembly Government to assist this process.

The Trust is working to restore another of its steam locomotives, Michael, to steam and it is hoped that this will enter service at the 2010 gala. The major task is the construction of a new boiler, which has been ordered for expected delivery by Christmas 2009.

Ends

Press Release - April 2009:

Volunteers at the railway have been busy preparing for the 2009 season, which commences on Good Friday, 10^th April.

Since the Autumn the steam locomotive Joan has had its wheels re-tyred, a complex and expensive engineering task.

The charitable trust (Rhyl Steam Preservation Trust) which operates the line has been making progress with its plan to achieve museum accreditation by the end of 2009. The Trust has recently received funding of £2,700 from the Welsh Assembly Government to assist this process.

On 10^th April the railway is holding an open day for potential new volunteers, from 12 o’clock till 4 o’clock.

If you are aged 18 or over, this is your chance to come and see what is needed to run the oldest miniature railway in Britain. There is a wide range of roles at the railway to suit all people, from driving and guarding the trains, to selling the tickets and gifts in our shop, or as a explainer in our museum. Some jobs are physical (such as track work) but many are not.

For further details of opportunities to join this friendly group contact Justin Bell on 07746 417710.

Ends.

Updated: Timetable

Includes: Access Statement for Rhyl Miniature Railway (New window)
 

Synolda (above), Red Dragon and Katie met up at The Eaton Hall Railway in August 2008.

Click here for Gallery of Images

‘Little Giant’ Gala 2009

The railway’s Gala Weekend in 2009 will be held on 23rd to 25th May, again coinciding with the start of ‘Rhyl Week’. The visiting locomotives next year will be Synolda from the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, and Red Dragon from the Windmill Farm Railway.

There is also talk of organising a further Community event at Marine Lake early in August 2009.

Your Railway Needs You!

The 2008 season has been very good for us in many ways, but lately we have lost several of our most regular volunteers.

To see whether you would like to help us at the railway we are holding a Volunteers’ Open Day on Good Friday next year, so that you can see all the jobs which are available on our railway.

You could be a train driver, or guard, or sell the tickets, or work on restoring the locos, or there’s always something to clean, polish or paint or even some track
work. So come along on 10th April 2009 from 12 till 4, and have some fun keeping the oldest miniature railway running.

 

August 2008: Site revisions including this What's New Index Page & Newsletters Index

Steam at Eaton Hall, 9 August 2008 - Click here for Gallery of Images
 

On sale from Central Station Booking Office on operating days.