History
In February 1999 Mike Bass and a team of volunteers moved onto the site at the Avon Valley
Country Park. Their aim was to construct a "double track" main line 5" gauge ground level railway.
In May 1999 a five year plan was drawn up and this plan was completed by October 1999, with
men working 12-14 hours a day.
Most of the results of this plan can be seen within this web site. And I hope you enjoy navigating
around the site.
Initially, Train rides were given on a short length of portable track (150ft/50mtrs) laid on the green
field site, using a Warship Class (42) Locomotive "D824 Highflyer" and two aristocraft carriages.
By late June 1999 the new track bed had been excavated, and nearly 600 tons of limestone tipped
and consolidated to form the base.
Prefabricated track panels (normally 10ft lengths), which were made on site, were soon laid and
by August 1999 the outer circuit, some 900 ft in length, was opened for public running.
A Portakabin, for railway historians the ex Wage office at Old Oak Common, was brought onto
site, and this formed the basis of the station building. A new tiled roof being built over the cabin
and station area.
A derelict Turntable was purchased, restored and modified then installed with direct access via a
ramp to the locomotive shed. This certainly made the job of stabling locomotives and rolling
stock much easier than had previously been the case. The previous method to stable these items
was to nearly dismantle them completely each night after the park had closed. Which took a
considerable amount of time.
Track laying and fencing took the remainder of the year, until eventually the double track "inner circuit"
was completed within a secure site.
A period of consolidation followed until in 2002 work commenced on building a 60 ft tunnel. This feature
has certainly proved popular with our passengers of all ages and was finally completed in 2003. A
commemorative Brick can be found mounted on the front portal.
Meanwhile, in the workshop the team had been busy producing freight rolling stock, until over 30
vehicles were available to run as a demonstration goods train. Some of these wagons are illustrated
on our wagons pages (under The Railway - click left link). We also can make these wagons to order.
You may contact Mike Bass for further details. The goods train can run when during the season when
staff levels permit.
To house the above mentioned wagons a large shed was constructed, adjacent to the locomotive
yard. A smaller shed is used for the storage of special vehicles and driving trucks.
Work is now nearing completion on our Signal Box. The signal box is largely based on that at
Parsons Tunnel in Devon. It houses a 36 lever frame and will be responsible for controlling all
movements in the Station and locomotive yard area, when we are fully staffed. However the signal box
system will be capable of being a fully automated operation.
A small picnic area is included, adjacent to the railway, complete with rustic tables, again this is very
popular with families, especially those with smaller children.
To remember your visit to the railway a souvenir shop/ticket office is situated at the railway entrance,
for your connivence.
The locomotive fleet continues to expand. At present there is one operational steam locomotive, with
5 more nearing completion.
The Diesel fleet comprises of 10 operational locomotives, that are all battery operated. Three more are
nearing completion and a further three that are more long term projects.
All staff are volunteers and I thank them for their assistance, our team are always available to answers
questions and are always willing to be helpful.
Mike Bass
Owner
Strawberry Line Miniature Railway