Acton Miniature Railway

The Acton Miniature Railway was open for passengers on 8^th/9^th October2011, as part of the Museum Depot's Family Weekend. The 1938 tube stock train (the LRT) was in service with new batteries, giving it more availability, along with the "A" class Metropolitan Railway steam loco. The third train comprised two steam locomotives: "Alison" (an 0-4-2T that has operated here before) and "Lulubelle" an 0-4-0 loco with tender, which is quite powerful for its size. Between these, there were two 3-seater "Pullman" coaches from the Great Cockcrow Railway (which is where these two loco also come from). For most of both days, "Michael Faraday" was on standby with the AMR's own coaches, but it did operate a few services, mostly whilst steam locos were being prepared or cleaned down, but also during lunch breaks!

We carried 843 passengers in 180 trains over the two days (which is better than the average for more recent events) and such is the railway's popularity that we had several new volunteers on both days. Later that month, a team of volunteers set to work upon the railway. Some insulating rail joiners were repositioned and a new path was loosely laid. The path will be redone with a proper sand base, but at least we now know how well it goes in.

Most recently, a large number of volunteers (and some of their friends) were at the AMR on December 10^th for a seasonal steam-up: a nice chance to operate the railway in a relaxing manner. We had two electric, and two steam, locomotives, the latter two both working with goods wagons loaned from the Great Cockcrow Railway. For smooth passenger operation, we usually operate a maximum of three trains, but having four meant that the signalmen had more to think about; and there was no set routine to be followed! Before we could run any trains, however, we set to work scrubbing the track to get rid of the insulating surface that had formed, preventing any of the track circuits from working at all. We also cleaned the wheels on one of the trains - whilst in motion, of course! Train detection improved considerably as a result!

The Acton Miniature Railway will be operating at the Depot Open Weekend on 10^th/11^th March.