Dates of operation 1966–Present Length 500m | Track gauge 2 ft (610 mm) | |
The great bush railway at tinkers park sussex
The Great Bush Railway is a private, 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge running round the edge of Tinkers Park, Hadlow Down, Sussex. The railway is operated by the Claude Jessett Trust Company. The line is 500 meters long and has a single station at Hadlow Down.
Contents
- The great bush railway at tinkers park sussex
- Great bush railway uk narrow gauge railway tinkers park cab ride orenstein and koppel 0 6 0 uk
- History
- The line today
- References
Great bush railway uk narrow gauge railway tinkers park cab ride orenstein and koppel 0 6 0 uk
History
The line was laid down by Claude Jessett as an attraction to accompany the yearly steam rallies and as a replacement for an earlier miniature railway that existed around his garden. Locomotives and rolling stock was acquired from Alpha Cement Company and Ludlay and Crowborough Brickworks. Locomotives Alpha and Aminal were used for motive power, the carriages being built from Crowborough supplied brick wagons. As the trackwork extended, Aminal was deemed problematic due to the suspension sprngs being welded up and derailed constantly. Thus ending up out of use. Laterly the coaches were retired and a bogie coach built to take their place. Later joined by three coaches from the Hayling Seaside Railway.
Over time, the track has been extended further and the locomotive fleet expanded. The railway only runs on Tinkers Park events.
The line today
The line runs in a U shape, with Hadlow Down station a few yards apart from the lower sidings. From the station, there is a straight run alongside the "Great Bush" which gives the railway its name, before reaching the locomotive shed, workshop and various sidings. After passing alongside, the line then reaches the Organ Museum Halt. The line then drops into a 1in27 curve situated in a cutting. The cutting being the largest feature on the line, having been dug gradually while the organ museum halt being the end of the line. After the cutting the line has taken a 180 degree turn running alongside another hedge before crossing over an access road between event fields and ending in a pair of sidings.