Opened 1999 (1999) Track gauge 5 in (127 mm) | Line length 0.75 mi (1.21 km) | |
 | ||
Website www.strawberryminirail.co.uk | ||
The Strawberry Line is a 0.75-mile (1.21 km) length of 5 in (127 mm) gauge railway inside Avon Valley Country Park (near Keynsham). It is Britain's only commercial ground-level 5 in (127 mm) railway. As a conventional ridable miniature railway it provides train rides for visitors to the park (for an additional fare), but it also runs demonstration freight trains using correctly scaled wagons. Driver experience courses are offered in the winter.
Contents
History
The railway was started at the Avon Valley Country Park in May 1999, with the first trains running on a 150 feet (46 m) demonstration track. A trackbed was roughed out in June and the first services ran on the new 900 feet (270 m) track in August 1999. A 60 feet (18 m) tunnel was added in 2003.
The railway
An area is set aside for the coaling and preparation of steam locomotives, including a fire-dropping pit.
The whole railway was resignalled by 2006 with track circuits replacing the treadle-operated signalling system. The signalling recreates the prototypical railway operational scenario, with signals not clearing unless the section ahead, or the intersecting line, is clear.
Steam locomotives
The line has a growing number of steam-powered locomotives. These currently include:
Diesel locomotives
The line also owns several locomotives modelled on diesel prototypes. These are battery-powered.