Photo courtesy of the Friends of Poole Park Railway
Poole Park Railway
All aboard! Our railway engine ‘Howard’ and his new 32-person capacity, wheelchair & pushchair accessible, dog-friendly carriages will take you on a leisurely ride around the freshwater lake, happily tooting as you go.
Earlier this year Howard took some time out for a service and mini-makeover, ready for the summer season, and has now been returned to us in time for the Easter holidays, resplendent in a new green coat.
In general the service will be operating throughout the year; during the spring/summer season we aim for a daily service operating between 10am-4.30pm. During the colder, wetter months the service is likely to be less regular.
We recommend you check the Friends of Poole Park Railway Facebook group page for regular on-site service updates, especially on poor weather days.
Wheelchair accessible
Dog friendly (no charge)
Ticket Prices
Standard ticket £3.50 · 2 yrs & under Free
Family ticket £13.50
(max 2 adults & 3 children)
Timetable
Please see Friends of Poole Park Railway Facebook group for regular railway service updates & photos
Running times are subject to weather conditions & volunteer availability
Call for volunteers
We are always keen to make contact with volunteer drivers, guards and platform staff, no experience necessary, training provided. If you are interested in joining the friendly team in the park please come along and chat with the Supervisor at the Railway Station (10am – 4.30pm), or send us an email at poolepkrailway@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Thank you
About the Poole Park Railway
A railway service has been running under private management in Poole since April 1949, when it was set up by George Vimpany of Southern Miniature Railways Ltd with the steam locomotive ‘Vanguard’. The attraction was a great success right from the start with long queues forming to take a ride. In the 1970s it converted to a motor driven locomotive in keeping with the times.
The service was suspended in 2018 following a number of service interruptions and personnel issues, and BCP Council took the running of the railway in-house. In October 2022 it was re-opened to much celebration, with diesel engine ‘Howard’ running on a newly laid 10¼ in (260 mm) gauge track, and with a new Engine Shed to call home.
The new green & yellow livery pays homage to the Southern Railway that operated in this area from 1923 to 1947.
The railway is now managed by council-employed Supervisors and an enthusiastic team of volunteers.
The Southern Miniature Railway (SMR) in the 1960s