About Our Railway
Opening in 2025, the Severn Beach Miniature Railway is set to bring back a slice of history while creating an exciting new attraction for families, railway enthusiasts, and visitors of all ages. Decades ago, Severn Beach was home to a beloved miniature railway that delighted generations of locals and visitors alike. While that railway is no longer in operation, we are thrilled to rekindle its spirit and create a modern experience that honors its legacy.
Nestled in the picturesque coastal village of Severn Beach, this new railway will offer scenic train rides, family-friendly play areas, and plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Our mission is to create a unique destination that combines nostalgia, education, and fun while celebrating the charm of miniature railways.
Whether you’re a local eager to reconnect with a cherished past or a traveler excited to explore something new, the Severn Beach Miniature Railway promises to be a must-visit destination. Stay tuned for updates as we bring this dream to life and let the magic of miniature railways live on!
Follow Our Progress
Yet another drawing required. This time details of the two gate crossing.
Just finished last drawing of half size GWR signals I'm going to build for the railway.
That's another drawing complete showing the signals we are building for the railway. These probably won't be introduced until next year as groundframe levers need to be installed and rodding to the points. The signals will be interlocked with the points to prevent conflicting moves being set up. I have produced a design for 1/3 Rd size economical facing point locks based on the Princes & Langley design. This allows for the points to be bolted, operated and relocked all with one lever. The signals will be prevented from being cleared by mechanical detection fitted between points and signals. I have planned a complete signalling design for the railway, not only does this make it safer but add a real sense of a big railway in miniature.
My wife and I had a great day out today, I've been going to the Brecon Beacons since I was a child. One of my favourite places is the Brecon Mountain Railway. I've seen this railway development over the last 45 years into the amazing tourist attraction it is today. It's creator the late Tony Hills was a friend of mine and what an inspiration he was to me. Anyway here's some pics and videos from today.
Well I've had a go at another watercolour, some have asked me what the railway will look like overall. I thought I would try to do a birds eye view of the railway. This is my first attempt and the master at this type of work and my inspiration is my dear friend, Rob Bennett. Rob is an amazing artist and he runs a business called "Busy Bodies " check his website out its amazing.
BBC updates on S.B.M.R.
Severn Beach Miniature Railway opening date postponed
www.bbc.co.uk
The railway, originally planned for Easter, will now open in July.
I recently aquired a number of BR(M) locomotive headlamps in poor condition. These will be used on our locomotives and they have a red drop in lens so they can be used a tail lamp too. This is the first one I've just finished restoring.
On Monday Dan and David collected the two Severn Lamb carriages from their 10 container storage hibernation. These are owned by Robert Giles , Robert and his later father ran the Clevedon miniature railway for many years. These carriages were built for the line including the Ruo- Grande steam outline locomotive. We carried out an overhaul around 13 years ago when the set went to a new line at Puxton Park near WSM. We regauged the set from 9 1/2" gauge as built in 1976 to 10 1/4". We will need to give these carriages a through clean and repaint ready for service.
Well this is my second attempt at painting a scene of how the North End station "STRIDE HALT" will look. I'm quite pleased but I've got a long way to go.
I've just finished this scale drawing of the ticket office/ souvenir shop. The building is sectional and will be built in our workshops at Caldicot . Once finished and primed it will be brought to site and bolted together. The roof is always a time consuming part as I will need to slate it. This is a job I've done many time in past and is very enjoyable I'm now on the lookout for a around 2500 slates for engine/carriage shed and this building. It's an ornate design I've come up with which will look very pleasing when finished.
Exciting News!!! We are attending Castle Coombe Steam Rally this may 17th and 18th May. We will lay out 250 feet of track and will be giving train rides both days. So if you want a fun day out this rally has it all....including the SEVERN BEACH MINIATURE RAILWAY !
SEVERN BEACH MINIATURE RAILWAY.
At last I've finished my second drawing of the south end station. Once this has been scanned into a digital file I will station the watercolour part to bring it to life. This drawing was very technically challenging for me but I'm pleased with the results.
Heres the first of our official merchandise for the railway. We've had a batch of mugs produced and are selling them for £6.75 plus £2.50 postage and packing. The mugs are printed both sides and are of excellent quality and like many other items sourced from local suppliers these were produced in Severn Beach! All the proceeds from the sale of the mugs will go to helping build the railway. We have other items planned too. Please contact us if you would like one. We can take card payments over the phone , cash and bank transfers.
Please call
Joe on 01291 790354.
SEVERN BEACH MINIATURE RAILWAY UPDATES.
From myself and all the team we would like to say a big thankyou to our parish council who overwhelming voted to submit the planning application for the promenade gardens and of course the miniature railway. A big thankyou to Peter Tyzak our chairman and Nick Davies for all their hard work too.We would like to thank everyone involved including South Gloucestershire Council. A big thankyou to our amazing planning consultant Rob Duff of Earlsfield Town Planning for his assistance in moving this forward. Today I met with the lovely Jackie Slade who carried out the RTK GPS survey of the site and added the miniature railway with pinpoint accuracy onto the ordnance map. This is vital for the planning application. Here are the plans of the line.
