Clevedon miniature railway to be restored - ongoing developments

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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Salthouse Fields in Clevedon is popular among residents and visitors

A council is hoping to redevelop a miniature railway which has been unused for years.

The Clevedon miniature railway which loops around the Salthouse Fields next to the Marine Lake opened in 1952.

North Somerset Council wants a developer to reopen the electric steam outline locomotive, build a new shed, manage a food and drink site and create a mini-golf and children's play area.

Councillor Mike Solomon said: "Clevedon residents have told us how popular and important the miniature railway is and this a great example of the council listening to those voices, working with leisure providers and the voluntary and community sectors to ensure we deliver together for the benefit of our residents."

Salthouse Fields is a popular destination for residents and visitors, offering a base to start walks into surrounding woodland areas, along the coastal path and over to Clevedon Marine Lake.

The appetite to reopen the leisure attraction could have been spurred on by the fact that the Portishead to Bristol railway line is set to be reopened in a major project costing £182m, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Speaking at a North Somerset Council meeting where councillors signed off the scheme, Clevedon West councillor Luke Smith said he hoped the Salthouse miniature railway could reopen.

Council leader Mike Bell said: "I think if we can do anything to get the miniature railway back at Salthouse Fields we should do so."

Developers could acquire a 35-year lease for the site starting in spring 2026.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Family to restore 'iconic' Clevedon miniature railway

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Emma Coles will now run the miniature railway, years after she first spent time there

A miniature railway is going to be restored by the family that used to run its "iconic" Rio Grande train.

The miniature railway, which loops around the Salthouse Fields next to Clevedon's marine lake, opened in 1952 but has been left unused in recent years.

The family of Len Harvey, who ran the railway's Rio Grande train, has won a bid to get it running again. Emma Coles and her family have been appointed operators by North Somerset Council after a competitive process.

Coles said: "I'm excited to show my vision of what it can be like and what it was, to bring it back to Clevedon for children to enjoy it the way I did when I was a child."

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Emma Coles was just eight years old when the Rio Grande train first arrived at Salthouse Fields

Coles was just eight years old when the Rio Grande train first arrived at Salthouse Fields - brought there by her father. "I remember just being with Dad when it was delivered very vividly," she said. "The Evening Post came and the headline in the Evening Post was my dad's new train. It was a very special day for my family."

The distinctive steam locomotive was one of several miniature engines to run on the railway over the years.

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The family plans to restore a "fully operational" Rio Grande miniature railway

Council cabinet member Mike Solomon said he was "thrilled" the family were taking on the railway. "Their personal connection to the railway and their plans for improving the site align perfectly with our vision for a vibrant, welcoming seafront," he said.

In addition to planning a "restored and fully-operational" Rio Grande miniature railway, the Coles family plans to create a station cafe, redevelop the adventure golf course and refresh the children's rides area.

[infoman]

https://somersetleveller.co.uk/news/tools-and-equipment-stolen-from-clevedon-miniature-railway-site/

[Chris from Nailsea]

The developments, and discussion of them here on the Coffee Shop forum, continue - so I have merged a couple of topics into this one definitive reference.