Twinlakes Park, Melton Mowbray

Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photographs

1st May 2009

Visit 22/02/2009.

The 15” gauge line at Twinlakes Park opened in late October/November 2008. The line is approx 3/4 of a mile long in the form of a terminus to a balloon loop at the far end of the line, where a second station is under construction. The line has a 1 in 58 gradient on the return to the main station, which features a turntable built in the park workshop.

Motive power on the day of my visit was Severn Lamb steam outline 2-6-0DH (works no. 76.3.88) ex-American Adventure, Shipley, Derbys with three coaches from the same source, which had been thoroughly refurbished on-site. The other ex-American Adventure loco (works no. RG.11/86) is on site being overhauled and repainted. The intention is that this will become the main service loco with the other as spare. Five coaches are stored on site in the workshop area, however due to the length of the loop in the terminus station three coaches will be the maximum train length for the foreseeable future. There are no plans for two-train operation.

The driver, a member of park maintenance staff, was very knowledgeable about the equipment in use, and turned out to also be ex- American Adventure with 18 years prior experience with the stock!

Please note that Twinlakes Park is a family attraction and that admission policy is refuse admission to all-adult parties.

A view over the terminus station area. 640x480	Another view over the terminus from behind the turntable. 640x480	The quirky station building, still under construction. 640x480
The turntable, built in the park workshop. 640x480	Severn Lamb 76.3.88 waits to take the first train of the day. 640x480	One of the coaches has been modified by removing several seats, pushchair storage? 640x480
Severn Lamb 76.3.88. 640x480	Severn Lamb 76.3.88. 640x480	Setting off from the station the line swings left. 640x480
Heading down the grade alongside the lakes. 640x480	Heading towards the crossing. 640x480	On the balloon loop a second station is underway. 640x480
Rejoining the other line. 640x480	Alongside the Buffalo ride (alo ex-American Adventure). 640x480	Heading back into the terminus. 640x480
Pulling into the platfom at the end of the trip. 640x480	Uncoupled and forward onto the Turntable. 640x480	Turning Severn Lamb 76.3.88. 640x480
Almost all the way around. 640x480	Heading off the turntable to run around. 640x480	Posed at the loop points. 640x480
Severn Lamb 76.3.88 running around. 640x480	Backing up to the coaches. 640x480	The rather neat coupling bar arrangement. 640x480
This is all we saw of Severn Lamb RG.11/86! 640x481	The second set of coaches in the storage area. 640x480	The train heads over the crossing. 640x480