A little piece of railway magic

For while the big attraction of Preston Park is just across a field, comparatively few people are even aware of the impressive track system laid out nearby.

The group wants to change all that. Members want a higher profile and - most of all - some new blood.

Membership is currently about 28, but less than half are regularly active. Also, most are retired and at the upper end of the age scale.

"We really could do with some young people willing to get stuck in with some of the harder tasks," said spokesman Mr Brian Turner.

"We want people willing to do anything. No knowledge of trains or railways is needed. For example, a gardener might like to come and help us with the landscaping. There is lots to do."

The small gauge railway is something of a hidden gem.

The three-acre site is a revelation when you reach it after driving down a rough track from the main Yarm Road.

It comes complete with station, feature bridge and sidings, all lovingly constructed by group members. Those who do know about it cannot wait to come back for more.

A group of 150 pupils from Mandale school in Stockton recently enjoyed free rides on the tiny trains.

"They had a whale of a time and some were in tears when they had to get off," said Mr Turner. "That's the general reaction from children and adults alike."

The small gauge has a close connection with the history of passenger-carrying railways.

The rails lie close to the track-bed of George Stephenson's historic Stockton & Darlington Railway line, which is preserved as a footpath through Preston Park and commemorated as a heritage trail.

Chance and good fortune played a big part in the small gauge railway's link with the past. In 1993, the new Stockton council appointed a Preston Park working party to recommend developments for the museum and park area.

By chance, a small group who owned a few locomotives and a portable 7in gauge track were seeking a site for a permanent layout.

A meeting was held in Preston Hall museum at which the councillors enjoyed a ride on a piece of track put down for the occasion.

A deal was struck. Some unused land was available and there was also an old building which could be used as a workshop or engine shed.

The group was given three years to raise funds and build a working railway. But members have surpassed that by laying a quarter-mile circuit and offering free rides to children and their parents within 18 months.

Most of the work was done by members, with valuable help from many local firms.

Members pay an annual subscription to be in the railway group and the rest of the group's income comes from hauling passengers at 50p for twice around the track.

Stockton council provides the land at a peppercorn rent and so far, all income has gone on building up the site, which has a public right of way through it.

The track in use now is a 1,500ft ground-level circuit of dual gauge with a passing loop at the station.

Points are operated electronically from the signal box and ticket office.

It takes about 2 minutes to complete a circuit of the main track travelling at the 6mph speed limit.

The engine which provides the popular rides took about three years to build and belongs to the club itself. Other locos belong to individual members who come and run them on the track. The group has two steam engines and five electric.

Members include a British Rail signalman who has worked on the North York Moors Railway and one woman. She is nine months old and the grand-daughter of one of the members!

The group is open to anyone to join and woman members would be more than welcome.

"There is lots to do even without engineering skills," said Mr Turner. "More or less anyone could drive the electric train.

"Steam is a bit different as people need to know how to fire a boiler and prepare the train for action. It is a living thing."

The group would love to get more schools involved in its activities, possibly setting up a contest to build an engine with the winners getting a cup or a shield.

"Schools could get an awful lot of benefit from this," said Mr Turner.

From Easter to October the site is open every Sunday for public rides and at bank holidays and for special events - such as the big rail celebration weekend at Preston Park tomorrow and on Sunday.

"We like to tie in with the park when we can," he said.

At one point the group tried opening up on Saturdays, but so few people turned up it was not worth their while.

If income could be boosted, the group could buy another loco and do more charity rides.

At present fares bring in about £2,500 a year.

Mr Turner said: "The entrance to Preston Park is just five minutes away but we are out of it to some extent. We can see the car park full of families and children yet no-one seems to know we are here. We need better signs to herald our existence."

To try to solve the problem, members now use a portable sign which they put near the museum caf in the hope of attracting customers.

"All the time we hear the same thing from people: 'We never knew you were here or we would have come along'."

For the members, it is a labour of love. But everyone acknowledges the help which has been received from Stockton council.

The authority provided the cabin which is used as an office and helped with roof repairs at the workshop.

"We couldn't have asked for more," said Mr Turner.

All they need now is for more people to track them down.

l Anyone interested in joining or helping the Teesside small gauge railway group should contact Brian Turner on 01642 892368 or secretary, Bill Foster, on 01642 710198