In the mid 1990's the railway underwent major changes with the relaying of the track and the building of the railway shed. The members dug the foundations out that had to be very substantial because of the moving sand underneath and high water levels.
The railway was by 1996 operating with two steam engines and three electric locomotives. Plans were being considered to introduce further rolling stock, and construct a new station building in conjunction with a new Lecture Theatre by 2005.

Top: A photographic line up of the locomotives and rolling stock May 1996.
Above Left: SMR member Raymond driving "Mufuta" with the official opening ceremonial head board on.
Above Right:  Delivery of  bricks in January 1996 for the £16,000 new railway shed.
Right: A view taken from the Platform 2 newsletter Spring/Summer 1997 Issue of the proposed replacement building for the museum's Lecture Theatre that could have  included station buildings and a cafe.

Our members not only helped to operate a railway but were very actively involved with helping to operate the trolleybuses and create other visitor attractions, many of which would not be there today if we had not had the foresight to see the need for them. Two fashion models donated by a carpet shop set out in 1960's fashions obtained by searching the many charity shops in Doncaster, Pickering, Filey etc. The window displays were based on those in the late 50's and 1960's of the former Doncaster Cooperative Society Emporium store (now T. J. Hughes). I had worked on their display and advertising department for 11 years so. The windows at Sandtoft unlike today were changed on a seasonal basis.

The now removed sign from the failed Transperience. The hire van with Rob Clearly and Pat Ashton working together as happy team with other of our members. Our members helped to dismantling and moving of many of the exhibits purchased at the auction including the trolleybus and motorbus simulators.

Above we see the members from the SMR group and the Scunthorpe Action for Employment team at  work on the very unique bus simulators that needed some adapting to fit in the Axholme Stores building. These show cases were purchased from Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery and served to display many items including a collection of car badges donated by the late Henry Riley from Burringham Near Scunthorpe.

No matter your age, the railway was a popular attraction for the visitors to the museum. Sadly it seems that some of the trolleybus motivated members of the museum could not cope with the success of the railway fearing I am told that visitors especially children were not interested in the trolleybuses. Not true the miniature railway ensured that the admission fee to the museum was value for money. 

A youngster looks on as a group of adults ride on the train. There was\ never any shortage of passengers and often it was all on to keep the queues down.

1999. All aboard as "Remus" is about to depart from Sandtoft Central on the last "Sandtoft Gathering" for this locomotive and the SMR members. One year later the locomotive was operating at the "Summer Festival Event" at Thorne some five miles away. Many artefacts were either donated or obtained from auctions. The railway luggage trolley was donated by the Felix Motorbus Group having originated from Sheffield Victoria railway station. Whilst it was in our care it was well looked after, but after our departure I believe it is now in a terrible state that's if it still survives. Many items of luggage, a sack trolley and other artefacts were donated to another railway having realised they could not be used at Thorne.   

In 1999 the Museum's Lecture Theatre received a major internal refit becoming "The Ritz Cinema". In addition to slide shows on trolleybuses, silent and 1940/50's 16mm film shows were given, often being accompanied by Martin on the Gilbransen electric cinema style organ.

The SMR introduced mid-week operating days during the August school holidays, which proved to be very popular. The local motorbus tour was one of the additional attractions on these days. These events resulted in the museum's car park filled to its limits.

Left: The beginning of the end. 
Between 1999 and 2000 a series of acts of malicious vandalism took place. Several times whole lengths of track had all there securing screws loosened on one side of the rail, the perpetrator no doubt hoping for a serious derailment. The railway track was subjected to damage in four places. In the far left photograph the signalling circuit was also cut. These acts of vandalism were to be a contributing factor taken into consideration at the E.G.M. when the decision was made to permanently cease all operations. Most of the track was put into storage away from the museum after the ceasing of operations.

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