An Introduction.

Sandtoft's twice award winning miniature railway

Over the years the railway attracted many visiting locomotives from other similar societies in the area. In addition to the railway activities our members helped considerably with the development of the museum beyond the railway tracks. In 1984 a member of the SMR purchased the Museum's Lecture Theatre next to the railway at what was to become the Sandtoft Central station. Landscaping was a major part of our contribution to transform the former bleak open windswept site. In 1996 members helped to build and fund a £15,000 purpose built railway shed. At the same time a great deal of time was committed by our members to make the museum's Axholme Stores possible. We helped paint the building and fit it out with displays including the shop windows. The railway underwent a major transformation in the winter of 1995/6 as part of a 25 year scheme. The railway was now operating on all of the museum's open days and several extra events organised by the railway members.
During August 1999 two railway events filled all the car parking facilities including the road outside the museum, this in addition to two double deck buses full of visitors. 

Plans being considered to expand the railway should the museum expand onto new land in 1999 or 2000

The siding that could have provided the link  with what is now Stuart's locomotive "Reg"

At the Museum's AGM changes to those elected to the Board of Directors were to see a definite resentment about the success of the railway and towards its members. In May 2000 due to ongoing operational difficulties caused by damage to tracks and signalling by internal (the police report) vandalism attempts to keep the railway operating was to be a major challenge. One of the SMR members refused to renew his membership after an argument about language being used to one of the girl junior members. Then an alleged attempted assault took place by one of the museum managers to one of junior members took place as a result of this several meetings by the SMR members took place the railway ceased operation as our personal safety could no longer be guaranteed. At an EGM called by the SMR group a vote was taken to cease all operations. The nearby Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society invited the SMR to join them with the operations of their miniature railway Thorne Memorial Park some 5 miles away. Rolling stock was transferred to Thorne and was soon providing a service.

Left and Middle: The 1999 Sandtoft Gathering was a huge success with the trains working hard to keep the queue of passengers down. Right: However the price of success damaged tracks, signalling circuits and more. 

In the meantime the former SMR member and a small team of helpers tried to set up what was called the Sandtoft Transport Museum Miniature Railway. With a lack of resources, members etc this project was doomed even though in a transport journal it had been written that a more experienced group had taken over. What's the saying eat you hat. Well the new project failed dismally one year later never having carried a legal passenger.
Meanwhile back at Thorne things progressed well. Our experience at fund raising and train operations resulted in a major expansion of the tracks, items like marquees for events, further rolling stock, and some excellent publicity to bring in the visitors. 

Above: The flimsy track that was being laid due to lack of funding for the new SMRMR group Right  David Stubbins with the steam locomotive "Remus" Monday 29th May 2000 at Thorne some three weeks after last running at Sandtoft.

2000 -2010

Lighting up the Grand! Our members are also now members of the Friends of Doncaster Grand Theatre helping to set up the lighting for a visit by members of Doncaster Metropolitan Town Council and the Doncaster Civic Theatre on the 4th October 2006.

Helping with the Thorne Moorends Community Radio station in 2005--2012 our members show their other skills

Our member Stuart who used to drive the trains at Sandtoft and now at Thorne. Stuart is now a regular driver of the trams at the East Anglia Transport Museum. When not driving the trams Stuart is their main traffic control manager. Stuart has come along way since driving the miniature trains at Sandtoft in 1996. Well done Stuart!

2010--2012

Here is a notice appealing for donations to help me fund repairs for my locomotive that caused one of the members of the D&DMESL to go snivelling behind my back and complain to the committee members about the notice. What followed was a rather heated argument that I shall never forget. Gone is the tea-stall, children's drawing facilities, more recently withdrawn promotional activities by another organisation after some further sarcastic remarks  and  much reduced visitor facilities.  Volunteering ???

Here we go again ……………………. Back stabbing, insults from the Directors and committee members of the D&DMESL
To be continued……………………….

On the move for a second time as enough was enough. On Monday 9th July 2012 the locomotive was removed from Thorne by the same trailer that removed it from Sandtoft in May 2000. Probably Remus's last moments in Thorne. In the view on the right unless it returns as a visiting locomotive, looking towards the Thorne Memorial Park for the last time and the bridge that for many years overlooked its journeys around the railway tracks in the park. 

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© All rights reserved:  Bob Ashton 2000--2012