Markeaton Park Light Railway
| Markeaton Park Light Railway | |
|---|---|
| MPLR | |
Markeaton Lady, Light Railway Locomotive
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| Locale | Markeaton Park, Derbyshire |
| Terminus | Markeaton Station |
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| Connections | None |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Markeaton Park Light Railway |
| Built by | Mr and Mrs Louis Searle |
| Original gauge | 15 in (381 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | John Bull and John Bull (father and son) |
| Stations | Two |
| Length | 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1989 |
The Markeaton Park Light Railway operates within Markeaton Park adjacent to what remains of Markeaton Village, in Derby in the East Midlands of England. The railway was first opened in 1989 and was extended to its present length in 1996.
The line is built to 15 in (381 mm) gauge and is 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) long. The railway is privately owned - staffed and maintained by volunteers. The main station, Markeaton Station, is located at the Ashbourne Road/Queensway entrance to the park, next to the car park, and buildings formerly occupied by the British Army. On operating days, trains run every 25 minutes to Mundy Halt at the Mundy Play Centre. During 2010 the railway was put up for sale by its current owner, but this was retracted during the 2010 winter period.
Rolling Stock
Past
Up until the summer of 2009 the railway also operated a Steam Locomotive. The "Markeaton Lady" was built by the Exmoor Steam Railway in 1996. She was a 0-4-2T Steam Locomotive and was owned by John Bull, the current owner of MPLR. She was sold during 2009 due to financial costs and no longer runs at Markeaton.
Present
The line currently operates a Baby Deltic diesel engine which began life at Cleethorpes and joined the railway after a rebuild in 2003. When it was new, the locomotive worked at the former Steamtown miniature railway in Carnforth. It is a representation of one of the British Rail Baby Deltics which were withdrawn from mainline duties some 25 years ago. Rolling stock consists of three coaches built by Exmoor, and three ex-Fairbourne coaches which have been modified and regauged.
An industrial looking diesel locomotive which has run at Markeaton before, "Cromwell" was intended to join the railway during the winter of 2009 awas due to join the railway in 2010, but this did not take place.
Opening Times
The railway operates at weekends throughout the winter and daily during the summer. Also during School Holidays throughout the year from 11am to dusk, which is weather permitting. This is except Christmas Day.
Fares
- £1.60 single
- £3.20 return
