Paignton Zoo railway

[Kris]

This is no more. It was removed earlier this month.

Apparently it had not been used for a couple of years due to covid and a decision was made based on the need for repairs. 

 

The area looks very sad now. 

 

[brianusa]

Rode it once as a child many years ago; the one and only time we went to Paignton Zoo

     Brian.

[ColinK]

I’ve a model zoo railway, lives in the coffee table.  It will be at Narrow Gauge North.

 

[DK123GWR]

I wonder if they'll be able to move the track on. When I last went the track from Thorpe Park's old railway (closed 2011) was sat in a pile under Swarm - I think it can be made out to the left of the track at 2:05 in the video below. I can't help but think someone would take it (or would have done a few years ago) and I can't imagine that letting it rot is the most profitable use.

 

[009 micro modeller]

21 hours ago, DK123GWR said:

I wonder if they'll be able to move the track on. When I last went the track from Thorpe Park's old railway (closed 2011) was sat in a pile under Swarm - I think it can be made out to the left of the track at 2:05 in the video below. I can't help but think someone would take it (or would have done a few years ago) and I can't imagine that letting it rot is the most profitable use.

 

Didn’t the coaches from Thorpe Park (possibly some track as well) go to Lynbarn (Milky Way theme park) and some to Woody Bay?

[papagolfjuliet]

On 31/01/2022 at 21:59, DK123GWR said:

I wonder if they'll be able to move the track on. When I last went the track from Thorpe Park's old railway (closed 2011) was sat in a pile under Swarm - I think it can be made out to the left of the track at 2:05 in the video below. I can't help but think someone would take it (or would have done a few years ago) and I can't imagine that letting it rot is the most profitable use.

 

 

The Thorpe Park stock has now been dispersed, with one of the Severn Lamb 4-4-0DHs and a rake of carriages going to East Links Family Park in East Lothian and the Alan Keef shunter going to Hayling Island. Homes have also been found for the others locos and stock although as yet Ino announcement has been made as to where.

[Not Jeremy]

I think this might be it, in happier days..

 

[Peter Kazmierczak]

When our children were children, I remember going for a ride on the line at Paignton Zoo. Seem to recall the motive power looked rather like a 37. 

[HSB]

3 hours ago, Not Jeremy said:

I think this might be it, in happier days..

 

I don't know where that is but definitely not Paignton Zoo!

[HSB]

3 hours ago, Peter Kazmierczak said:

When our children were children, I remember going for a ride on the line at Paignton Zoo. Seem to recall the motive power looked rather like a 37. 

I have a picture somewhere, I'll post it when I eventually find it! Based on 37 with four-wheel bogies. When I was a child they had an American-style loco but I think this was vandalised and ended up in the lake to be replaced by the '37' which was produced locally by a firm in St. Marychurch.

[John Besley]

22 hours ago, Not Jeremy said:

I think this might be it, in happier days..

 

 

That is Goodrington Beach ' Peter Pan' Railway possabily in the early 1960's judging by the kids clothes... we lived about a mile away from there above Goodrington carriage sidings at the time.

 

Edited March 18, 2023 by John Besley

[John Besley]

I've just changed the picture as it was reversed (from Devon Live website) the area behind the railings was the playpark and had beach behind the huts. 

 

From memory the line simply went out and back to the cafe at the far end of South Goodrington.

Last time we went for a walk along there it was not too difficult to work out the route of the line.

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2023 by John Besley

[Not Jeremy]

Thank you very much for the correct information John.

 

Which makes perfect sense when looking at the railway pictures on the original film negatives, taken by Wally Beard I believe, including this rather nice (G)WR bracket signal.

 

 

Simon