Dragon Miniature Railway
Wyevale Garden Centre, Marple, UK
NEW FOR 2007!!!
ON AUGUST 4TH 2007, TARA THE TRAM WILL BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED FOR RIDES. CHILDREN UNDER 12 CAN DRIVE TARA UP AND DOWN A LENGTH OF TRACK ADJACENT TO THE STATION TOWARD THE SHEDS FOR 50 PENCE.
Below is an brief account of the construction of the tramtrack in preparation for opening.
ON AUGUST 4TH 2007, TARA THE TRAM WILL BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED FOR RIDES. CHILDREN UNDER 12 CAN DRIVE TARA UP AND DOWN A LENGTH OF TRACK ADJACENT TO THE STATION TOWARD THE SHEDS FOR 50 PENCE.
Below is an brief account of the construction of the tramtrack in preparation for opening.
Drive Your Own Tram
| Name | Number | Date Built/ Builder | Length of Run | Speed | Type | Power |
| Tara | 1 | Re-built 2007, S.Cameron | 250ft | 2.5mph | Bo-4w | 1/4hp 12V motor |
This railcar started life as a model tram, but has been unused for many years. During 2006/7, it was dismantled and expertly restored, and now forms a coin-in-slot type drive-yourself tram for children under 12 years old. Tara runs on a 250ft long track, which starts adjacent to the station (at Station Road), and runs parallel to he main running line to Chadkirk Sidings Halt. Each ride costs 50p, and two children can ride at once. The livery of the tramcar is reminiscent of the old Manchester Corporation trams which used to operate from the turn of the century until the 1950's.
Easter 2007
During the Easter Holidays, the body was returned to the railway, having been expertly restored by Stuart Cameron. Resplendent in Manchester Corporation red wuith white lining, with the Cameron family crest on the sides, the body was delivered to the railway on April 12th, awaiting the chassis and electricals to be completed before final assembly.
From left to right: Tara awaiting unloading from the trailer, Stuart, Toni and Brian moving the tram from the trailer to the shed, and same again, showing the model slate wagon on which the body was perched for transport and storage.
From left to right: Tara awaiting unloading from the trailer, Stuart, Toni and Brian moving the tram from the trailer to the shed, and same again, showing the model slate wagon on which the body was perched for transport and storage.
Early Summer progress
During May and June,
the trackbed was prepared, track manufactured, fencing made and the
track laid. On May 18th a new 20ft container arrived to store the tram
in overnight.
Throughout June, track was laid and ballasted along the route. This was completed in early July, and in this time Tara wa re-united with her chassis and the control system made, fitted and tested. The pictures below show the completion of track-laying on July 7th, courtesy of Neil Munro.
From left to right: The area outside the green container, ready to receive track, the other end where the ride will start and finish (station to be called Station Road), and track laid at the end of the day. Two other roads will go in the container for locos and carriages, and will be called Chadkirk Sidings.
July 10th - 15th. The tram is now complete and final adjustments made to control system. All the fence is complete and is now being pained white then cream. The flagging for the platforms is still required. The folowing pictures were taken on July 10th by Alex Meyer.
July 14th: tram on test. Photos taken by Alex Meyer.
Throughout June, track was laid and ballasted along the route. This was completed in early July, and in this time Tara wa re-united with her chassis and the control system made, fitted and tested. The pictures below show the completion of track-laying on July 7th, courtesy of Neil Munro.
From left to right: The area outside the green container, ready to receive track, the other end where the ride will start and finish (station to be called Station Road), and track laid at the end of the day. Two other roads will go in the container for locos and carriages, and will be called Chadkirk Sidings.
July 10th - 15th. The tram is now complete and final adjustments made to control system. All the fence is complete and is now being pained white then cream. The flagging for the platforms is still required. The folowing pictures were taken on July 10th by Alex Meyer.
July 14th: tram on test. Photos taken by Alex Meyer.
July 22nd onwards - Laying Chadkirk Sidings
July 22nd. Station Road Halt was laid today - Chadkirk Yard Halt being laid earlier in the week. The tram was out on display and a couple of people tested it.
From left to right: Luke setting off toward Chadkirk Halt, at Chadkirk Halt, and coming back.
July 24th. The mainline connection for the other storage roads went in today. The rest of the fence was painted cream. Photos by Dom Greenop.
From left to right: Toni, Brian and Stuart putting the new point in place, Chris and stuart putting the next piece in after ballasting the point, Brian carrying out modifications to the blade after preliminary tests with 47338. Stuart is standing on Chadkirk Yard Halt platform.
July 26th. More work was done today, finishing the laying and ballasting of the centre approach road to the container, and making a start to the fencing between the tram halt and the yard to keep the public out. The rain hampered work progress.
From left to right: Station Road halt only requiring finishing touches before launch, David passing Chadkirk Sidings (with Toni driving) in the rain. Brian and Stuart taking shelter in the container, Chris clearing up in Chadkirk Yard. The post is where the fencing between Chadkirk Yard Halt an the gate will run, providing protection between the public and the railway.
August 9th 2007. The overall roof was erected at Station Road Halt today, using the hi-hab form the builders' yard. Stuart and Brian had made the roof over the previous week, and it simply required lifting onto its 4"x4" posts. Since the pic was taken, the posts have been painted cream, and guttering and signage added.
From left to right: Lifting the canopy into position using the builders' lorry, and fixed in position at the end of the day.
Nick Tozer visited the railway on August 25th and took a selection of photos. One of Tara the Tram can be seen here: http://nick-tozer.fotopic.net/p44489006.html
From left to right: Luke setting off toward Chadkirk Halt, at Chadkirk Halt, and coming back.
July 24th. The mainline connection for the other storage roads went in today. The rest of the fence was painted cream. Photos by Dom Greenop.
From left to right: Toni, Brian and Stuart putting the new point in place, Chris and stuart putting the next piece in after ballasting the point, Brian carrying out modifications to the blade after preliminary tests with 47338. Stuart is standing on Chadkirk Yard Halt platform.
July 26th. More work was done today, finishing the laying and ballasting of the centre approach road to the container, and making a start to the fencing between the tram halt and the yard to keep the public out. The rain hampered work progress.
From left to right: Station Road halt only requiring finishing touches before launch, David passing Chadkirk Sidings (with Toni driving) in the rain. Brian and Stuart taking shelter in the container, Chris clearing up in Chadkirk Yard. The post is where the fencing between Chadkirk Yard Halt an the gate will run, providing protection between the public and the railway.
August 9th 2007. The overall roof was erected at Station Road Halt today, using the hi-hab form the builders' yard. Stuart and Brian had made the roof over the previous week, and it simply required lifting onto its 4"x4" posts. Since the pic was taken, the posts have been painted cream, and guttering and signage added.
From left to right: Lifting the canopy into position using the builders' lorry, and fixed in position at the end of the day.
Nick Tozer visited the railway on August 25th and took a selection of photos. One of Tara the Tram can be seen here: http://nick-tozer.fotopic.net/p44489006.html
