84-584: Ruislip Lido ( / ˈ r aɪ s l ɪ p ˈ l aɪ d oʊ / RY -slip LY -doh ) is a reservoir and artificial beach in Ruislip , within the London Borough of Hillingdon , England, situated between Ruislip Common, Ruislip Woods (a Site of Special Scientific Interest ), and Poor's Field. Originally created as a feeder basin for the Grand Junction Canal in 1811, the reservoir was reopened in 1933 as
168-585: A lido , with facilities for swimming and boating. During the Second World War, the lido was secretly used by the Royal Air Force to train aircrew based at RAF Northolt and RAF Uxbridge in water survival methods. A narrow gauge railway, the Ruislip Lido Railway was opened in 1945, and now runs about two thirds of the distance around the reservoir. Having fallen into a state of disrepair during
252-520: A thane of King Edward's, held this manor; he could sell it to whom he would. Under Edward the Confessor, Ruislip had been valued at £30, though the reduction to £12 by the time Ernulf de Hesdin took possession is believed to have been caused by a passing unit of the Norman Army taking crops. This led to the construction of buildings at Manor Farm to protect produce. Before leaving England to fight in
336-454: A 'one engine in steam' principle on most days, operating throughout the year on weekends and daily during half terms and school holidays. From the first Sunday after New Year's Day until mid February, the railway closes for 6 weeks for the annual maintenance shutdown, allowing the opportunity for unhindered access to the railway to complete infrastructure projects and renewals that would not be possible with trains running. On busy days when there
420-518: A feeder ceased in 1851. The canal (now renamed the Grand Union Canal ) is 7 miles (11 km) to the west of the basin, so a culvert was built to lead water into the canal at Hayes Bridge. Some of the route was underground and parts have been built over. Part of the route includes a little-known aqueduct which carries the canal feeder over the River Pinn near Woodville Gardens. The reservoir
504-642: A full planning scheme to be compiled. This was presented in February 1913 with an adaptation of the original Soutars plan, receiving approval from the Local Government Board in September 1914. Three roads with residential housing, Manor Way, Windmill Way and Park Way were completed before the outbreak of the First World War when all construction work was halted. It did not resume until 1919. Manor Farm and
588-521: A graph. No two trains can be in the same section at one time, except under caution for the purpose of one assisting the other. The standard multiple train service is for two passenger trains, either both of 9 carriages or one 10 and one 8 carriage train; both use all 18 of the railway's carriages. Radio control can accommodate more than two trains if required, and also facilitate different / unusual movements where necessary. On two occasions during late 2016, two separate Permanent Way trains were run along with
672-598: A meeting of the Ruislip parish council on 28 October 1903, the forthcoming extension of the Metropolitan Railway from Harrow on the Hill to Uxbridge was also discussed as it was known that a station would be opened in Ruislip on the new line. Councillors were also aware that King's College, Cambridge , owners of much of the land in the parish and lords of the manor, were planning to sell some for development. With this in mind,
756-563: A new urban district was created to reflect the forthcoming population growth; the Ruislip-Northwood Urban District split from the Uxbridge Rural District and continued until 1965, when Ruislip became part of the newly established London Borough of Hillingdon . Major landmarks in the area include Ruislip Lido , a former reservoir, now an area of public parkland with its own miniature railway and Manor Farm ,
840-489: A plan of major track renewals was formulated, to gradually upgrade the entire permanent way to the higher standard of the Willow Lawn (stage 3) extension. This was achieved by the end of the 2010 winter shutdown, including all running lines (original circuit, plus stage 1 and stage 2 extensions), loops, and junction point-work. This was the third major re-laying project in the line's history. Despite earlier aspirations to relay
924-413: A settlement dating from the 9th century which is now designated as a local heritage site. Ruislip is included within the Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner and Uxbridge & South Ruislip parliamentary constituencies and is covered by three electoral wards within the local council. As of the 2019 general election , Ruislip is represented by two Conservative MPs: Steve Tuckwell , and David Simmonds . At
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#17328771681081008-410: A slightly larger type of softwood sleeper, with the 20 lb rail (in longer 30 ft lengths) secured with dog spikes. It terminated at a new station at Eleanor's Loop. The second extension (stage 2) in 1990 took the line to a large new station at Haste Hill. To address issues with gauge creep and rail joint movement (and following a 1988 trial of coach screws and plates at Woody Bay) this extension
1092-510: A through station and a request stop for trains heading to Willow Lawn only. Haste Hill, which also has a turntable, became a temporary terminus of the line again in early 2013 owing to major works at Willow Lawn station associated with the Lido redevelopment programme. There was formerly a terminus at Eleanor's Loop, and the site of this station (now disused) can still be seen. From Eleanor's Junction ( Eleanor's Loop until February 2017) to Woody Bay
1176-506: A vote was cast which went in favour of becoming an urban district. The new district was designed to better reflect to increase in development, as councillors felt a parish council would work slower than an urban district. The first train on the new railway line ran on 30 June 1904, and the new station at Ruislip opened on 4 July. The area became popular with ramblers, who would head to the Ruislip Lido , and general day-trippers who sought out
1260-523: A well be created on what are now the Pinn Meadows, to make use of the natural spring there. The Colne River Water Company agreed, upon the guarantee of £45 per year, and the service was established. A report had been prepared for the parish council in 1903 which noted the population in Northwood – 2,700 by that time, with 530 houses – compared with the largely rural character of the rest of Ruislip parish. At
1344-594: Is a suburb in the London Borough of Hillingdon in West London . Prior to 1965 it was in Middlesex . Ruislip lies 13.8 miles (22.2 km) west-north-west of Charing Cross , London. The manor of Ruislip appears in the Domesday Book , and some of the earliest settlements still exist today, designated as local heritage sites. The parish church, St Martin's, dates back to the 13th century and remains in use. The buildings at
1428-503: Is also the home of Eastcote Hockey Club, based at Kings College playing fields. The club was originally based in Eastcote, from where it took its name, but moved to the present location in 1964. Ruislip is also home to McGovern Park , which serves as the headquarters of London GAA as well as the main venue for all Gaelic Games in London. The venue opened its doors in 2017 and its first match
1512-403: Is demand and sufficient volunteers available multiple trains can be run, using either a radio control system or a token working system. When operating multiple trains under radio control, one of the railway's qualified controllers will operate the control office at Woody Bay. Trains are given permission to enter different block sections via radio from the controller, who records train movements on
1596-597: Is part of the Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner and Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituencies within the UK Parliament , represented by David Simmonds and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson , respectively. Primary schools in Ruislip include Bishop Winnington Ingram Church of England Primary School, Lady Bankes Infant School, Lady Bankes Junior School, Warrender Primary School, Whiteheath Infant School, and Whiteheath Junior School. Secondary schools include Bishop Ramsey School , and Ruislip High School . Ruislip
1680-529: Is recorded within the 1086 Domesday Book . Ruislip appears in Domesday Book as Rislepe , thought to mean 'leaping place on the river where rushes grow', in reference to the River Pinn . It is formed from the Old English 'rysc' and 'hlȳp'. Translated from Latin , an entry reads: M. Arnulf [Ernulf] of Hesdin holds Rislepe [Ruislip]. It is assessed for 30 hides . Land for 20 ploughs . In lordship 11 hides; 3 ploughs there. There are 12 ploughs between
1764-599: Is represented by the Non-League football club Hillingdon Borough F.C. , which plays at the Middlesex Stadium. The non-league club Wealdstone FC is based at the Grosvenor Vale Stadium, although the club is originally from Harrow and have been based in Ruislip since 2008. Grosvenor Vale Stadium also played host to Ruislip Manor F.C. between 1938 and 2008, (when the ground was known by a different name) before
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#17328771681081848-403: Is run entirely by unpaid volunteers with young rail enthusiasts involved in its operation. The railway has various departments looking after specialist areas within the railway. Locomotives and rolling stock are maintained in the workshop at Woody Bay by dedicated teams of volunteers. The railway also has its own team of volunteer permanent way staff who maintain the track. This section details
1932-574: Is said to have been built upon the insistence of the Proctor-General, William de Guineville, under the ownership of Bec Abbey, to serve the growing population. He used the priory at Manor Farm as his main residence The first recorded vicar was William de Berminton in 1327. The building itself has been remodelled in parts over the centuries and was substantially restored by George Gilbert Scott in 1870. It received Grade B listed status as an Anglican church in 1950, corresponding as Grade II. Under
2016-512: Is still running today, staffed by volunteers, and has been lengthened considerably, a second station and platform having been added near the Water's Edge pub. It is said that the local council ran the lido into financial ruin in the 1970s by raising the admission fee beyond the level the market would stand. Additionally, the main Art Deco building was closed and became subject to vandalism. In June 1993, it
2100-578: The Elthorne hundred of Middlesex . Following the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 , the parish lost control of poor relief to Uxbridge Poor Law Union and it was grouped into the Uxbridge rural sanitary district in 1875. In 1894 the sanitary district was replaced by Uxbridge Rural District and the parish vestry was replaced with a parish council. Due to increasing population, the parish split off from
2184-586: The RMS ; Titanic "sank on film". The railway was opened in 1945, with short trains being hauled by Prince Edward, an Atlantic-type steam locomotive. The line was less than a third of what it is today, as it was just a dog bone circuit on the south-east shore of the lido, running around the woods. It was built by the Grand Union Canal Company as part of the Lido along with a beach on the south-east shore. The Ruislip Lido Railway (miniature railway)
2268-530: The 16th century. It was named after a family who had lived there at that time. A well was sunk in 1864 in the High Street at the junction with Bury Street, constructed by Mr Charles Page from Uxbridge. The first 15-foot (4.6 m) were dug, before 90.75-foot (27.66 m) was bored through the London clay and the final 30-foot (9.1 m) was cut through chalk. A drought in 1898 led to the parish council requesting
2352-599: The 1970s and 1980s, the lido has since undergone renewal works, and was the subject of an enhancement project unveiled by the London Borough of Hillingdon in January 2010. The project involved the return of boating and swimming in the reservoir, which had previously not been possible due to pollution and an artificially low water level. The Grand Junction Canal Company purchased 61.5 acres (24.9 ha) of Park Wood from King's College, Cambridge , 56 acres (23 ha) of land from
2436-449: The 30 lb rail used on the stage 3 extension). The rails are in 40 ft lengths, the longest the railway has ever used, with special transition rails (fabricated in the railway's workshop) to join the 14 kg per metre rail to the existing 20 lb per yard rail. With completion of stage 4 in April 2017, Eleanor's Loop (no longer a physical loop) was renamed Eleanor's Junction. There
2520-487: The Frenchmen and the villagers; a further 5 possible. A priest, ½ hide; 2 villagers with 1 hide; 17 villagers, 1 virgate each; 10 villagers, ½ virgate each; 7 smallholders, 4 acres each; 8 cottagers; 4 slaves ; 4 Frenchmen with 3 hides and 1 virgate. Pasture for the village livestock; a park for woodland beasts; woodland, 1500 pigs, and 20 d too. Total value £20; when acquired £12; before 1066 £30. Wulfward White,
2604-611: The High Street to serve as the local police station, the copyhold of which was purchased in 1873. A new station was built in The Oaks in 1961. In 1863, the White Bear public house came under the ownership of the Harman's Brewery in Uxbridge. It had been built close to Primrose Hill Farm near the junction of the Ickenham Road and Kings End. Kings End was a hamlet, with one building dating back to
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2688-573: The Holy Lands, Ernulf de Hesdin gave ownership of Ruislip to the Benedictine Bec Abbey in 1087. He died fighting and is commemorated in annual masses held in June at Sacred Heart Church and on the remains of the motte-and-bailey at Manor Farm. It was an ancient parish in the historic county of Middlesex , part of the hundred of Elthorne . The parish church, St Martin's , has been dated to
2772-506: The London Borough of Hillingdon in 1965. Subsequent neglect of the lido as well as its entrance fees reduced visitor numbers. By the mid-1970s the Hunt locomotive was becoming unreliable and new locomotives were purchased from the manufacturer Severn Lamb in 1973 and 1975. An accident in 1978, which injured several people in a derailment due to speeding, resulted in closure of the railway, which soon began to display signs of dereliction. In 1979,
2856-563: The Metropolitan Railway, termed Metro-land , which brought with it an increase in suburban house building. As a consequence, the district was one of the first in England to devise a statutory planning scheme in 1914, following the Housing and Town Planning Act 1909 . The council had been prompted to follow this new act by the chairman of the council, Mr. Elgood, an architect, and the clerk to
2940-468: The Orchard Bungalow. It was eventually expanded and became The Orchard Hotel. The new urban district was formed on 30 September 1904, covering the parish, which had previously been part of the Uxbridge Rural District . At the time the parish incorporated Ruislip Manor , South Ruislip , Eastcote and Northwood . The new urban district council held its first meeting at Northwood School on 1 October,
3024-489: The Ruislip Lido Railway Society was established to take on the running of the railway and the line reopened ready for the summer of 1980. Keeping the line open became a struggle, with either too few passengers to pay for fuel or too many for the trains to accommodate comfortably. Despite this, work commenced on an extension around the lido to the main car park. Leaving the circuit near where the accident happened,
3108-399: The aircraft or on the ground. On 6 January 1948 a British European Airways Vickers VC.1 Viking flying from Renfrew Airport to RAF Northolt crashed in a ploughed field approximately five miles from the runway. The crew had tried to land the aircraft twice unsuccessfully when the aircraft struck a tree on the third approach attempt. Of the 18 passengers and crew on board, one crew member
3192-451: The commissioners, and 35 acres (14 ha) of the cottages and gardens of the hamlet of Park Hearne. The valley that the land covered was then dammed and flooded. Engineer John Rennie and constructor Hugh Mackintosh opened the reservoir on 5 December 1811 as one of the feeders for the Grand Junction Canal . Because the water became polluted by residues from the flooded land, the reservoir did not fulfil its intended purpose, and its role as
3276-427: The council, Mr. Abbot. Members of the council had already raised concerns over some of the new building work around Eastcote and South Ruislip, and the new development near Northwood station which they described as "badly arranged and closely-packed". Together with King's College, the urban district council worked to establish plots of land for development around Ruislip and Ruislip Manor. A town planning competition
3360-479: The countryside. Local residents in Ruislip established their own tea gardens, which they advertised for the visitors. In particular, the Poplars, a Georgian house built in 1774 on the corner of the High Street and Ickenham Road, opened a tea garden in the grounds. It was eventually demolished in 1929 to make way for shops. A similar establishment was opened in light of the new railway on the corner of Sharps Lane, known as
3444-741: The crests of all Royal Air Force squadrons involved in the Battle of Britain as a memorial. In April 2007, restoration work began on the Manor Farm site using funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund . The work was completed in June the following year, and included the renovation of the Grade II listed library. The Duck Pond Market began in the Great Barn in December 2008, following the refurbishment, and runs on
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3528-414: The day after forming. King's End was developed as a residential road in the early 1900s. By 1907, the first of the new homes were completed and residents began to move into them. The road was named King's End Avenue, though reverted to the original name of King's End later in the century. The district experienced a sharp rise in population, from 6,217 in 1911 to 72,791 in 1961, caused by the extension of
3612-556: The derailment) was fully re-laid in 20 lb rail before services resumed. As part of the agreement for handing over total control of the railway on Good Friday 1980, the London Borough of Hillingdon stipulated that the whole of the original dog bone circuit was to be re-laid within the first five years. The RLRS achieved this by the end of year four, using new larger softwood sleepers, and 20 lb rail (generally in 18 ft lengths) secured with dog spikes. Although monetary constraints prevented any kind of proper base being laid below
3696-441: The district. Under a 999-year lease, the council agreed to maintain the wood and ensure no new building was constructed without the permission of the county council. An area of the wood to the south was not included in the lease agreement and three residential roads were later constructed on it. Copse Wood was later purchased by Middlesex County Council and London County Council in 1936 for £23,250, later joined by Mad Bess Wood in
3780-502: The entire line with 30 lb rail, the existing 20 lb rail was re-used, with now standard large softwood sleepers throughout. High quality coach screws and plates were utilised, and hundreds of tonnes of new granite ballast deployed. The track height was significantly raised in places to give a reasonable depth of ballast under the sleepers, with the sub-formation improved, or completely rebuilt in some locations. The last surviving section of stage 2 (1990) track formation (100 ft of
3864-514: The first and third Sunday of every month. Winston Churchill Hall on the site received a £370,000 grant from Hillingdon Council in March 2011 to enable its refurbishment. Between 1911 and 1961, Ruislip-Northwood experienced a significant rise in population largely due to the extension of the railway. In 2011, the population of five wards which approximate to the Ruislip area was 58,217. Ruislip formed an ancient parish of 6,585 acres (26.65 km ) in
3948-679: The flooding of nearby homes. The water level had been kept artificially low since 1992 when floods caused damage to newly built houses close by. The engineering consultancy firm Halcrow Group presented a report to Hillingdon Council in April 2010 recommending a £250,000 flood mitigation scheme. In January 2012, the plans received the necessary safety approvals from the Environment Agency in order to proceed. 51°35′25″N 0°25′56″W / 51.59028°N 0.43230°W / 51.59028; -0.43230 Ruislip Ruislip ( / ˈ r aɪ s l ɪ p / RY -slip )
4032-688: The following year. A special 2009 production for Halloween was held at the railway in association with the Argosy Players, a local dramatic group from the Compass Theatre in Ickenham . The "Mad Bess Express" purported to explain the origins of the name of the Mad Bess Wood and involved trains being met in the woods by actors dressed to resemble ghosts and ghouls. In 2010, the Woody Bay ticket office and
4116-410: The garden was not retrieved until 1977. Primrose Hill Farm was demolished to make way for housing in 1965. Field End Farm, covering 50 acres (20 ha) at the junction of Wood Lane and West End Road, was demolished in 1966. The farmhouse had been owned by the manor of Northolt under the name of Berrengers. Bishop Winnington Ingram School moved to Southcote Rise in 1968 and the original school building
4200-479: The lido's beach, on a 1.02-mile (1.64 km) track around the reservoir, the railway passes through Ruislip Woods to Willow Lawn station and tea room near the lido's car parks. It is the longest 12 in ( 305 mm ) gauge railway in the United Kingdom. Originally built by the Grand Union Canal Company over a much shorter route, the line has been extended in recent years and now covers over two thirds of
4284-465: The lido. Rowing boats were available for hire, with boathouses on the western side of the reservoir. An enclosed boating area for children was later constructed. The reservoir became a popular location for water-skiing, and televised championships were often held there. One of the Ruislip Water Ski Club's founding members was the former Doctor Who actor Jon Pertwee . Ruislip Sailing Club
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#17328771681084368-600: The line carried on through woodland to Eleanor's Loop. A new locomotive was ordered from the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (R&ER) in Cumbria , and named Lady of the Lakes . Previously 15 in ( 381 mm ) gauge to allow trials to be carried out on the R&;ER, the locomotive was converted to 12 in ( 305 mm ) on arrival. Lady of the Lakes entered service just before
4452-592: The local woods eventually avoided demolition in January 1930, after the visit by a member of the Royal Society of Arts to choose the buildings that should be conserved. The Great Barn and Little Barn were singled out from the site, together with the old post office, the Old Bell public house and the Priest's House of the local church. The woods were included in a sale by King's College to the district in February 1931. Park Wood
4536-525: The manor, the woods were let for sport, with pheasants kept for shooting. In 1812, Bishop Winnington Ingram School was established by the vestry of St Martin's church in Eastcote Road. The school had 111 pupils by 1845 but fell into a state of disrepair until its rebuilding in 1931. Ruislip came under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police in 1845. By 1869, the police were renting a house in
4620-555: The mid-13th century. An earlier church is believed to have been built during the Norman period, as a stone was found within the grounds with markings from that time. The name St. Martin is believed to have been given to the church by the monks of the Bec Abbey, after Martin of Tours , a saint in Normandy . Before 1245, references to the church only name it as "Ruislip church". The present church
4704-450: The nearby children's playground were damaged by vandals driving a stolen tractor. The railway currently operates a fleet of six locomotives. No 3 Robert is considered a heritage asset, and generally used only as specially advertised. The railway formerly operated the following locomotives. The following passenger coaches are currently in use. The following engineering vehicles are currently in use. The railway generally operates on
4788-447: The new station opened, equipped with newly designed carriages built in the railway's workshops. The line was extended again to Haste Hill, which involved the construction of cuttings, embankments, steep gradients and tight curves. In 1990, a new and more powerful locomotive was purchased from Severn Lamb and Haste Hill station opened. Ballast for maintenance began to be carried on the railway using appropriate rolling stock. A storage shed
4872-484: The non-league club folded following a period of financial uncertainty during its latter two trading years. Ruislip Rugby Club is based in West End Road and was formed in 1954, succeeding an earlier club from around 1950. The club's ground is at West End Road in Ruislip. Ruislip Golf Course, on Ickenham Road, was opened in 1922, and is operated by a private company on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon. Ruislip
4956-414: The northern end of Ruislip High Street form the core of the original village square and are now Grade II listed. It originally featured a central water pump, but this was moved out of the road in the 1970s as a result of increased traffic. The expansion of the Metropolitan Railway from Harrow in the early 20th century acted as a catalyst for development in the area. Ruislip station opened in 1904, and
5040-400: The original permanent way . It also outlines the three major track re-laying projects (in the 1950s, 1980s, and 2000s), and the three major track extension projects (in 1986, 1990, and 1997). The railway was laid in 1945 with 14 lb per yard rail, a small amount of which survives in use in the workshops, together with a significant amount converted to fencing around the railway site. There
5124-635: The ownership of the Bec Abbey, timber from the woods around Ruislip – Park Wood, Mad Bess Wood and Copse Wood – was used in the construction of the Tower of London in 1339, Windsor Castle in 1344, the Palace of Westminster in 1346 and the manor of the Black Prince in Kennington . The woods were coppiced on rotation throughout the years with the timber sold to local tanneries. By the time King's College took ownership of
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#17328771681085208-405: The perimeter of the reservoir. It has been operated since 1979 by the Ruislip Lido Railway Society (RLRS). At one end of the railway, Willow Lawn station was previously known (until summer 2013) as Ruislip Lido (Water's Edge) station. It features three platforms and a turntable. There is a level crossing between Willow Lawn and the next station, Haste Hill. Formerly a terminus, Haste Hill is now
5292-510: The platform road at Haste Hill station) was relaid in March 2017. From 2015, plans known as 'stage 4' emerged, for the doubling of the previously single-line section from Wellington Junction to Eleanor's Loop, thus improving operational flexibility, and eliminating the redundant passing loop at the former Eleanor's Loop station, now too short for safe use. Standard Douglas Fir softwood sleepers were used, along with large coach screws and lipped plates, to fix 14 kg per metre rail (very similar to
5376-511: The railway atmosphere. It is recorded that the entire line was first re-laid with new rail upon the arrival of the Hunt locomotive in 1959/1960. Nonetheless, the light-weight and poor quality track is thought to have contributed to the derailment in May 1978 that led to the closure of the railway. When the RLRS took over operation in 1979 extensive remedial works were required, whilst the top loop curve (site of
5460-539: The railway features double track, widening into a balloon loop at Woody Bay station. The loop encircles the main running sheds. The rest of the railway is single track with a passing loop at Haste Hill. The railway was built in 1945 by the Grand Union Canal Company as part of Ruislip Lido, with short trains hauled by the Atlantic-type steam locomotive, Prince Edward . Built along the south-east shore of
5544-543: The reservoir, where a beach had been created, control of the lido passed to Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council (RNUDC) when the Grand Union was nationalised. One or two people normally staffed the line with major work contracted out. Prince Edward was joined by a petrol-electric locomotive in 1959, although the antiquated 12 in ( 305 mm ) gauge meant locomotives and rolling stock were not widely available and therefore expensive. The RNUDC became part of
5628-437: The rural district and formed the Ruislip-Northwood Urban District , with the parish council replaced by an urban district council. The urban district was abolished in 1965 and was transferred to Greater London to form part of the newly established London Borough of Hillingdon. Within the London Borough of Hillingdon, Ruislip is covered by three electoral wards: Eastcote and East Ruislip, South Ruislip and West Ruislip. Ruislip
5712-523: The same year. The urban district council purchased the 186 acres (75 ha) wood together with Middlesex and London County Councils for £28,000 in a compulsory purchase from Sir Howard Stransom Button. Sir Howard became High Sheriff of Middlesex in 1937. On 19 December 1946 a Railway Air Services Dakota 3 airliner taking-off from Northolt Aerodrome crashed into a house in Angus Drive, Ruislip, fortunately with no serious injuries to anyone, either in
5796-517: The sleepers, fresh limestone ballast was also laid. However, the lack of any base below the bottom of the sleepers has caused continual issues. Many sleepers were laid directly onto the ground of London Clay , and the passage of trains did cause the track to sink very gradually into the clay. The problem sections have since been gradually improved. The original line was extended to Eleanor's Loop in 1986, then to Haste Hill in 1990, and finally to Willow Lawn in 1997. The first extension (stage 1) utilised
5880-437: The standard passenger train, leading to three trains on the line with only Haste Hill for passing, leading to careful planning and coordination being required. Special events are run throughout the year, with either a 'Teddy Bear Picnic' or 'Easter Eggspress' running around Easter time, a railway 'Open Day' traditionally held in May, and the popular 'Santa Specials' event held over 4 days in the lead up to Christmas. The railway
5964-410: The time of Edward the Confessor , the manors of Ruislip and Ickenham belonged to a Saxon named Wulfward White, a thane of the king who owned land in 11 counties. Ruislip parish included what are now Ruislip, Northwood , Eastcote , Ruislip Manor and South Ruislip . Wulfward lost much of his land during the Norman conquest of England ; Arnulf de Hesdin took control of Ruislip – his ownership
6048-413: Was a Connacht Senior Football Championship quarter-final clash between London and Leitrim . Stations in the area: London Buses serving Ruislip are: Ruislip Lido Railway The Ruislip Lido Railway is a 12 in ( 305 mm ) gauge miniature railway around Ruislip Lido in Ruislip , 14 miles (22.5 km) north-west of central London . Running from the main station at Woody Bay by
6132-492: Was a mixture of small but long profile wooden sleepers (with the rail secured using dog spikes), and small metal sleepers (with small nuts and bolts holding a very small plate on the foot of the rail). The RLRS still possesses three original 1945 metal sleepers, and a small quantity of 14 lb rail, with one pair of fishplates. Rough shingle ballast was used. The line side was equipped with cosmetic (non-functioning) signals, level crossing, water tower, and coaling stage, to enhance
6216-513: Was based at the lido, using the Graduate and Solo dinghy types. In the 1970s, the reservoir water level was artificially lowered to prevent the flooding of nearby housing, making it unsuitable for dinghy sailing. Several films were made there, including Confessions from a Holiday Camp with Robin Askwith , The Young Ones with Cliff Richard and A Night to Remember , in which a large model of
6300-450: Was built alongside the carriage shed and a workshop in the yard at Woody Bay. Woody Bay station received a ticket office, and a control room, and the platforms were extended. A water tower was also built in preparation for the arrival in 1998 of a new steam engine, Mad Bess . The third extension from Haste Hill to the lido entrance opened in the same year. A new diesel locomotive arrived from Severn Lamb in 2003, followed by an identical one
6384-467: Was built in 2009. Throughout the summer of 2011, the splash pad was closed after the electrics were damaged beyond repair during construction of a new toilet block. In January 2010, Hillingdon Council unveiled an enhancement project for the lido. The establishment of boating areas would require the water level to be raised, which the Environment Agency raised concerns over due to the potential for
6468-402: Was damaged beyond repair in an arson attack and was demolished in 1994. The building was replaced in 1996 by a restaurant named The Waters Edge (sic), built in a similar style. The lido remains a popular location for sunbathing and beach games, and although swimming is officially not allowed owing to pollution and lack of lifeguards, people do swim there. A splash pad water play area for children
6552-668: Was demolished. In 1976, the war memorial dedicated to those killed during the First World War was moved from the graveyard of St Martin's to the entrance of Manor Farm. Bury Street Farm near the Plough was demolished in 1980. In 1984, the Battle of Britain House , built within Copse Wood in 1905, was destroyed by fire and the ruins demolished. The house became a college in 1948 and included plaques with
6636-402: Was developed as a lido in 1933, with an Art Deco -style main building designed by George W. Smith, together with an area reserved for swimming. The formal opening was by Earl Howe in 1936. The building included a cafe and changing rooms, and featured a terrace with steps leading into the enclosed swimming pool. The pool was built with a concrete base, with jetties on either side, but was open to
6720-558: Was held and A & J Soutar from Wandsworth won. They plan to create a symmetrical design spreading across Ruislip parish. Many of the woods and historic sites including Manor Farm were to be demolished and cleared as part of the plan, making way for a projected total of 7,642 homes, enough for 35,000 residents. Only St. Martin's Church would have been spared. An outline map was made public on 30 November 1910 with few objections recorded. A Local Board inquiry followed on 17 February 1911 which required negotiations with landowners to allow for
6804-704: Was killed in the crash. In 1961, the Portland spy ring was uncovered. Peter and Helen Kroger were found to have been involved whilst living in Ruislip. They were visited each Saturday evening by Gordon Lonsdale and were eventually placed under police surveillance. The Krogers were eventually arrested and found to have codes, a microdot reader and film of the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment in Portland Harbour concealed within ordinary household items. A radio transmitter hidden in
6888-438: Was laid entirely with coach screws on pre-assembled track panels. A programme to replace all dog spikes with coach screws has since been undertaken across the entire line, resulting in better ride quality, and improved safety. In February 1992, the specification of 'stage 3' of the railway extension to Willow Lawn proposed using heavier permanent way , requiring less fettling and alignment to maintain good condition. The intention
6972-455: Was sold for £28,100 with Manor Farm and the old post office included as a gift to the people of Ruislip. King's had wished to also present the wood as a gift but was required by the university and Colleges Act to receive payment as it was the trustee of the land. Middlesex County Council contributed 75% of the cost as the urban district council argued that many of those who would make use of the land would be recreational day-trippers from outside
7056-501: Was to lay stage 3 to a heavier standard, using large hardwood jarrah sleepers, 30 lb rail, large lipped plates, and large coach screws. This heavy track has performed well over the years, but the jarrah sleepers began to fail barely 10 years after the extension had been completed, and they are now being replaced with Douglas Fir softwood sleepers. Stage 3 opened in 1997, terminating at a large new station named "Ruislip Lido (Water's Edge)", and since renamed "Willow Lawn". In early 2000,
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