45-456: 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 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
90-520: 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
135-601: 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 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
180-489: 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
225-410: 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
270-472: 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 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
315-461: A turntable. There is a level crossing between Willow Lawn and the next station, Haste Hill. Formerly a terminus, Haste Hill is now 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
360-826: Is a 158-seat theatre in Ickenham owned by the London Borough of Hillingdon . Middlesex County Council bought Ickenham Hall and its grounds in 1948 in order to convert it into a youth centre. In 1968 a theatre was built behind the hall, later named the Compass Theatre by the Theatre Director John Sherratt. The two buildings were connected by a new building in 1976. The theatre was refurbished in 1990 and reopened by Prince Edward . The theatre predominantly receives hires by local amateur dramatic groups, as well as films, professional shows for children and other arts activities. It also hosts 360 Youth Theatre,
405-532: 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 a lido , with facilities for swimming and boating. During the Second World War,
450-653: Is now just under two and a half miles of track in total, with the main line double-track for over half its length. In 2021, the railway began construction of an island platform at Willow Lawn station, to increase the capacity of the station from one to three platform faces. The new platform will be 60 metres long, allowing the railway to operate longer trains. Like the existing platform, it will be wheelchair accessible. 51°35′35″N 0°25′55″W / 51.59293°N 0.43184°W / 51.59293; -0.43184 Ruislip Lido Ruislip Lido ( / ˈ r aɪ s l ɪ p ˈ l aɪ d oʊ / RY -slip LY -doh )
495-514: 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
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#1732884878871540-702: 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 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
585-588: 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 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
630-519: 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)
675-449: 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
720-468: 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 the commissioners, and 35 acres (14 ha) of
765-508: The R&;ER, the locomotive was converted to 12 in ( 305 mm ) on arrival. Lady of the Lakes entered service just before 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
810-413: 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 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
855-428: 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
900-405: 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
945-502: 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
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#1732884878871990-640: 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 Compass Theatre The Compass Theatre
1035-414: The following locomotives. The following passenger coaches are currently in use. The following engineering vehicles are currently in use. The railway generally operates on 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
1080-568: 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 the 1970s and 1980s, the lido has since undergone renewal works, and was the subject of an enhancement project unveiled by
1125-468: 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
1170-471: 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, 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
1215-558: 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 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
1260-558: 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
1305-441: 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 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
1350-484: 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 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
1395-444: 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 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
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1440-544: 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, 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
1485-424: 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 the sleepers, fresh limestone ballast was also laid. However, the lack of any base below
1530-406: 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 is run entirely by unpaid volunteers with young rail enthusiasts involved in its operation. The railway has various departments looking after specialist areas within
1575-514: 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
1620-631: 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 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
1665-470: 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
1710-405: 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
1755-402: 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
1800-406: 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 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
1845-454: 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 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
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1890-438: 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
1935-460: 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 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
1980-415: 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 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
2025-501: 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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