Brookside minaiture railway near Poynton is my favourite small scale line.
I do realise that there has been an accident on the line which resulted in hospital visits for two children but on the whole the line is good.
Why is it so amazing?
The line goes round a garden centre and is 7.25 inch guage.
The line was recently extended to a mile in length as the garden centre expanded and now the line is being recognised as a needed transport link around the site.
It being so large that on the huge loop a new third single platform station has been constructed.
I have heard that new passenger vehicles with space for the shopping are being built and will certainly add a new feature.
This is probably the most amazing working railway in the world and to the smallest guage.
It takes about 10 minutes to get round none stop and 15 minutes if the trainstops at the stations.
Here is a guide.
The main station with an overall roof has three platforms and is situated at the car park and main entrance.
The first station along the route is single platform jsut afet a tunnel under the entrance roadhis is about a quarter of a mile along next you travel along the shed and summerhouse section and go over several level crossings each with a siren.
Now there is a unique rail/ path section about 50 yards long with tramway style track. A low running speed is applied.
Now in a cutting if you look to your right you see where the picnic area was- now converted to sidings for the extension.
On the left is the engine sheds and workshopste large.
Now you leave the old section for the new section over the river and includes a waterfall and second tunnel and rockery.
The new station when I last went had yet to open because of stock being put in place which would include rockery plants.
This station has delighful benches and a small shelter and is well cared for.
This is about half way (.5 a mile)
now you travel next to the river past the real standard guage signal box and enter woods.
Now the track doubles and two bridges over the river take you back to the central station where the journey began.
There is a full size andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST on display and a nice restraunt which is open all day.
Well worth a visit.
Now you leave the new section and cross a river