Abbeydale Miniature Railway in Sheffield applies for planning permission
Real steam trains burning small pieces of coal pull ride-on carriages carrying children and adults
A much-loved miniature railway has submitted plans for a miniature signal box due to an increase in equipment.
Abbeydale Miniature Railway has applied to build a ‘small-scale’ replacement structure at its site on Abbeydale Road South.
Plans show a traditionally-shaped pitched roof building ‘based (on) early 20th century railway architecture’.
The application is from Sheffield & District Society of Model & Experimental Engineers Ltd - Abbeydale Miniature Railway.
It states signaling has become more complex and the existing building is too small.
It adds: “After much deliberation and input from operating staff and all other involved members, the new location chosen places the building part on the track area and part overhanging the car park.”
The railway has two stations, two level crossings, two footbridges and one overbridge, with some challenging gradients.
Real steam trains burning small pieces of coal pull ride-on carriages carrying children and adults. Train rides cost £2.
The first recorded meeting of the society was on December 10, 1900.
Its website states: “The site of the miniature railway, once known as Dr. Marshall's field, is owned by us, the Sheffield and District Society of Model and Experimental Engineers.
“We moved from Chelsea Road, Nether Edge, to Abbeydale Road South in 1978 at the invitation of Sheffield Council Parks department who originally used our land as a nursery.
“Since that time the land has been purchased by the Society, the railway expanded to make it more interesting, and the ancillary buildings vastly improved with all the money from fares and selling refreshments being ploughed back into development.”