Littlehampton Miniature Railway

Littlehampton Miniature Railway

Littlehampton Miniature Railway is a lovely place to visit if you’re in the area.

It is located just along Littlehampton seafront you can get there from going in to Mewsbrook’s Park or Northfolk Gardens.

The line is the oldest 12 ¼ inch gauge railway in Britain, dating from 1948.

The Littlehampton Miniature Railway is staffed entirely by volunteers who are all members of the LHRA (Littlehampton Heritage Railway Association).

They have recently added an extra carriage on the train which takes a wheel chair, which is a brilliant new addition to the Miniature Railway.

I was lucky enough to meet the team of volunteers today, they are very friendly and can answer any questions you might have. They even let me go behind the scenes to look at their work area and take pictures of the trains that weren’t being used today.

The trains are currently run by diesel electric but next year they are aiming to get a steam train back on the tracks. The volunteers work very hard keeping the train and tracks in good condition.

The Railway is operated by the Littlehampton Heritage Railway Association (LHRA), in association with Arun District Council.

If you decide to visit Littlehampton Miniature Railway, there is parking at both ends with disabled parking as well.

Depending on which end you start at, I started at Mewsbrooks Park, which is another lovely place to visit there is a lake with Ducks and Swans and during the summer months there are boats you can hire to go on the Lake. There is also a café there to catch your breath and have a cup of tea and a bite to eat.

Also, if you walk around the lake there is a park for the children to play in at the top end with picnic tables to eat at if you have brought your own lunch with you.

If you get on the Miniature train station this end it will take you to Norfolk Gardens, where you can get off and have a game of golf or crazy golf whichever tickles your fancy. Then afterword’s why not stop at Norfolk Gardens café, before getting back on the train to where you started.

In December the Miniature railway is going to be doing a Santa train, where there will be mince pies and coffee and of course father Christmas.

Each of the trains have their own names, which I will tag in the photos.

Also, one off the trains called Daisy was named in memory of a little girl who loved the trains, but sadly she passed away, so they decided to name the train in memory of her.

The Miniature Railway has so much history, if you head over to there web site it will tell you all about it definitely worth a read!

For more information on the Miniature Railway please go to their website www.littlehamptonminiaturerailway.com

Fares and Times

Adult return £3.00

Child return (3-14 years) £2.00

Family return (2 adults + 2 children) £9.00

Adult Single £2.00

Child single £1.50

(children under 3 years and disabled persons accompanied by a carer paying in full fare, travel free. Discount available for groups of 10 or more, when booked in advance.)

If you would like to help with the volunteering, you need to become a member full training will be given, full training will be given, they need more drivers, guards, and station staff.

You can fill out a application form which can be downloaded from there website www.littlehamptonminiaturerailway.com

Family membership (2 adults + 2 children) 12 months £30.00

Single membership 12 months £20.00

Junior membership (under 16) 12 months £10.00

(Members enjoy free travel on the railway. Fare paying passengers have priority during busy periods.)

You can also find more information on Facebook @LHRA2016 or Twitter @LhamptonMiniRly

Or contact them on their email littlehamptonminiaturerailway@gmail.com

Or their information line (01903) 719876

I would like to say a big thank you to Paul Ransom, Jimmy Lynch, Nathan Lynch, Dirk Shephard for all there support and sharing the experience and information with me.