History: A brief timeline of events

1907 – The first railway is opened by ‘Miniature Railways of Great Britain Ltd’ (MRGB Ltd) in Sutton Park, to a gauge of 10.25 inch with a small 0-4-4 side tank engine, ‘NIPPER’

1908 – MRGB Ltd re-gauge the line to 15 inch, the line is also extended to a length of 410 yards with a run-round loop at each end. The new locomotive is provided by Bassett-Lowke, a 4-4-2 ‘Little Giant’ class locomotive named ‘MIGHTY ATOM’. The new line opens for the Easter weekend.

1909 – MRGB Ltd urgently need a second locomotive for it’s railway at a French Exhibition. ‘MIGHTY ATOM’ is hurriedly re-liveried and renamed ‘VILLE DE NANCY’ and is sent off to work in France, leaving Sutton with a motive power crisis. A deal is struck with Charles Bartholomew to borrow his Cagney 4-4-0 for the 1909 season.

1910 – ‘VILLE DE NANCY’ returns from France and is soon transformed back to ‘MIGHTY ATOM’

1912 – MRGB Ltd goes into Liquidation, all assets are put up for sale by private treaty. Pat Collins, owner of the funfair in Sutton Park, continues to operate the line.

1919 – ‘MIGHTY ATOM’ is sold to G.V. Llewelyn’s Railway in Southport

1922 – The line re-opens after the war with some alterations made. It is not clear whether the line was taken up during the war.

1924 – The line falls into dereliction and remains so for the next 14 years.

1938 – Pat Collins reopens the railway using equipment acquired from the closed (Great) Yarmouth Miniature Railway. Locomotives include ‘PRINCE OF WALES’ (previously ‘MIGHTY ATOM’!!) and a petrol locomotive, number 7449.

1940 – ‘PRINCE OF WALES’ finally looses its YMR livery and number, and now bears ‘Crystal Palace Railway’ livery.

1946 – T.G.Hunt is contracted to overhaul ‘PRINCE OF WALES’. A new firebox is fitted to the boiler after the water space is found to be solid with silt.

1948 – T.G. Hunt acquires the railway from Collins. With this move, the railway becomes ‘The Sutton Miniature Railway’. Hunt acquires equipment from Douglas Clayton’s private line near Tewkesbury. The most notable items acquired are a 4-4-2 steam locomotive built as a close resemblance to a Bassett-Lowke Class 30, a second similar loco is in parts form is also included.
Surplus to requirements for several years, and robbed of it’s engine, no.7449 leaves the site. (broken up in 1954)

1948/49 – The new locomotive, ‘DOUGLAS CLAYTON’, is overhauled and becomes No.1 ‘SUTTON BELLE’.

1951 – ‘DINGO’, a petrol Bo-Bo locomotive destined for the Fairbourne Railway, visits Sutton for tests and trials.

1952 – The second locomotive, acquired as a kit of parts from Clayton’s railway, is completed. It enters limited service at Easter 1952 as No.2 ‘SUTTON FLYER’

1953 – ‘SUTTON BELLE’ is rebuilt, running boards are raised and Great Western Railway style cylinder covers are added. The effects are so pleasing that ‘SUTTON FLYER’ receives the same treatment. ‘PRINCE OF WALES’ is steamed for the last time, No.2 now becomes the 2nd main service locomotive.

1957 – A Bo-Bo petrol locomotive is purchased from the railway at Dudley Zoo. The locomotive, in the style of a GWR ‘Flying Banana’ Railcar, soon receives SMR livery and becomes No.4. The station complex is expanded with a new larger canopy, extending 80 feet over the platforms.

1959 – ‘SUTTON FLYER’ visits the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. A speed of 27mph is achieved on the flat Romney mainline. Lateral stability prevented any higher speed being attempted.

1962 – With the ground lease set to expire the Hunt family campaign for a new lease without success, several other potential sites are identified but to no avail, so after a 55 year existence, on the 7th October, the line through the park closes for good. All track is lifted and all other equipment is put into storage.

Post Sutton History still to follow...