Over 150 metres of track has been built(Image: James Poole)

Dad brings iconic South West miniature train back to life

by · PlymouthLive

A childhood passion led to a dad bringing a defunct miniature train from Cornwall back to life.

TV project manager and proud dad-of-two James Poole used to love visiting the miniature railways park Dobwalls in Cornwall a child and has now restored one of the original trains.

The attraction went bust around 2006 and all but one of the trains were auctioned off to an Australian businessman. The remaining locomotive was kept in the UK and eventually put up for sale.

Now James, 37, has purchased and restored the train with his mum, dad, and brother. Together, they've built over 150 metres of track and now hire out the portable railway.

"I basically took over their whole house" He joked.

They named the locomotive David Curwen after its builder. David, who was born in 1913 and lived the venerable age of 98, was one of the most famous miniature railway engineers of all time.

James and his brother later tracked down two of the original passenger coaches built for the train in 70s and got them back in working order. The passenger carriages had previously been sitting in a barn for a decade.

He's also enjoyed sharing his hobby with his two young boys: "My kids are absolutely train mad which is good! I used to ride on this train when I was my kid's age and now we get to ride it as a family."

After restoring the railway and posting it online, James got around 890 messages from people reminiscing on fond childhood memories from Dobwalls. Now, James is creating more magical moments by bringing the railway to a number of local events.

Event Railways has been at the Teddy Rocks Festival in Dorset this weekend (May 1 to 3) and the North Somerset Show in Wraxall on Bank Holiday Monday tomorrow. James has also generated interest from Bristol Harbour Festival and Tractor Fest.

If you're interested in hiring out the miniature railway for an event, you can email James on James@EventRailways.co.uk.

Over 150 metres of track has been built in a house in Nailsea.

Over 150 metres of track has been built in a house in Nailsea.(Image: James Poole)
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"I used to ride on this train when I was my kid's age and now we get to ride it as a family."

"I used to ride on this train when I was my kid's age and now we get to ride it as a family."(Image: James Poole)
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James restored the train with the help of his brother, mum, and dad.

James restored the train with the help of his brother, mum, and dad.(Image: James Poole)
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