Sleeper replacement at Basildon Miniature Railway

Hi, my name is Dan and have been passionate about railways all my life.

In 1987 as a young boy, I stubbled across a loco in a shed at Wat Tyler Park whilst on a day out with my parents. I volunteered to help build the railway in the park and worked on it religiously until 2005, when the founder passed away. It was never the right time to take it over back then. Now 20 years later that opportunity has come about and here I am restoring the railway I’ve always had a passion for.

One of the biggest challenges and largest cost is replacing rotten sleepers. There are some that have done so well. They are original hardwood, which I probably helped lay all those years ago. Many have been replaced, with many more to do. It’s not as cheap as I first thought at £6-8 per sleeper, then the fixings on top.

I’m committed to replacing with recycled plastic sleepers, which will outlive me twice over. The railway can’t operated without these essential items and over the length of the line, adds up. Any small donation to restore this much loved railway would be greatly appreciated.