Poole Park Railway suspended for foreseeable after latest crash

It follows yet another derailment of a carriage on a slight corner while on its circuit of the lake in the popular park on Monday morning, February 12. 

BCP Council has said the same carriage of Howard – the name of the train – keeps coming off the tracks “despite assurances” from the manufacturer that the problem has been fixed. 

As a result of this latest crash, the train ride is now closed with no reopening date in site. 

Cllr Mike Cox, portfolio holder for finance, said: “Unfortunately, Poole Park Railway is now closed. 

Howard off the tracks in October (Image: Dee O'Neil)

 “Yesterday morning, one of the carriages derailed. This was the same carriage which derailed at the end of last year, despite repairs and assurances from the manufacturer that the issue had been resolved. 

“The safety of railway passengers is of paramount importance. That’s why we’re being cautious and temporarily ceasing the train service to undertake further investigations and allow the carriage manufacturer to return to the site to understand the cause and seek a permanent and safe resolution. 

“We do not yet know how long the railway will remain closed, but we would like to reassure users that the track, engine and other carriages are not affected by this fault.” 

This isn't the first time the train, called Howard, has fallen over.

Howard last fell off the tracks in December, where BCP Council launched an official investigation into the matter. 

Councillor for culture Andy Martin said that despite people being in the carriage when it came off, nobody was injured. 

It also came off the line in October 2023 and again in September 2022, both times because of a piece of debris. 

As reported, the railway was suspended in 2018 after a series of problems, including derailments and staff shortages.  

In 2019, planning permission was granted for the demolition and replacement of its engine shed while the 640m track also needed to be re-laid.  

Efforts to bring back the popular attraction were hindered when the council failed to secure a contingency engine as promised in December 2021.  

The railway was officially re-opened by the mayor of Poole, with flags, fun and band music on October 15, 2022. 

Seating 32 people, including dogs and wheelchairs, the carriages are painted in a green and yellow livery to pay homage to the Southern Railway that operated in the area from 1923 to 1947. 

The railway is now run by BCP Council-employed railway supervisors and a team of volunteers.