Groudle Glen railway

[Old Yard Dog]

This is a very scenic line running through the woods up to the coast on summer Sundays only. However I wish the owners would admit in their leaflets that the line is inaccessible to anybody of limited mobility. It is only reachable via steep woodland paths and steps and my missus had to give up half way and so miss the ride.

Last Sunday I caught the 2nd train of the day and did a round trip. I then caught the third for a repeat but the steam loco failed to get up the slope despite having 3 goes at it. So it backed down to the starting station to be replaced by a diesel I think.

I then gave up and drove up to the Curragh wildlife park to do the excellent Orchid miniature line before the rains set in at 3 pm, exactly as forecast by the Met Office. A complex layout like a figure of 8 with an extra loop. Sit astride carriages are used. Only £1 per ride but you have to pay to get into the park.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I remember walking along the route of the Groudle Glen railway in the early 1990s I think, you could see bits of track, there appeared to be the remains of an old zoo or something down below too.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

An apology - there is a mention of limited access in one of their leaflets (which sadly I didn't have at the time)

 

[Trainfan344]

I remember walking along the route of the Groudle Glen railway in the early 1990s I think, you could see bits of track, there appeared to be the remains of an old zoo or something down below too.

That'll be Groudle Glen Zoo, once home to a polar bear I believe.

 

[pdeaves]

Indeed, said animal giving its name to some of the railway's locos.

 

[A0]

An apology - there is a mention of limited access in one of their leaflets (which sadly I didn't have at the time)

The access at their mid-point station is better as well for those who have mobility problems.

It can be accessed at the 'Port Groudle' car park which can be seen on an OS map.
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Indeed, said animal giving its name to some of the railway's locos.

To be more specific - the zoo contained polar bears and sea lions. Hence the railway's locos were named accordingly.

Both locos survive - Polar Bear is based at Amberley and Sea Lion on the GGR.

They've investigated if it would be possible to buy-back Polar Bear but to no avail - though it was back at the GGR earlier in the year - hence they've got the appeal for a new build which will be named Brown Bear.