The Official Site For Thorne Railway
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Regrettably we have taken the decision to postpone our seasonal opening due to
Government advice in regards to Covid-19.
We will keep you up to date (follow us on Facebook and Instagram)
and hope to see you all very soon.
If you need any advice Covid-19 please refer to
The society was formed in the 70s, but after having several sites since then we have been at Thorne Memorial Park from 1998. (Postcode DN8 5DZ, contact phone No. 01405 817937).
The track is 5" & 71/4" gauge ground level, which has a double loop with a crossover. Public running is on Sundays from Easter to the end of October.
The first running days for 2020 are Easter Sunday 12th April . Please check this website for further information as our open days will be limited due to staffing and weather
The main attraction for 2020 is the towns Summer Festival which is the last weekend in July every year This been
the 25th and 26th of July.
The society welcomes all new members that have a interest in model engineering and can come and help out on running days. If you are interested please ring the above number and ask for Paul.
Visiting model locomotives and traction engines are most welcome by prior notice. If it is steam a current boiler
certificate will be required.
New members are welcome the first three months is FREE then £10 per year so if you interested give us a ring 01405 817937.
This year 2020 running times have been changed from 12 noon to 3-30pm. Rides for all classes are 70p on normal running Sundays and £1 at Summer Festival.
Also we are selling multi ride tickets which can be used on normal Sundays NOT Summer Festival £6 for 10 rides.
All dates are weather permitting.
SORRY BUT DUE TO THE CURRENT VIRUS THE RUNNING DAYS ON THIS WEBSITE HAVE BEEN CANCELLED TILL FURTHER NOTICE.
BUT WHEN IT IS SAFE TO CONTNUE WE WILL INFORM YOU AND HOPE TO SEE THEN STAY SAFE.
Trains running in Thorne Memorial Park
A History of the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society
By Paul Tattersall
Born in the late 1970’s out of an idea to form a society to further the aims of those with an
interest of model engineering the then Doncaster Model Engineering Society was formed.
The first meeting was held at The Sun Inn in Doncaster, this came about by a Mr. Harry
Coupland placing a ad. in the then Doncaster Evening Post.
The society first constructed a 900ft. 5” & 71/4” ground level track at the rear of the Doncaster
Plant Works at the works social club Eden Grove. Many famous locomotives were built at the
Doncaster Plant Works. Mallard, Flying Scotsman and many more. After five years the society
was told that under the top soil where the track was laid was the dumping ground for old boiler
lagging BLUE ASBESTOS.
At the end of 1984 after the finish of the running season it was decided to move but the track
had been moved by someone unknown to the members.
Members started to meet at a local factory whose owner was a member. Then another member
who had a very large garden offered to allow the society to put a track down, but sadly after his
death we were on the move again. This time a the rear of a pub in a local village called
Sykehouse, but this was short lived so it was on the move again.
In 1996 the society approached Thorne Parish Council to see if it was possible to put a track in
the local park and was greeted by the Council. Plans were submitted and pasted. The council
offered a brick building as a workshop and loco shed which the members accepted with open
arms. A opening at one end was made with double steel doors fitted to get rolling stock in and
out. The first length of track was laid in 1998 about 150ft ready for the towns Summer Festival
at end of July, this takes place every year on the last weekend in July.
By 1999 a continues loop of 5” and 71/4” ground level track was installed. Next came a inner
loop with new flat bottomed rail also plastic sleepers. The winter of 2012 a crossover and new
points were made and fitted.
A History of the Doncaster & District Model Engineering Society
By Paul Tattersall
Born in the late 1970’s out of an idea to form a society to further the aims of those with an
interest of model engineering the then Doncaster Model Engineering Society was formed.
The first meeting was held at The Sun Inn in Doncaster, this came about by a Mr. Harry
Coupland placing a ad. in the then Doncaster Evening Post.
The society first constructed a 900ft. 5” & 71/4” ground level track at the rear of the Doncaster
Plant Works at the works social club Eden Grove. Many famous locomotives were built at the
Doncaster Plant Works. Mallard, Flying Scotsman and many more. After five years the society
was told that under the top soil where the track was laid was the dumping ground for old boiler
lagging BLUE ASBESTOS.
At the end of 1984 after the finish of the running season it was decided to move but the track
had been moved by someone unknown to the members.
Members started to meet at a local factory whose owner was a member. Then another member
who had a very large garden offered to allow the society to put a track down, but sadly after his
death we were on the move again. This time a the rear of a pub in a local village called
Sykehouse, but this was short lived so it was on the move again.
In 1996 the society approached Thorne Parish Council to see if it was possible to put a track in
the local park and was greeted by the Council. Plans were submitted and pasted. The council
offered a brick building as a workshop and loco shed which the members accepted with open
arms. A opening at one end was made with double steel doors fitted to get rolling stock in and
out. The first length of track was laid in 1998 about 150ft ready for the towns Summer Festival
at end of July, this takes place every year on the last weekend in July.
By 1999 a continues loop of 5” and 71/4” ground level track was installed. Next came a inner
loop with new flat bottomed rail also plastic sleepers. The winter of 2012 a crossover and new
points were made and fitted.
Thank you from my grandson Alex & I. We had a lovely time on the railway &
in the park. Great fun for the little ones & explaining all about the engines is
just fabulous
New type passenger coach
Station Sign
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