Sutton Park Miniature Railway

A short film from approx 1960(?) of the miniature steam railway in Sutton Park near Birmingham. This site was operated by the Pat Collins amusement company for many years as a static amusement park, and they also operated the steam miniature railway seen here. They eventually sold the railway and several of their steam traction engines along with a couple of mechanical fairground organs to Tom and Bill Hunt who are seen in this film. Tom and Bill carried out repairs on Collins traction engines at their Oldbury foundry for many years, and actually built the steam engines seen here especially for Sutton Park Railway. The engines are now (I believe) at the Cleethorpes Miniature Railway. If you know more details, or the names of people in the film, please comment!

[@DNWARR1]

That takes me back many years, I used to cycle to the park, have a ride on the train and spend some of my pocket money in the fair.
Does anyone remember the old crystal palace building which was there.
Bought back very fond memories
thankyou

[@Nigel_Gardiner]

I am too young to remember that, but I do help Bill Hunt out with his fairground organ that was in the ride near the station in this film.....there are films of it on my channel.

[@TheObscurePerception]

Love to see this, I grew up spending time cycling into the park playing in the ruins of the past of the park. 28 years old now

[@beverleyking]

There is an extensive filming on the line in a black and white episode of the"Avengers" with Diana Rigg tied to the track! Series 4 episode 8 broadcast 20/11/65. Marvellous footage!

[@fordtimelord7383]

That was actually filmed at the Stapleford Miniature Railway in Leicestershire.

[@beverleyking]

Happy memories indeed of a visit in 1965 - thanks fir that/1

[@ronbeat5925]

Brilliant. Used to visit the park in late 1940s/early 1950s and often travelled on the trains. The locos/rolling stock/ station canopy now in use with the Cleethorpes Coastal Light Railway and have travelled on that too

[@Nigel_Gardiner]

I don't suppose you would have any pictures of the old fairground ride that used to be opposite the station in Sutton by any chance, would you?

[@ronbeat5925]

Nigel Gardiner www.sutton-coldfield.net/crystalpalace.html that link should work and will show wot you seek

[@colinshorey4101]

I remember it well.

[@ronbeat5925]

Can well remember the old Crystal Palace building DNWARR1. There were pics of the old Pat Collins fun fair etc at www.sutton-coldfield.net/crystal palace.html but just ran a check and site no longer exists

[@davecardboard9567]

I recall visiting the "swings" in Sutton park in the 1970's with my Grandparents to be told that the building (then still standing) "used to be the station for a minature railway." I'd love to know what the track layout was, if anyone has knowledge or any maps.

[@SirSteveUK]

It was a straightforward out and back with a large return loop - imagine the outline of a traditional smokers pipe

[@robbending3848]

Any ideas where the carriage is being outshopped from around 4:20 into the film?

[@Nigel_Gardiner]

+Rob Bending Yes - from the then owner's business premises, Hunt Bros. Griffin Foundry , Oldbury, Near Birmingham. All of the footage from the beginning was filmed there. At Griffin foundry, the Hunt family used to carry out all the maintenance work on Pat Collins' traction engine fleet, some of which they purchased for preservation. I believe the engines "Sutton Belle" and "Sutton flyer" were built by Thomas Hunt at the foundry for the Sutton Railway.

[@dylangill2140]

@@Nigel_Gardiner that's correct, I work at the Cleethorpes coast light railway and these engines are stationed there. Sutton Belle and Sutton Flyer are improved designs of little giant class of locomotives built for 15inch gauge. They used blueprints from Mighty Atom, the first 15inch gauge engine to run on the SMR

[@davecaulkin986]

I remember it well .why did they get rid of it ?.

[@andrewgill1616]

the lease on the land ran out and the council didn't let them extend the lease. everything got put into storage and was left there until the Cleethorpes coast light railway found it all in the early 2000's. my son volunteers there and he has mentioned about them in most conversations.

[@ronbeat5925]

There are two clips on here of the same locos and stock running on the Cleethopes Coastal Light Railway where they are now homed
czcams.com/video/HujD0WYQCdM/video.html
czcams.com/video/RepVXr8Rx4M/video.html

[@ronbeat5925]

I've just looked in my "Favourites" bar in IE and the link to the fun fair site incl Crystal Palace DOES work so have copied and pasted the website addy here in hope it will work www.sutton-coldfield.net/crystalpalace.html Ah yes, just looked at post I made yesterday and I got the addy wrong.