Basildon Miniature Railway celebrates grand reopening

The Basildon Miniature Railway, in Pitsea’s Wat Tyler Country Park, has been painstakingly restored since falling into disrepair and closing in 2019.

On Sunday, councillors, volunteers and excited south Essex residents gathered at the rural railway to mark its much anticipated return.

Pride - Dan addressed residents at the railway's grand reopening (Image: Dan Harrison) In a moving tribute to lead volunteer Dan Harrison’s recently-passed father and former Mayor of Basildon, David Harrison, the railway’s station was named in the late councillor’s honour.

We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at https://bit.ly/4eGOxig to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone.

Dan, who helped lay the original track as a teenager in the 1980s and has led the effort to regenerate the railway, said: “Yesterday was the official reopening of the railway where the station was named after my late father, David Harrison, who served on Basildon council for over 50 years.

Fun - Families have been making the most of the newly refurbished miniature railway (Image: Dan Harrison) “Dignitaries from the local authority attended a ceremony to cut the cake and ribbon.

“Thank you to my family, especially my mum, the council, especially the park staff and my amazing volunteers.

“I’d like to also thank Hastings Miniature Railway and and Ropley Miniature Railway for their support.”

Passion - The railway has been carefully restored by Dan and his team of volunteers (Image: Dan Harrison) David Harrison passed away on Friday April 4, and has been remembered by family members, residents and fellow councillors as a committed husband, father and public servant. 

He was born in Laindon in 1938, and witnessed the creation of the Basildon new town before going on to become its Mayor.

Over the past five years, Dan and his team of dedicated volunteers have given hours of their free time to the project of revitalising the neglected railway.

It is one of the longest of its kind anywhere in Essex and offers passengers a scenic journey through Wat Tyler Country Park.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council, was one of those in attendance on Sunday.

Family - Dan Harrison with mum, Linda, and Gillian Palmer, Deputy Mayor of Basildon (Image: Dan Harrison) He said: “I was honoured to join the Deputy Mayor of Basildon and the Harrison family for the official opening of the Basildon Miniature Railway.

“It was a privilege to stand alongside the wife and son of former councillor David Harrison who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to get the railway renovated and reopened. Their dedication, together with the brilliant efforts of all the volunteers and council officers, has brought this much-loved attraction back to life.

Celebration - Councillors, residents and volunteers gathered for the railway's reopening (Image: Gavin Callaghan) “The railway is buzzing every day with families bringing their children to enjoy Wat Tyler Park.

“I am looking forward to working with the team to see how we can support plans to extend the track, add stations and create even more fun along the way.”

Tribute - The railway's station was named after Dan's late father (Image: Dan Harrison) Mr Callaghan went on to encourage residents who have not yet visited the railway to do so and said that he has nominated Dan for the Alf Dove Award for an outstanding contribution to the local community.

The award seeks to recognise significant contributions made by individuals to the wellbeing of the community in Basildon.