HISTORY

The East Herts Miniature Railway Society Ltd. was founded in 1978 by a small group of railway enthusiasts, after a spate of vandalism at a previous society.
In July of that year, a single circuit of track was open for public passenger carrying, which incorporated a tunnel and a station area. Since then, the society has grown enormously in many different ways - including the construction of Amwell bridge and ‘Great Amwell Station’. We have our own established workshop with covered steaming bays and a colour-light signaling system. Major changes in the landscaping of the site have taken place from a flat site.
In 1996, the whole track, which was just ‘flat-bar’, was replaced with new ‘flat-bottom’ rail, costing many thousands of pounds - giving a more stable ride and safer train operation.
2001 saw the 3/4 millionth passenger.
In 2005 we built a station canopy.
EHMR hosted SEQLEC in 2001. They entered TCB Miller without any special preparation, steam leaking from all glands, etc, but we still came third!!!
2003 saw not only our 25th Birthday but also the 50th for our landlords, Van Hages Garden Centre.

OUR AIMS

Based at the Van Hage Garden Centre near Ware, Hertfordshire, we aim to provide, develop, maintain and operate a passenger carrying 7 1/4” gauge miniature railway service for the general public, particularly children.
By charging nominal fares for these rides and after defraying the cost of maintenance of the track and rolling stock, we are able to donate to charitable organizations and other good causes. For over 20 years we have supported Amwell View Special School, Herts, which caters for the education & welfare of the physically and / or mentally handicapped pupils.
We, as members, derive much pleasure from our active involvement in the society, knowing that we are supporting children in unfortunate circumstances.

THE MOTIVE POWER

TCB Miller - 0-4-2 TinkerBell Class, Green - Pictures
This engine was built in .... by Andrew Robelou with steel boiler by Bennetts. This has been the workhorse of the society for many years and it must have been pulling passengers for about 15,000 miles.

Tinker - 0-4-2 Tinkerbell Class, maroon - Pictures
Chassis built by Andrew Robelou in .... and purchased by the society in 2001. Soon to be renamed.

John L Patton - 2-6-2 Petrol Hydraulic Sit in Loco. Blue- Pictures
This loco was built in .... and was rebuilt in 2000 after many gruelling miles of service. This loco will pull anything and has just had a new engine fitted.

H.G. Harrison - 0-4-0 Petrol Hydraulic, British Racing Green- Pictures
Built as a basic loco by Roanoke in 2000 and modified by Pete Smith ( PJS ). This loco is driven from the tender and therefore it is perfect for the larger members of the society or disabled people.

Ellan Bee - 2-4-2. Pictures
Formally owned by the late Robin Lee. Tinkerbell Chassis and body based on the Lynton and Barnstable ( L&B ). Appeared at 7 1/4 Gauge Society AGM in Belfast, Weston Park and Comrie.

Members Locos include:

• 0-4-0 De Winton owned by G Nixon and featured in Model Engineer Vol: 188, Number 4164. - Pictures
• 0-4-0 Hunslet owned by A Robelou.
• 0-6-0 B/E HAPTOO & 0-6-0 B/E ELF designed and build by Pete Smith.
• 0-6-0 Romolus St. George owned by A Cairns.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

The railway is run entirely by volunteer members. We have approximately 40 members at present, who automatically enroll in the membership roster system. The roster only requires members to attend approximately 10 times per year, but a large proportion of members turn up more frequently, which we encourage and you are more than welcome to do!.
You are more than welcome to informally visit us on any weekend and meet some of the members involved in the society’s activities. Visiting locos welcome with boilern certificates.

We are open on:
Saturdays 11am - 5pm
Sundays 11 am - 4.30pm
Bank Holidays 11am - 5pm

HELP

We are in need of volunteer members to come and help along-side our existing friendly team that operate the railway.
You will be trained to:

• run the station and booking office to assist the operations manager,
• maintain and drive petrol and steam-driven locomotives ,
• maintain and help with the various jobs required to keep the railway safe and tidy.
• Also, we would ask you to help with your own expertise and experience to achieve our aims.

If you feel you can help us and would like to participate in our activities, please feel free to come along (informally), on any weekend between 11am and 4pm - where you will be made most welcome.

Alternatively, please contact:-

Click here for a map to EHMR

Pictures of the railway may be found at website address:- http://www.ehmr.co.uk