NOSTALGIA: Do you recognise these mini-railway drivers?

I make no excuses for publishing these three photographs of the Southsea miniature railway as film-maker Alan Wallbank would like to discover the names of the drivers.
And the name of this driver?And the name of this driver?
And the name of this driver?

Alan has produced a film of the railway and has also been up to Lincolnshire to see the engines in operation on the Kirkby Green Light Railway. 

The owner, Stuart Ravell, bought the locomotives and then recommissioned them on his private railway line. It is quite superb, believe me.

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If you know the names of the drivers on the two locomotives then please contact Alan on [email protected].

Do you recognise the driver? A picture from Alan Wallbanks collection of Southsea Miniature Railway.Do you recognise the driver? A picture from Alan Wallbanks collection of Southsea Miniature Railway.
Do you recognise the driver? A picture from Alan Wallbanks collection of Southsea Miniature Railway.

His film will be available to be seen by members of the public at special invitation. I shall let you know the details as soon as possible.

Seen departing Southsea station with a full head of steam, above, and a full load of children the driver takes his train on the circular route that takes the track around where the bandstand is today.

The second picture also shows the carriages fully-laden with children with '˜grown-up' children watching with as much delight as the youngsters. I keep looking for myself in these old photographs of the railway as I was always on it when down that way.

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Wally Shufflebottom is a well known name in Portsmouth. He owned the Queen's Hotel until recently and Clarence Pier Funfair. He also owned and ran the Southsea miniature railway from 1977 to 1984.

An American loco on Southsea Miniature Railway. It ran from 1977 to 1984.An American loco on Southsea Miniature Railway. It ran from 1977 to 1984.
An American loco on Southsea Miniature Railway. It ran from 1977 to 1984.

In the third photo is an American-designed loco which was powered by electricity. In later years another of the same design was bought and placed on the other end to save using the turntable.

'¢Â On June 24, 1911, King George V and Queen Mary departed Portsmouth on the royal yacht Victoria and Albert for the coronation review of the fleet at Spithead.

On show were 167 ships of the Royal Navy alone plus 187 from foreign navies. They were in five lines each six miles long '“  yes, 30 miles of warships. Unbelievable today. It was estimated there were a quarter of a million spectators. The figurehead of the Victoria and Albert now has pride of place in HMS Nelson on part of the former parade ground.

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'¢ Next month we are planning a Remember When special on Britain's oldest theme park '“ and we're hoping for your help.

The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert leaving Portsmouth Harbour.
Picture: Barry CoxThe Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert leaving Portsmouth Harbour.
Picture: Barry Cox
The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert leaving Portsmouth Harbour. Picture: Barry Cox

Most of us have been to Blackgang Chine in the Isle of Wight at some point, whether as children, parents or grandparents, and this year marks its 175th anniversary.

If you have any pictures or video clips of family days out there which we could borrow, please e-mail them to [email protected].

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