Hastings Miniature Railway: Difference between revisions

Hastings Miniature Railway
Hastings Miniature Railway
	The eastern terminus, Rock-a-Nore, with a train in the station in 2011.
Locale	Hastings, East Sussex, England
Preserved operations
Preserved gauge	10+1⁄4 in (260 mm)
Commercial history
Opened	1948
Website
	www.hastingsminiaturerailway.co.uk

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 23:26, 13 November 2024

The Hastings Miniature Railway is a 10+1⁄4 in (260 mm) gauge miniature railway located on the seafront at Hastings, a seaside resort, town, and ancient cinque port, in East Sussex, England. Opened in 1948, it remains a popular tourist attraction. The line was re-opened in the summer of 2011 after a period of reconstruction and restoration, which coincided with a forced closure of the eastern part of the line, to facilitate building work on a new art gallery adjacent to the railway.

Early history

The railway entrepreneur Captain J.E.P. Howey, who built and owned the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, had a great interest in miniature railway locomotives generally and acquired several locomotives of assorted gauges. One was a 10+1⁄4 in (260 mm) gauge model Great Western Railway pannier tank which Howey had rebuilt as an 0-6-0 tender locomotive named 'Firefly'. He also acquired a scale model Royal Scot engine of the same gauge. Although these engines were of too narrow a gauge for his railway, they did briefly operate after the second world war on a short length of track re-gauged for the purpose, near New Romney.^[1] They also operated (particularly Firefly) near Dymchurch, on a section of 10+1⁄4 in (260 mm) gauge track established alongside the main 15 in (381 mm) gauge running lines just before the outbreak of war, and continuing there until 1947. They were then relocated to St Leonards-on-Sea where Howey operated a small miniature railway for less than a year. Local complaints led to the line being relocated to Hastings and sold to Ian Allan and Jim Hughes,^[1] which was the beginning of the Hastings Miniature Railway, opening in 1948.

Hastings Miniature Railway

Legend

					Rock-a-Nore


					Marine Parade

Operation from 1948 to 1984

The railway's headquarters and engine sheds were constructed in 1948^[2] at Rock-a-Nore, an urban area of old Hastings, dominated by the fishing industry, and the line ran from here along the beach (known locally as 'The Stade') to a railway station near the lifeboat station.

In 1959 the line was extended to a new terminus at Marine Parade, provided with a single-platform station and run-round loop, and taking the full extent of the line to a little over 600 yards.^{[citation needed]}

Former locomotives

Firefly, built H.C.S. Bullock, in 1936 (as GWR 0-6-0PT No 3007); rebuilt 1945 by RHDR engineers as 0-6-0 tender locomotive. This engine is perhaps the one most closely associated with the Hastings Miniature Railway, having operated there from the opening of the line in 1948 until 1984, when it was sold to the Kerr's Miniature Railway in Scotland. Having been the principal engine at Hastings, it has retained that role (and the original number, 3007) in Scotland, where it still runs today.^[3]
Royal Scot, built Bassett-Lowke in 1938, a 4-6-0 tender locomotive No 6100, being a scale model of LMS Royal Scot Class 6100 Royal Scot. Purchased in 1947 from the Marquess of Downshire by Captain J.E.P. Howey. This locomotive was steamed by the eccentric Howey in his living room, causing enormous damage to the property.^[4] The engine operated at Hastings for many years from the line's opening in 1948, until spring 1975 when it was sold, and appears in many historic photographs.^[5]
Hampton Court, built Twinings Models, in 1939 (as a simple 4-4-2 design), supplied to Dudley Zoo Railway as a third engine there. After running on railways at Cleethorpes, Lowestoft, and Hunstanton, the engine came to Hastings in 1958 and was rebuilt by Jim Hughes as a GWR Saint Class 4-6-0 tender engine No 2943, Hampton Court. The engine was sold in 1974 and moved to the Stapleford Miniature Railway, where it continues to operate.^[6]

Operation since 1984

In 2008 the railway's old passenger carriages (still in regular use) were repainted in a standard livery (they had previously been painted assorted colours since the late 1980s) and a new railway logo was applied.^[7] Eleven passenger carriages were then available - seven in the main articulated set, and four spare vehicles. The locomotive Swee' Pea was rebuilt to a less angular design.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b Derek Smith (29 August 2008). "Dymchurch 10.25" gauge railway". Miniature Railway World. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2011.^{[unreliable source?]}
^ ^a ^b "Hastings Miniature Railway". Miniature Railway World. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
^ "Firefly 3007". Kerr's Miniature Railway. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011.
^ Snell, J.B. (1993). One man's railway (Rev. ed.). Nairn: David St John Thomas. pp. 81, 88. ISBN 0-946537-80-1.
^ "About Magazine Issue 27 - Spring 2005". Hastings Borough Council. Archived from the original on 24 December 2006.
^ "Number 2943 Hampton Court at Hastings Miniature Railway". Stephenson Locomotive Society.
^ "Hastings Miniature Railway". Miniature Railway World. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2011.^{[unreliable source?]}

External links

Official website

50°51′18″N 0°35′19″E / 50.85513°N 0.5886°E / 50.85513; 0.5886

[Dymchurchline-1] Derek Smith (29 August 2008). "Dymchurch 10.25" gauge railway". Miniature Railway World. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2011.^{[unreliable source?]}

[mrw-2] "Hastings Miniature Railway". Miniature Railway World. Retrieved 11 May 2011.

[3] "Firefly 3007". Kerr's Miniature Railway. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011.

[4] Snell, J.B. (1993). One man's railway (Rev. ed.). Nairn: David St John Thomas. pp. 81, 88. ISBN 0-946537-80-1.

[5] "About Magazine Issue 27 - Spring 2005". Hastings Borough Council. Archived from the original on 24 December 2006.

[6] "Number 2943 Hampton Court at Hastings Miniature Railway". Stephenson Locomotive Society.

[7] "Hastings Miniature Railway". Miniature Railway World. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2011.^{[unreliable source?]}

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Rideable miniature railway in the UK}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
 {{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
@@ Line 4: / Line 5: @@
 {{Infobox heritage railway
  | name               = Hastings Miniature Railway
+ | other_name         =
+ | logo               =
+ | logo_width         =
+ | logo_alt           =
+ | image              = Hastings Miniature Railway.jpg
+ | image_width        =
+ | image_alt          =
+ | caption            = The eastern terminus, Rock-a-Nore, with a train in the station in 2011.
  | locale             = [[Hastings]], [[East Sussex]], [[England]]
  | terminus           =
@@ Line 25: / Line 33: @@
  | routemap_state     =
 }}
-The '''Hastings Miniature Railway''' is a {{Track gauge|10.25in|lk=on}} gauge [[Ridable miniature railway|miniature railway]] located on the seafront at [[Hastings]], a seaside resort, town, and ancient [[Cinque ports|cinque port]], in [[East Sussex]], [[England]]. Opened in 1948, it remains a popular tourist attraction.
+The '''Hastings Miniature Railway''' is a {{Track gauge|10.25in|lk=on}} gauge [[Ridable miniature railway|miniature railway]] located on the seafront at [[Hastings]], a seaside resort, town, and ancient [[Cinque ports|cinque port]], in [[East Sussex]], [[England]]. Opened in 1948, it remains a popular tourist attraction. The line was re-opened in the summer of 2011 after a period of reconstruction and restoration, which coincided with a forced closure of the eastern part of the line, to facilitate building work on a new art gallery adjacent to the railway.
 ==Early history==
-The railway entrepreneur Captain J.E.P. Howey, who built and owned the [[Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway]], had a great interest in miniature railway locomotives generally and acquired several locomotives of assorted gauges. One was a {{Track gauge|10.25in}} gauge model [[Great Western Railway]] [[GWR 0-6-0PT|pannier tank]] which Howey had rebuilt as an [[0-6-0]] tender locomotive named 'Firefly'. He also acquired a scale model [[LMS Royal Scot Class|Royal Scot]] engine of the same gauge. Although these engines were of too narrow a gauge for his railway, they did briefly operate after the second world war on a short length of track re-gauged for the purpose, near New Romney.<ref name=Dymchurchline>{{cite web |author=Derek Smith |url=http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/search/?c=1&q=New+Romney+Hastings&type=post&sort=desc&forum%5B%5D=3002587&s_m=8&s_d=14&s_y=2006&e_m=5&e_d=10&e_y=2011 |title=Dymchurch 10.25" gauge railway |date=29 August 2008 |access-date=10 May 2011 |website=Miniature Railway World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102201416/http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/search/?c=1&q=New+Romney+Hastings&type=post&sort=desc&forum%5B%5D=3002587&s_m=8&s_d=14&s_y=2006&e_m=5&e_d=10&e_y=2011 |archive-date=2 January 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{unreliable source|date=January 2018}}</ref> They also operated (particularly Firefly) near Dymchurch, on a section of {{Track gauge|10.25in}} gauge track established alongside the main {{Track gauge|15in|lk=on}} gauge running lines just before the outbreak of war, and continuing there until 1947. They were then relocated to [[St Leonards-on-Sea]] where Howey operated a small miniature railway for less than a year. Local complaints led to the line being relocated to Hastings and sold to [[Ian Allan (publisher)|Ian Allan]] and Jim Hughes,<ref name=Dymchurchline/> which was the beginning of the Hastings Miniature Railway, opening in 1948.
+The railway entrepreneur Captain J.E.P. Howey, who built and owned the [[Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway]], had a great interest in miniature railway locomotives generally and acquired several locomotives of assorted gauges. One was a {{Track gauge|10.25in}} gauge model [[Great Western Railway]] [[GWR 0-6-0PT|pannier tank]] which Howey had rebuilt as an [[0-6-0]] tender locomotive named 'Firefly'. He also acquired a scale model [[LMS Royal Scot Class|Royal Scot]] engine of the same gauge. Although these engines were of too narrow a gauge for his railway, they did briefly operate after the second world war on a short length of track re-gauged for the purpose, near New Romney.<ref name=Dymchurchline>{{cite web |author=Derek Smith |url=http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/search/?c=1&q=New+Romney+Hastings&type=post&sort=desc&forum%5B%5D=3002587&s_m=8&s_d=14&s_y=2006&e_m=5&e_d=10&e_y=2011 |title=Dymchurch 10.25" gauge railway |date=29 August 2008 |access-date=10 May 2011 |website=Miniature Railway World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102201416/http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/search/?c=1&q=New+Romney+Hastings&type=post&sort=desc&forum%5B%5D=3002587&s_m=8&s_d=14&s_y=2006&e_m=5&e_d=10&e_y=2011 |archive-date=2 January 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{unreliable source|date=January 2018}}</ref> They also operated (particularly Firefly) near Dymchurch, on a section of {{Track gauge|10.25in}} gauge track established alongside the main {{Track gauge|15in|lk=on}} gauge running lines just before the outbreak of war, and continuing there until 1947. They were then relocated to [[St Leonards-on-Sea]] where Howey operated a small miniature railway for less than a year. Local complaints led to the line being relocated to Hastings and sold to [[Ian Allan (publisher)|Ian Allan]] and Jim Hughes,<ref name=Dymchurchline/> which was the beginning of the Hastings Miniature Railway, opening in 1948.{{Hastings Miniature Railway RDT}}
-==Stations==
-{{Hastings Miniature Railway RDT}}
-*'''Rock-a-Nore Station''' is the headquarters of the railway. Originally it had one platform, later developed to two; it has now returned to a single platform. A turntable was installed around 1960, and removed around 1980. In 2011 the turntable was restored. The station has always featured a station building, engine shed, carriage shed, and sidings. Since 2011 it also features a purpose-built engineering workshop. The station is located in the fishing industry's area of Hastings, and is surrounded by fishing net houses, fishing boats, and the fishermen's church and museum.
-*'''East Beach Street Station''' was the original western terminus of the line from 1948 to 1959. Also known as 'East Beach Station' and as 'East Hastings Station', it featured two platforms (one to the north of the running lines, and one central island platform) and a station building. After the line was extended westwards in 1959, East Beach Street became a through station, and was equipped with signals to permit two-train operation. The station closed around 1970. The central island platform was removed in 1981 and the passing loop was removed in 1990. However, in 2010 the passing loop was restored, and trains now pass each other at this location again. One platform (the northern platform) is still in place. The station is located on the beach, near the lifeboat station.
-*'''Marine Parade Station''' has been the western terminus of the railway since 1959. There is a single platform (to the south of the running line), a large station building and ticket office, and a run-round loop. The station is located in the centre of the tourist area of Hastings, on the main coast road, and is surrounded by hotels, attractions, rides, amusements, and restaurants. Following track relaying in early 2012, the station track-plan also features a short siding. In 2020 a turntable was installed, which came into regular use on 4 July 2020,<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/people/seafront-miniature-railway-re-opens-new-improvements-2908486 |title = Seafront miniature railway re-opens with new improvements |last= Hemsley|first= Andy|date= 9 July 2020|publisher = Hastings & St Leonards Observer |location= |archive-url= |archive-date= |url-status=live |access-date = 26 August 2021 |quote= }}</ref> allowing locomotives to be turned at both ends of the line.
 ==Operation from 1948 to 1984==
-[[File:Hastings Miniature Railway Firefly.jpg|thumb|Train with ''Firefly'', in 1976]]
+[[File:Hastings Miniature Railway Firefly.jpg|thumb|left|Train with ''Firefly'', in 1976]]
-The railway's headquarters and engine sheds were constructed in 1948<ref name=mrw>{{cite web|url=http://www.miniaturerailwayworld.co.uk/Hastings.html |title=Hastings Miniature Railway |website=Miniature Railway World |access-date=11 May 2011}}</ref> at [[Rock-a-Nore]], an urban area of old Hastings, dominated by the fishing industry, and the line ran from here along the beach (known locally as 'The Stade') to a railway station near the [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution|lifeboat]] station. This station has variously been named East Hastings Station, East Beach Station, and East Beach Street Station. For a while in the 1950s (possibly into the 1960s) scale model buses were operated alongside the station in a similar manner to the [[Kerr's Miniature Railway]] today.
+The railway's headquarters and engine sheds were constructed in 1948<ref name=mrw>{{cite web|url=http://www.miniaturerailwayworld.co.uk/Hastings.html |title=Hastings Miniature Railway |website=Miniature Railway World |access-date=11 May 2011}}</ref> at [[Rock-a-Nore]], an urban area of old Hastings, dominated by the fishing industry, and the line ran from here along the beach (known locally as 'The Stade') to a railway station near the [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution|lifeboat]] station.
+In 1959 the line was extended to a new terminus at Marine Parade, provided with a single-platform station and run-round loop, and taking the full extent of the line to a little over 600 yards.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
-In 1959 the line was extended to a new terminus at Marine Parade,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=309616582920&v=info| website=Facebook| title=(untitled)}}{{unreliable source|date=January 2018}}{{dead link|date=January 2018}}</ref> provided with a single-platform station and run-round loop, and taking the full extent of the line to a little over 600 yards. The original station, now at the centre of the line, was retained, and provided passing facilities for two trains travelling in opposite directions. Rock-a-Nore station had one platform, a waiting shelter, a water-tower, a double-road engine shed, and a three-road carriage shed, including the main running line which passed through this shed, but was also available for storage of rolling stock at night. A second platform was later provided (by the addition of a concrete island between the main platform and the run-round loop), and a turntable was installed around 1960, having previously been sited at East Hastings.
+== Former locomotives ==
-The line was operated by scale model steam locomotives, particularly 'Firefly', the engine with the most celebrated and long-lived association with the railway. Diesel locomotives later operated, of which the most well-known was 'Uncle Jim', operating from 1968 to 1989. Through the bulk of this period, these two locomotives provided the regular service, and it is 'Firefly' and 'Uncle Jim' who were iconically depicted on the railway's advertising hoarding at Marine Parade.
-In 1984 the railway changed ownership and from that point onwards only diesel locomotives were used.
-===Former locomotives===
 *'''Firefly''', built H.C.S. Bullock, in 1936 (as GWR 0-6-0PT No 3007); rebuilt 1945 by [[RHDR]] engineers as 0-6-0 tender locomotive. This engine is perhaps the one most closely associated with the Hastings Miniature Railway, having operated there from the opening of the line in 1948 until 1984, when it was sold to the [[Kerr's Miniature Railway]] in Scotland. Having been the principal engine at Hastings, it has retained that role (and the original number, 3007) in Scotland, where it still runs today.<ref>{{cite web| website=Kerr's Miniature Railway| url=http://www.kerrsminiaturerailway.co.uk/firefly.html| title=Firefly 3007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320075646/http://www.kerrsminiaturerailway.co.uk/firefly.html| archive-date=20 March 2011}}</ref>
-*'''Royal Scot''', built [[Bassett-Lowke]] in 1938, a [[4-6-0]] tender locomotive No 6100, being a scale model of [[LMS Royal Scot Class 6100 Royal Scot]]. Purchased in 1947 from the Marquess of Downshire by Captain J.E.P. Howey. This locomotive was steamed by the eccentric Howey in his living room, causing enormous damage to the property.<ref>{{cite book| pages=81, 88| last=Snell| first=J.B.| date=1993| title=One man's railway| edition=Rev.| location=Nairn| publisher=David St John Thomas| isbn=0-946537-80-1}}</ref> The engine operated at Hastings for many years from the line's opening in 1948, until spring 1975 when it was sold, and appears in many historic photographs.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hastings.gov.uk/about/issue27_about.aspx| website=Hastings Borough Council| title=About Magazine Issue 27 - Spring 2005| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061224021332/http://www.hastings.gov.uk/about/issue27_about.aspx| archive-date=24 December 2006}}</ref> It was later relocated to the Oakhill Manor Railway. Subsequently exported to the United States of America, the locomotive returned to England in 2002 and now operates at the [[Royal Victoria Railway]].
+*'''Royal Scot''', built [[Bassett-Lowke]] in 1938, a [[4-6-0]] tender locomotive No 6100, being a scale model of [[LMS Royal Scot Class 6100 Royal Scot]]. Purchased in 1947 from the Marquess of Downshire by Captain J.E.P. Howey. This locomotive was steamed by the eccentric Howey in his living room, causing enormous damage to the property.<ref>{{cite book| pages=81, 88| last=Snell| first=J.B.| date=1993| title=One man's railway| edition=Rev.| location=Nairn| publisher=David St John Thomas| isbn=0-946537-80-1}}</ref> The engine operated at Hastings for many years from the line's opening in 1948, until spring 1975 when it was sold, and appears in many historic photographs.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hastings.gov.uk/about/issue27_about.aspx| website=Hastings Borough Council| title=About Magazine Issue 27 - Spring 2005| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061224021332/http://www.hastings.gov.uk/about/issue27_about.aspx| archive-date=24 December 2006}}</ref>
 *'''Hampton Court''', built Twinings Models, in 1939 (as a simple [[4-4-2 (locomotive)|4-4-2]] design), supplied to Dudley Zoo Railway as a third engine there. After running on railways at [[Cleethorpes]], [[Lowestoft]], and [[Hunstanton]], the engine came to Hastings in 1958 and was rebuilt by Jim Hughes as a GWR [[GWR 2900 Class|Saint Class]] [[4-6-0]] tender engine No 2943, Hampton Court. The engine was sold in 1974 and moved to the [[Stapleford Miniature Railway]], where it continues to operate.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.stephensonloco.org.uk/sls_jacobs5.htm| website=Stephenson Locomotive Society| title=Number 2943 Hampton Court at Hastings Miniature Railway}}</ref>
-*'''Uncle Jim''', built J. Hughes, in 1968, a 4-4wDM (no number). Uncle Jim provided diesel motive power at Hastings, and ran from 1968 to 1993. The locomotive was the first to be constructed at Hastings, and wore a blue and yellow livery, and later a deep maroon livery with gold lining-out, and still later a deep green livery. For a while the engine ran in bare-metal silver. It provided a simpler means of operation than the traditional steam locomotives. The locomotive subsequently operated at Knebworth Park Miniature Railway in [[Hertfordshire]] until 2012. It has now returned to Hastings and, following a full overhaul, has re-entered service on its original railway, now carrying the fleet number 5 (see below).
-*'''Western Meteor''' was a 'Meteor' type diesel locomotive which operated on the railway from 1979 until 1982.
-*'''MIS-NAT''' was a central-cab diesel engine that operated on the railway from 1984 to 1990 and was replaced by Swee' Pea. Never popular, and known to locals as the 'Mecano engine', it appeared to be made out of spare parts. It was used briefly at the Brooklands Miniature Railway, then sold to the Engineers Emporium. It was purchased in 2002 for use on the Basildon Miniature railway and then stored by its present owner until 2013 when it was loaned back to Hastings. Bodywork alterations were carried out at Hastings, with a steam outline profile (see 6 below).
-There have been occasional visiting locomotives on the railway. '''Victoria''', a scale [[LMS Jubilee Class]] [[4-6-0]], operated trains on the railway in 1978 for just one weekend, on the occasion of the naming of the diesel locomotive 'Uncle Jim' (see above).
 ==Operation since 1984==
+In 2008 the railway's old passenger carriages (still in regular use) were repainted in a standard livery (they had previously been painted assorted colours since the late 1980s) and a new railway logo was applied.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/topic/7027324/1/| website=Miniature Railway World| title=Hastings Miniature Railway| access-date=11 May 2011| archive-date=14 July 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714123601/http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/topic/7027324/1/| url-status=dead}}{{unreliable source|date=January 2018}}</ref> Eleven passenger carriages were then available - seven in the main articulated set, and four spare vehicles. The locomotive Swee' Pea was rebuilt to a less angular design.<ref name=mrw/>
-During the 1980s there was a decline in the railway's fortunes and operations. Sidings at Rock-a-Nore were lifted or allowed to become overgrown, and facilities became shabby.
-In 1992 the owner removed most final traces of the now disused East Beach Station (a single platform remains on the landward side of the running line) and removed the passing loop at this location, bringing an end to the possibility of two-train operation. The remaining locomotives were sold, and a new steam-outline diesel-powered locomotive (Swee' Pea) was purchased from the [[Alan Keef]] engineering company in [[Herefordshire]].
-In 2008 the railway's old passenger carriages (still in regular use) were repainted in a standard livery (they had previously been painted assorted colours since the late 1980s) and a new railway logo was applied.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/topic/7027324/1/| website=Miniature Railway World| title=Hastings Miniature Railway}}{{unreliable source|date=January 2018}}</ref> Eleven passenger carriages were then available - seven in the main articulated set, and four spare vehicles. The locomotive Swee' Pea was rebuilt to a less angular design.<ref name=mrw/>
-In January 2010 the railway changed ownership and a new lease was granted to the railway on the condition that vast changes and investments were made.
-In August 2010 the railway had an official re-opening after extensive rebuilding and restoration work. Two new locomotives were added to the fleet, and construction began on a fourth engine, to enter service in 2011. Swee' Pea was repainted in a black livery, and the carriages were rebuilt, with new bodies on the original underframes. Two full rakes of carriages are now provided, and the railway has resumed the operation of a two-train service at busy periods. To facilitate this, the passing loop has been restored at East Beach Station, and in 2010 two trains passed each other for the first time in twenty-one years.
-In early 2011 extensive work was carried out at Rock-a-Nore Station, which has seen a vast improvement in presentation, and the restoration of much of the historical layout, features, and facilities of this station. The turntable has been reinstated, and the original two-road engine shed brought back into use. A new engineering workshop has been constructed and the platform lengthened.
-In early 2012 similar work was undertaken at Marine Parade Station, with all track relaid and renewed, and a new locomotive-stabling short siding installed.
-In April 2012 the railway was presented with the Railway of the Year award by the Ten and a Quarter Inch Gauge Railway Society.
-===Current locomotives===
-The current numbering system of the locomotive fleet was introduced in 2011 by the railway's new owners, Dan Radcliffe and David Miller. The numbers represent the sequence in which the current locomotives arrived (or arrived back) at Hastings, and not their chronological age, nor their time in service at Hastings.
-{| class="wikitable"
-!Number
-!Name
-!Locomotive type
-!Wheel <br>arrangement
-!Builder
-!Built
-!Photo
-!Notes
-|-
-|1
-|Edmund Hannay
-|Steam
-|0-4-2
-|David King
-|1972
-|
-|Built for the Wells harbour railway and ran there til 1995. It then moved to Knebworth Miniature railway before coming to hasting in 2014. It is privately owned.
-|-
-|2
-|Pilgrim
-|Steam
-|0-6-0
-|David king
-|1981
-|
-|Built for the Wells and Walsingham railway before being sold to work on a portable railway. It was purchased in the 90’s by Knebworth miniature railway. It arrived at Hastings in 2021.
-|-
-|3
-|Falcon
-|Electric
-|4+4 S/O Single Fairlie
-|RVM Engineering
-|
-|Constructed on site in 2020 for maintenance and quiet hauling service.
-|-
-|4
-|Speedy Fizzle
-|Diesel Hydraulic
-|4w-4w DH
-|RVM Engineering
-|2010-2011
-|[[File:Hastings Miniature Railway No4 Speedy Fizzle.jpg|150px]]
-|Constructed on site in memory of railways engineer Daryl Mark Valentine.
-|-
-|5
-|Uncle Jim
-|Diesel Hydraulic
-|4-4w DH
-|Jim Hughes
-|1968
-|
-|Constructed on site in 1968, the engine operated from 1968 to 1989 and was then sold to the Knebworth Park Miniature Railway in 1993. In 2012 the locomotive returned to Hastings and has re-entered service (fully overhauled) on its original railway.
-|-
-|6
-|Cornish Pixie
-|Diesel Hydraulic
-|2+4-2 DH S/O
-|RVM Engineering
-|2016
-|
-|Constructed on site in 2016 as a copy of Sir Haydn of the Tallylyn Railway.
-|-
-|7
-|Firefly
-|Steam
-|0-4-0 + tender
-|Jack Brown
-|1984
-|
-|Constructed on as one of a pair of Doubled up Sweet pea locomotives. The locomotive never saw service and was only showed. It arrived in Hastings in 2021 and hauled its first ever passenger train in august that year.
-|-
-|8
-|6100 Royal Scot
-|Steam
-|4-6-0 plus tender
-|1972
-|
-|
-|Constructed in 1972 and operated at Stapleford Miniature Railway for 9 years. It has since been in private ownership and seen little use. The locomotive was purchased and arrived at Hastings in June 2022
-|-
-|9
-|Hercules
-|Steam
-|0-4-0 + tender
-|RVM Engineering
-|Under construction
-|construction using the frames of a large Bagnall the locomotive one complete will be in the style of a Small England Class as used at the Ffestiniog railway.
-|-
-|10
-|The Barron of Hastings
-|Steam
-|4-6-2 + tender
-|Denver Light Railway Works
-|Under Rebuild
-|
-|Constructed as a narrow gauge 7.25” gauge American pacific but never completed. The locomotive was purchased in 2021 and is undergoing a regauge to 10.25” gauge
-|-
-|11
-|Trojan
-|Steam
-|0-4-0
-|Unknown build date or builder
-|Purchased in 2017 as a project little is known of the locomotive other than it was known as the Brightlingsea tank engine. The locomotive is currently undergoing a full rebuild and will be finished as 1340 Trojan (GWR saddle tank)
 ==References==

v t e Ridable miniature railways in England
Operating	Acton Works Audley End Railway Barking Park Light Railway Bekonscot Beer Heights Light Railway Bickington Steam Railway Blackpool Zoo Railway Blenheim Park Railway Bure Valley Railway Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway Coalyard Miniature Railway Conwy Valley Miniature Railway Downs Light Railway East Herts Miniature Railway Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway Echills Wood Railway Evesham Vale Light Railway Fairbourne Railway Fancott Miniature Railway Frimley Lodge Park Railway Great Cockcrow Railway Harlington Locomotive Society Hastings Miniature Railway Hollycombe Garden Railway Lakeside Miniature Railway Moors Valley Railway Mizens Railway North Bay Railway Paradise Park Railway, Cornwall Pleasure Beach Express Poole Park Railway Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway Royal Victoria Railway Ruislip Lido Railway Saltburn Miniature Railway Sherwood Forest Railway Stansted Park Light Railway South Downs Light Railway Stapleford Miniature Railway Strawberry Line Swanley New Barn Railway Thorne Memorial Park Miniature Railway Watford Miniature Railway Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
Closed	Dobwalls Adventure Park Markeaton Park Light Railway Paignton Zoo Plowman's Railroad Purbeck Miniature Railway Radwell Manor Railway Sand Hutton Miniature Railway Tucktonia Wells Harbour Railway