Grand reopening of Basildon Miniature Railway sees touching station tribute
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.
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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.
'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) 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.
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.
'The railway is buzzing every day with families bringing their children to enjoy Wat Tyler Park.
Read more
Volunteer behind Basildon miniature railway restoration issues heartfelt thank you
Watch: Basildon's reopened miniature railway welcomes first passengers
Appeal for volunteers ahead of Basildon Miniature Railway's imminent reopening
'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.
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