When I was a child we would go to Cornwall for our summer holiday. While we were there we always went to Dobwalls Adventure Park, a miniature railway themed fun park. It was brilliant.
Sadly, it closed forever in 2006, and there's little evidence that it ever existed.
When it closed, all the assets were sold and the site was levelled and redeveloped. I think it's some kind of holiday cottage area now. I'm sad about that, because it means the next generation of children will never get to experience it.
Fortunately my Dad took some photos, which I now present to you, the internet, for your consideration. This is by no means the fitting memorial it should be, but it's something. All of these pictures were taken between 1983 and 1987.
First, some locomotives. This was the General Palmer, and the Spirit of America. It's hard to tell the scale of these engines in this picture.This shot of the William Jeffers provides a better view of scale. They weren't tall, but some were very long engines.A number of engines waiting in a siding. Dobwalls was mainly themed after US railways, and there was a mix of real steam locomotives and diesel engines.A closer shot of a few of those engines. Note the turntable behind the front two.More engines waiting in a siding, including a Rio Grande locomotive. Note the engine shed and flatbeds on the left.People ride a train past the William Jeffers in a siding. The big hill in the background could be climbed for a better view.A wider shot of the same location, featuring the engine shed or 'Denver locomotive terminal'.An employee tops up a locomotive with water while passengers wait.Close up on the Queen of Nebraska carrying passengers.A Union Pacific diesel on the turntable.A rare photo of an aerial photo of Dobwalls on display at the site. Note the main forested area of the site surrounded by the main loops of track, as well as the loops to the rear and the engine sheds and utility buildings also to the rear.An engine carries passengers past a small lake.An engine carries passengers across a bridge over another line, with the Cornish countryside in the background.The Queen of Wyoming and her driver.Dobwalls also featured a number of indoor and outdoor model railways, such as this one in the forest.Dobwalls also featured a variety of children's play areas, such as this one.Passengers riding a train into the Hermosa tunnel.As part of the North American theme, Dobwalls also featured this fake native American village. For some reason.Passengers enjoying a ride around what looks like the main loop of the site.
I hope you enjoyed looking at these photos as much as I enjoyed curating them. After sorting through them I'm even more sad that this place no longer exists. There are other miniature railways around the UK, but I don't think I've been to one that quite compares to the scale and detail of Dobwalls.
