SINCE its introduction more than half a century ago, the Hengistbury Head land train has become a local institution.
The council had decided to ban private cars from the head but needed an alternative form of transport, especially for people carrying luggage a mile or so to the beach huts on the sandspit.
The idea would help combat erosion, which was being recognised as a serious problem at Hengistbury Head.
On April 1, 1968, the first ‘Noddy’ train ran between Double Dykes car park and Mudeford Sandbanks.
The trains have delighted families for generations, pulled by the three engines Dunlin (green), Mallard (orange) and Shelduck (blue).
Joyce Faris operated the service until her retirement in 2015, at which point the council took up the duty.
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