COUNCIL officials are looking into the cause of the Poole Park Railway derailment over the weekend after stones were believed to have been placed on the track.

No injuries were reported after the miniature railway in Poole Park derailed while carrying 25 people on Saturday afternoon (September 10) as part of a trial service ahead of relaunching.

Meanwhile the council has said its official relaunch event, scheduled for Saturday September 17, has been postponed in response to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “This derailment was caused by debris on the track and we are looking into the cause of this. There were approximately 25 people on the train at the time. Nobody was hurt or injured and there was no damage to the locomotive or carriages.

Bournemouth Echo: Poole Park Railway train after derailmentPoole Park Railway train after derailment (Image: Charlie Rogers)

“The railway then ran successfully all day on Sunday with passengers, as part of its continued trial of the service. There were no problems at all and we will continue to trial the service this week.

“The official launch event has now been postponed, due to the period of national mourning, and a new date for this will be announced in due course.”

Queen’s Park ward councillor Mark Anderson said it was communicated to him someone had placed a number of stones between the main and check rail on the bend closest to the boating lake, causing the derailment.

He told the Echo: “From what I gather the train climbed up the stones when it went round the corner and, because the stones were too solid to be crushed, the train went straight over. Thankfully the driver slowed down anyway and it came to a stop immediately.

Bournemouth Echo: An old Poole Park Railway train. Picture: Dave PorterAn old Poole Park Railway train. Picture: Dave Porter

“It could be something as simple as a toddler putting them down or it could be vandals, we just don’t know.

“But there was around a six-minute window from the previous run finishing to the next carriage loading. So whether it was deliberate or accidental we don’t know yet.

“But we’re still testing the train and our officers handled the situation correctly.”

As previously reported, the railway was initially suspended in 2018 after a series of problems, including derailments and staff shortages.