POOLE Park Railway has suspended its services after it derailed this afternoon nearly a year after its relaunch. 

The miniature train came off the tracks on Tuesday afternoon (October 24) on the same corner it crashed almost a year ago.

Pictures show the engine stuck in gravel at the side of the railway tracks and staff standing around it. 

The council say the train had hit a piece of debris which caused the front wheels to "jump" off the track.

Dee O’Neil, a hospital worker, came across the stricken train. She said: “I was on my lunch break and went for a walk around the park and saw the train had derailed. 

"It has come off the tracks completely and there were people in high visibility jackets stood around it scratching their heads. 

“It’s not going anywhere any time soon.” 

Bournemouth Echo: The train derailed last yearThe train derailed last year (Image: Charlie Rogers)

Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy, said:  “This derailment seems to have been caused by debris which appeared on the rails between trips and caused the front wheels of the engine to jump the track.

"The train was travelling at slow speed and no passengers reported any injuries.

“Following safety inspections and testing, the railway is due to reopen again before the end of today.”

This isn’t the first time the train in Poole Park has derailed. It came off the line just over a year ago in September 2022. 

BCP Council said debris was to blame previously. 

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

In 2019, planning permission was granted for the demolition and replacement of its engine shed while the 640m track also needed to be re-laid. 

Efforts to bring back the popular attraction were hindered when the council failed to secure a contingency engine as promised in December 2021.