About Us

Hello, my name is Mike Bass. I am the owner of the Strawberry Line Miniature Railway at Keynsham. Just so you know why it is "The Strawberry Line" ,well, where the railway is situated was for many years a "pick your own" fruit farm and the main fruit was ................

Anyway back to the railway. I have been involved with trains for the last 40 odd years, from the Tri-ang 00 in 1962 to becoming a railway guard in 1977, then to the highlight of my career becoming a driver in 1989. I then retired in 2001 due to ill health.

The main objective when starting this project was to recreate the railways of the 1960’s. We are slowly achieving this aim with both freight and passenger trains. We run on a double track main line and are currently installing a signalling system which incorporates both semaphore and multiple aspect signalling. The railway also features a tunnel, carriage sheds, a motive power depot, turntable and in the future will have a hump yard.

When we complete the signalling system in 2006 we will run with the same format as the full size railway. Our next major project will be to start the expansion of the layout to at least twice it's present size.

Running this railway is a varied experience. One day you can be tamping and lining the track and the next building wagons; not forgetting grass cutting, battery charging, window cleaning, tractor driving and generally keeping the railway running safely. But none of this would be possible without the help of my team of volunteers to whom I am eternally grateful.

Look out for the Guardians of the railway - "Rail", "Track" & "Fiasco".