Breathing New Life into a Seaside Icon

St Anne’s Express

Background

St Anne’s Express, a beloved miniature train attraction on the South Promenade in Lytham St Annes, has been delighting thousands of visitors annually since its inception in 1973. This diesel-powered miniature train, originally built by Severn Lamb, runs through the scenic dunes on the seafront, adding a special charm to the seaside experience.

The Challenge

After nearly five decades of operation, the St Anne’s Express was in need of significant refurbishment. The owners recognised the importance of maintaining this local treasure and sought expertise to restore the train to its former glory while incorporating modern improvements.

Solution: Partnering with Trax

The owners of St Anne’s Express approached Trax, a company with strong connections in the miniature railway world, to undertake this crucial restoration project. The refurbishment process unfolded in several stages:

Initial Wheel Refurbishment

 Trax began by refurbishing the wheels of both the train and carriages.

 The process involved building up the wheels through welding and then precisely turning them down on a lathe.

 This restored the wheels to their correct specifications and size, ensuring a fresh look and clean, unscathed finish.

Comprehensive Train Overhaul

The project expanded to a full refurbishment of the entire train (excluding carriages).

 Trax’s team meticulously stripped down the train, identifying key components such as the engine and radiator.

Recognising that the original 50-year-old components were obsolete, Trax sourced modern-day equivalents.

Modernisation and Adaptation

 The team worked on integrating the new components, which had slightly different dimensions from the originals.

Custom mounts were designed and fabricated to accommodate the new engine and other parts.

Cosmetic Restoration

The body and chassis were sent for sandblasting and repainting, restoring the train’s iconic appearance.

Final Assembly

While waiting for the painted components, Trax replicated all necessary hoses and sourced new lights.

Upon return of the body and chassis, the team meticulously reassembled the train with all new and refurbished parts.

Results

The restoration of St Anne’s Express has ensured that this beloved attraction will continue to bring joy to visitors for years to come. The project successfully:

Modernised critical components for improved reliability and performance
Restored the train’s classic aesthetic appeal
Preserved an important piece of Lytham St Annes’ cultural heritage

This case study demonstrates Trax’s expertise in miniature railway restoration, showcasing their ability to blend modern engineering solutions with the preservation of cherished historical attractions.

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To reach out to a member of our team, please give us a call at 01704 892411, or alternatively, send an email to our sales team at sales@trax-hydraulics.co.uk. We look forward to assisting you in any way we can. Visit our contact page to find us, sign up for our newsletter, or learn more about how to get in touch with us.

Location

Trax Hydraulics (North West) Ltd
Langley Road
Burscough
Ormskirk L40 8JR

Opening Times

Monday – Friday – 8am till 5pm
Saturday – 8am till 1pm
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

Get In Touch

+44 (0) 1704 892 411
sales@trax-hydraulics.co.uk

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