Abbey Line fun day to mark 160th anniversary

On May 31, parents and youngsters gathered at St Albans Abbey station for a fun-filled Community Rail Fun Day.

Organised by the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership, the event is designed to support and promote the rail line between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction. This was the second time the event has run. 

Guests enjoyed pace painting, stilt walking and balloon modelling, and “animal ambassadors” from Teaching Talons brought along some fury friends to pet while others took a ride on a steam strain provided by the North London Society of Engineers. 

Music at the event was provided by Chasing Deer and a special Fun Day Abbey Trail ran by Countryside Management took place starting from Park Street Station. 

The occasion, which also coincided with Abbey Line’s 160th anniversary, saw St Albans Fire Service “Red Watch” truck in attendance, while Tonino’s ice cream and WI Belles provided some tasty treats.

Bricket Wood Cricket Society brought along some historic photos dating back to 1858 and St Albans South signal box were on hand with demonstrations and artefacts. 

Partnership development officer, Edna Woname, said: “The aim was for our community to come and meet us and learn more about the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership and how its making a difference on the Abbey Line, as well raise the awareness of the line itself. 

“I am particularly grateful for the support we received from local organisations AECOM who volunteered at the event, St Johns Ambulance service and British Transport Police. This was a great event with hundreds of people enjoying the day. I am already planning what we can do next year.”

The Partnership’s chairman, Cllr Derrick Ashley and Samanthan Raymant of London NorthWestern Railway thanked everyone for coming also said work would continue to improve the service. 

The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership was formed in 2005 with the purpose of increasing usage of the line.