Tributes to 'passionate' steam railway founder

Family members, friends and rail enthusiasts have said they will "deeply miss" the founder of a narrow gauge steam railway.

Jim Haylock, who founded Moors Valley Railway at Ashley Heath, near Ringwood in Dorset, passed away on Sunday aged 82, following a short illness.

In a website post, the beloved local attraction said that as a founding member of Britain's Great Little Railways, "Jim was also a source of inspiration and encouragement to miniature railway builders and enthusiasts across the country".

Business development manager Paul Ash, who was Haylock's friend of 35 years, said the railways was "his love" and that he "never really retired" but would continue taking visitors around.

Born in 1943 in Redhill, Surrey, Haylock grew up at a time when steam trains were still the main form of transport and developed a lifelong passion for them.

His dream for Moors Valley Railway was born in 1972 when he saw photographs of Tinkerbell, a narrow miniature steam locomotive class.

Haylock learnt a lot about running a railway at Tucktonia - a late 1970s theme park in Christchurch - and would use the experience to set up Moors Valley Railway, which first opened to the public on 26 July 1986.

"He built it from scratch, he built the locomotives, tracks, converted farm buildings with the aid of volunteers - it is his vision," Ash said.

He met Haylock when he had gone to see the railway as a young man.

"I came with a camera and he must have realised I was really interested, so he took me around to see everything and his enthusiasm is why I've been here for 35 years."

He said Haylock did not have children but the railway remained in the family as it was now run by his nephew.

It has a collection of 19 steam and two diesel locomotives operating the line, with trains running every weekend and daily during the summer months.

Ash said the railway's main ethos was that "it runs in the same way that it would have in the 50s and 60s".

"Jim poured his heart and passion into Moors Valley Railway, and his legacy will remain at the core of everything we do," the tribute further reads.

"He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."