Blair Drummond Safari Park is on track to provide easier access to its attractions.
The park, which is home to more than 350 animals, has submitted a planning application to Stirling Council planners for the installation of a miniature train track including a diverted roadway, car park, crossing and station platform.
The plans also include the part infill of a pond and relocation of accessible parking.
In documents submitted with the applicant, agents for the park said: “As part of the upgrading of the park it is intended to make the car park free.
“The visitors who arrive with or without their own transport will be able to take the train to visit the majority of our animals and animal enclosures.
“The proposed trains are being recycled/upcycled, having been built by Severn-Lamb Ltd in the late 1980s for Thorpe Park, and are being fully reconditioned with new low-emission engines and fuel-efficient transmissions. The carriages will feature LED lighting. The rebuilding work will ensure they are compliant to current expectations and regulations.”
The engine being considered is known as ‘The General’. The agents say it was introduced into the Severn-Lamb stable of leisure passenger trains in response to client requests “to provide high profile, high capacity and attractive means of moving visitors within the park and leisure environments”.
They added: “The General is certainly an imposing locomotive and the largest train of the type available.
“It has a wealth of decorative features from the electrically operated swinging brass bell to the authentic chime whistle and functional headlamp.
“The complete train features five carriages, and includes a dedicated disabled access compartment and space for pushchairs and buggies.
“The train will run freely around the artificial pond with minimum barriers or fences. It is proposed to have an open track with the train running directly alongside the picnic areas, paths and vehicular tracks. The track has been laid so that no trees will be affected.”
The documents say making the park accessible to everyone is the key behind the project, improving access to leisure for the disabled, groups of children and the elderly as opposed to a long walk along the park.
For people who cannot make the long walk from the main car park, the existing secondary car parking at the back of the train station would be retained.
The train platform would also be located beside the main toilet block, with baby changing and disabled toilet facilities.
In terms of safety, they added: “The locomotive has a traditional whistle and bell, and this will be used on the approach to any level crossings and can be used at the driver’s discretion to give advance warning of the train’s presence. Accessibility information will also be available in a range of formats including large prints and audio to warn visitors of the train approaching the station platform will also be provided.”
