VOLUNTEERS and well-wishers have welcomed the official opening of Swindon’s newest railway station with bunting, a buffet and some good old fashioned patriotic flag waving.

Richard Jefferies Halt is the newest stop along the Coate Water Railway and the associated loop extension more than doubles the length of the route, making it one of the biggest miniature railways in the country.

It brings to a close over four years of hard work and lengthy commitment from the team of volunteers behind the project and offers a new and lasting connection with the nearby Richard Jefferies Museum.

The station was officially opened by South Swindon MP, Robert Buckland, who cut the ceremonial ribbon after taking a VIP train ride from Coate Water.

He said: “It was a serious job to do because really there was nothing here before. It’s a significant extension of the miniature railway which I’ve used many times in the past with my own kids.

“For me it was particularly pleasurable to be here today to open the new halt and to celebrate the fact that this is probably now one of the biggest miniature railways in the country.

“Not only that, but it's also the bringing together with the Richard Jefferies Museum – it’s the idea of partnership, being able to step off the train and walk straight in there to find out about an author who has national significance.”

The museum team have also been working hard at their end to prepare the area around the new station – after much gardening and landscaping it is now home to a charming outdoor picnic area for visitors to enjoy.

Indeed, following the arrival of the ceremonial train, guests, VIP and passing members of the public tested out the tables as they tucked into a delightful buffet provided for the event.

Museum Director Mike Pringle said: “This is really the coming together of two different things – we set up a charitable trust to take over the museum a couple of years ago and have slowly been clearing away the weeds and cleaning the place up.

“Meanwhile, the miniature railway at Coate wanted to extend their track and it seemed like an obvious solution to put a station in here.

“We’re a little cut off being on the edge of a dual carriageway and really the hope is this will connect us that bit more and introduce us to many more people.”

Although planning permission was first granted for the extension to the track in 2012, the volunteer run nature of both the museum and the railway meant that the work has been spread over a number of years since then.

“It is unbelievably exciting to be here now, this has been a labour of love for everybody involved for quite some time,” said Mike.

Kenneth Parker, Chairman of the Coate Water Railway, added: "The loop extension and station sees four years of hard work and planning come to fruition.

“This is a very proud day for the CWR."