MINIATURE railway services in Bournemouth and Poole have not had a good track record in recent times.

And now, nearly four months after the land train service at Hengistbury Head was suspended, it is still not known when it will resume.

The attraction has been out of action since October 29 due to an incident involving a cyclist, a woman in her 60s.

She was injured after two carriages broke loose from the land train and collided with her.

Dorset Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, along with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Meanwhile, Bournemouth council has been looking into the option of running an interim service.

However, land train staff have been left frustrated as they still do not know when they will be able to return to their jobs.

One employee, who did not wish to be named, said he had asked the council for an update at the beginning of February but had not yet received a reply.

“It’s very inconvenient for people visiting Hengistbury Head not to be able to use the land train,” he told the Daily Echo.

“I’m retired and have worked two or three days a week for the land train for three-and-a-half years. There’s around 14 of us in total, including two supervisors.

“I emailed the council for an update on February 2 but have not had any response yet. It’s frustrating.

“People at the Hungry Hiker café have been asking about the land train. It’s coming up to half term week, and I don’t know if it will be running by then. We don’t know if the current train will be condemned or if they’ll need a new train. I know the insurance company has inspected the trains. But there has been a delay in the HSE inspection, apparently.

“It’s less about the money and more about the enjoyment of working on the train and helping people," he added.

Ed Alexander, contract manager for the Bournemouth Parks department, said: "Following the incident last October and the ongoing police investigation, we have been unable to use the Hengistbury Head land trains. "Currently we are unable to give any indication on when the service will resume, while we are still working with the police, as their investigation is yet to be concluded. "We have been looking at possible alternative options to run an interim service, however there are a number of technical matters that still have to be clarified before we can progress. Whilst we understand there may be frustration that the train is not running, we have to make sure safety remains the priority with any service we operate.”

The land train runs from the Hungry Hiker café to Mudeford Sandbank all year round. Last year, the attraction – known as the Noddy Train – celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition held to mark the occasion.

In October, the troubled Poole Park Miniature Railway, which suffered derailments and a mass walkout of staff and volunteers last year, was taken under the control of the council.

It is hoped the attraction, which has not operated for around nine months, will be up-and-running again by the summer.