BBCA land train service has reached the end of the line before it moves to a new home.
Newquay Land Train’s last day of operation is on Friday before it heads to north Wales under new ownership after no local buyers came forward.
Father and son duo Mark and Harrison Haddrell, who have run the train since June 2018, said the final day in Newquay would be used to raise funds for the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal.
Mark Haddrell, whose retirement prompted the sale, said the outpouring of support towards the train had been “amazing”.
He said: “We’ve had it advertised for probably two years now and unfortunately the only people that came up with an offer were the company that’s taken over up in Wales.
“People have been fantastic sending us great wishes for the future but sad that the train is leaving.
“It’s overwhelming to see the support we’ve had, there’s so many families, children waving and I’d just like to thank everybody for coming.”
It is thought there has been a land train in Newquay for more than 20 years.
Mr Haddrell said there were “always second thoughts in life” after seeing the support for the attraction, but he was going to stick to his decision to retire.
“Maybe a phoenix from the grave, you never know what might come along with other people if they’re interested in taking another train or bringing another train into town,” he added.
Mr Haddrell said his lasting memory of running the train was the joy it brought local children.
“To see them on board and to see their their faces when they see the train coming, it’s amazing, and that’ll always stick with me to see how wonderful the reaction is to that,” he said.
