THE sound of miniature trains tooting as they make their way round the tracks has become a familiar one to Cutteslowe Park visitors.

Yesterday, the City of Oxford Society of Model Engineers, which runs the railway, celebrated a double milestone, welcoming its 500,000th passenger as well as marking 30 years since moving to the park.

The honour went to three-year-old Leo Wilkinson who rode at the front of one of the scaled down steam trains, a huge grin on his face.

He sat with his grandmother, Sue Wilkinson, who lives in Headington.

She said the youngster was ‘train mad’ and obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine, adding: “It was his first time here as my son and his family don’t live nearby but he’s been looking forward to it as an Easter treat.

“It’s his grandfather who is really interested in miniature and model trains though. The two of them have been partners in crime getting us here today.”

Not content with one trip round the track the youngster immediately hopped back on for another go.

Long-time club member John Winn said: “People love it. We have about 50 steam and 10 electric engines with several on the track at one time.

“Everything is completely to scale and many carry an impressive number of passengers.”

It is 13 years since six-year-old Kit Wickham-Jones became the 250,000th person to travel on the tracks.

The society, which can trace its roots back to 1946, was originally based at Blenheim Palace after being offered the spot by the 10th Duke of Marlborough, who became president.

Trains ran on summer weekends from 1960 to 1987, but the Blenheim estate wanted the society to run services seven days a week during the tourist season, which the volunteers could not commit themselves to.

Plans to rebuild the railway in Cutteslowe Park had already been drawn up, a lease was agreed with Oxford City Council, and the new track was officially opened at Easter 1988.

Generations have enjoyed the attraction, which is open twice a month during the summer.

Glenyis Lowes, 82, rode on Easter Sunday with her seven-year-old great-grandson Kyle. She said: “We always come and it is such fun. I’ve taken my grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.”

Club secretary David Price said the miniature railway is on track to reach its one millionth passenger, as the society has negotiated a 25-year lease on the Cutteslowe site.