A land train ferrying passengers along a picturesque part of Kent’s coastline would turn a town into a “premier tourist destination”, claim those behind the idea.

The proposal - to bring the first miniature engine and carriages to the county’s coast - has been debated at a meeting in Deal.

Land trains are a common sight in many coastal towns popular with tourists - with services in resorts such as Eastbourne, Bournemouth and Weymouth.

In Kent, Leeds Castle also has its own private attraction - where Elsie the Land Train can whisk ticket holders from the main entrance to the castle itself.

Keen to explore the potential for a land train between Deal and Walmer is Cllr Michael Walters - chairman of Deal Town Council’s transport and infrastructure committee.

Cllr Walters - who is a retired coach driver - admits to always being on the lookout for projects he thinks could further promote Deal, set it apart from neighbouring coastal towns or offer added value to both visitors and businesses alike.

“If you had a ride in the sunshine all the way along the seafront I think that would be wonderful,” he said.

“It would boost our tourism. It would make us look like a premier tourist destination.

“It would appeal to the general public I think.”

Cllr Walters believes it is not the first time a land train for Deal has been considered, with a commercial operator reportedly having explored the likelihood of a licence more than five years ago for a possible service between Deal Station and the seafront.

However the pandemic is understood to have put the brakes on that project - along with a lack of suitable storage for the train - and no plan ever came to fruition.

Cllr Walters says he envisages utilising Deal Pier as the land train’s main terminus with a small three-carriage service most likely using a mixture of the seafront, cycle paths and some public roads to take people along the front towards Walmer and Kingsdown and back.

The engine shed itself, he suggests, could be near to a section of Walmer Beach opposite the castle where diggers often stop during work to sea defences.

Cllr Walters even drafted in the expertise of Louise Sills - who previously worked with Eastbourne’s land train for Stagecoach where a single trip this year costs £3 an adult and £1.80 a child - and she too spoke at the transport committee meeting on May 14, according to its minutes, about her experience and likely costs involved.

However, despite finding a specialist company to conduct an initial survey and map possible routes - and which would even be able to source the council a secondhand train - Cllr Walters says Deal Town Council has not agreed to the initial fee, of roughly £1,200, to get that first stage report.

Transport and infrastructure committee clerk, Laura Marney, explained: “Following debate, members resolved that the project was a good idea but not financially viable and the committee would not be taking the proposal any further.”

It is a decision that has left Cllr Walters both disappointed and somewhat frustrated.

“I wanted to get these people down and do the initial exploring” he explained.

“I don’t think it would be unreasonable to do the exploration.”

Cllr Walters acknowledges any operation would likely run at an initial loss, while preferences for an electric train that is more environmentally friendly, rather than a cheaper diesel alternative - and the need for a secure engine shed - could also push up any price tag.

But without an official proposal or agreed route on paper, claims Cllr Walters, “other conversations cannot happen” around possible investors, external funding, sponsorship, advertising or the likely availability of additional grants that could all help get the project off the ground.

“It’s worth talking about. And I thought it was a great idea for the council to take up,” he added.