Railways

Over 150 heritage railways in the UK for a great family Railday out!

  • All
  • Funicular / Cliff Railway
  • Standard Gauge Railway
  • Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
  • Heritage Centre (all one site)
  • Miniature Railway (<15")
  • Heritage Tramway
  • Museum
  • Other
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

Nr Ulverston, Cumbria,

Jump aboard our train at Haverthwaite Station. Enjoy views from your carriage up to Lakeside; the southern tip of Lake Windermere. Then if you fancy, continue your journey aboard a Windermere Steamer to Bowness or Ambleside. The Station welcomes dogs and friendly owners!

Location
Haverthwaite Station, Nr Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AL, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
015395 31594
Lakeside Miniature Railway

Lakeside Miniature Railway

Southport, Merseyside,

This track was built by Mr GV Llewelyn in 1911 and was originally named ‘Llewelyn’s Miniature Railway’. The first steam train ‘King George V’ ran 17th May 1911 at 3pm. The track was sold to Harry Barlow in 1945 when it was renamed ‘Lakeside Miniature Railway’ and the first petrol-driven trains had started running. It is the oldest continuously running 15-inch gauge railway in the world and was sold to John Spencer in 1968, then to Don Clark and Graham Leeming in 2001. It was purchased in 2016 by Norman Wallis, who has now begun to refurbish and improve the track and surroundings, and hopes to create a heritage museum and improved facilities for everyone. The railway will run every day that the main park is open and runs all day 10am – 6pm. You can book and pay for your tickets from the driver on the platform at either end of the line.

Location
Marine Drive, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1RX, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
01704 531 957
Langford and Beeleigh Miniature Railway at Museum of Power

Langford and Beeleigh Miniature Railway at Museum of Power

Maldon, Essex,

The main station, 'Langford', is on the far (south) side of the Museum site and is where passengers normally start and finish their ride. Our 'Langford' station is less than half a mile from the position of the original Langford and Ulting Halt which was situated on the old Great Eastern Railway Maldon to Witham Branch Line, axed in the 1960s.

Location
Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
01621 843 183
Lappa Valley Railway

Lappa Valley Railway

near Newquay, Cornwall,

Children will delight in the thrill of trains and boats, explore nature, let off steam in our outdoor spaces before refuelling in comfort at the fantastic café.

Location
Benny Halt, St Newlyn East, near Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5LX, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01872 510 317
Lartigue Monorail

Lartigue Monorail

Listowel, County Kerry,

The original steam-powered monorail (designed by Frenchman Charles Lartigue) ran for nine miles between Listowel and the seaside resort of Ballybunion. Operating from 1888 to 1924, it carried passengers, livestock and freight along a rail supported on A-shaped trestles. It occupies a special place in railway history as the only monorail of its type to operate successfully on a commercial basis. During its lifetime, the original Lartigue Monorail was an object of much interest, curiosity and amusement. Nowadays, your visit includes a short demonstration journey on a full-scale diesel-powered replica of the original monorail. During the journey you will experience the unique features of the monorail and will observe its ingenious switching system. Before or after your journey, you can visit the Lartigue Museum to watch film of the original Lartigue and see models, displays and memorabilia of the Lartigue and main-line railways. The friendly staff, consisting mainly of volunteers, will be on hand to provide information and answer your questions.

Location
John B Keane Road, Listowel, County Kerry, V31 HX00, IE
Distance
Railway Type
Other
Phone
06824393
Lathalmond Railway Museum

Lathalmond Railway Museum

Dunfermline,

Lathalmond Railway Museum is located to the north of Dunfermline, on a shared site with the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. With 2 operational railway lines operating frequently. Shed47 Railway Restoration Group started the project in 1997, housed in the original WWII Royal Navy loco shed. Over the past 25 years, we have been rebuilding a small section of the once vast railway system in the former RNSD Lathalmond site. Visit and find out all about Dunfermline & West Fife's rich railway heritage. We're open every Sunday from April to October,

Location
SVBM, M90 Commerce Park, Lathalmond, Dunfermline, KY12 OSJ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
07775 121 156
Launceston Steam Railway

Launceston Steam Railway

Launceston, Cornwall,

We run narrow gauge (1 11½" gauge) steam trains and passengers have a choice of open or closed carriages – whichever you choose you are assured of a marvellous view! A seat in the front of the train is as good as being on the footplate. All our trains are steam hauled by one of our three Victorian steam locomotives. Our youngest locomotive, 115 year old ‘Dorothea‘, has recently undergone a 20 year restoration from scrap condition in our fully equipped workshops here at Launceston. Break your journey at Newmills to enjoy a riverside picnic, explore the footpaths or visit the neighbouring Farm Park. Back at Launceston enjoy a bite to eat in the Railway Café, browse our well-stocked Gift and Book Shop, and view the many exhibits in our free Transport and Engineering Museum. Launceston Town Centre, Castle and Museum are a short walk uphill from our station and well worth visiting too!

Location
St Thomas Road, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 8DA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01566 775 665
Lavender Line

Lavender Line

Near Uckfield, East Sussex,

There are a number of special events for all age groups from Easter bunny hunt specials to the mighty Gala weekends where we aim to have an event fit for everyone. Although we advertise our main events at the start of the calendar year, we do add extra events throughout the year, which will be placed in our special events page and Facebook page as and when they are confirmed.

Location
Isfield Station, Isfield, Near Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5XB, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01825 750 515
Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway

Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway

Leadhills, South Lanarkshire,

The railway is Britain's highest adhesion railway (i.e. driven by the friction of its wheels on the track), reaching a maximum height of 1,498 feet above sea level. It operates on Sundays through the summer half of the year and makes for a highly unexpected and thoroughly recommended part of any day out in the beautiful and remote upland villages of Leadhills and Wanlockhead. The railway operates from Leadhills Station, which is reached up a minor road that climbs above the south end of the village of Leadhills. Visitors can view the exhibition in the small station, see the engines in the nearby engine shed, or take a look at the signal box. Or, of course, you can take a train ride. Trains depart fairly regularly when the railway is operating and travel from Leadhills for the three quarters of a mile steady climb to Glengonnar Halt. After a short stop there the train then returns to Leadhills Station.

Location
The Station, Station Road, Leadhills, South Lanarkshire, ML12 6XS, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Leek & Rudyard Railway

Leek & Rudyard Railway

Leek, Staffordshire,

Located at Rudyard Station in the North Staffordshire Peak District, we offer a great family day out alongside Rudyard Lake. The railway is located just outside Leek and is not far from Alton Towers and the borders of Cheshire and Derbyshire. Our railway is 10.25 inch gauge which is equivalent to half size Narrow Gauge. The trains run whatever the weather and all are covered coaches. Since 2016 the railway has incorporated the locomotives and rolling stock of the former Isle of Mull Railway, including engines Frances, Victoria and Glen Auldyn into the fleet.

Location
Rudyard Station, Rudyard Road, Rudyard, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8PF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
01538 269 948
Leighton Buzzard Railway

Leighton Buzzard Railway

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire,

The Leighton Buzzard Railway is one of the last survivors of the hundreds of 2 foot (610mm) gauge light railways built in Britain for industrial use. It is believed to be the only remaining line which owed its existence to the ready availability of surplus materials and equipment from the First World War battlefield supply lines.

Location
Page's Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 4TG, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01525 373 888
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway

Skegness, Lincolnshire,

On our summer operating days you can ride in one of our historic railway carriages, pulled by either one of our historic diesel locomotives, or on steam days (see dates opposite) by our Peckett steam locomotive "Jurassic". The diesel locos are based on designs for WW1 trench railways, which later powered transport for agriculture and industry throughout Lincolnshire and the wider world. Our steam locomotive "Jurassic" was built in 1903 and spent her working life at a cement works in Southam, near Rugby. Following restoration at the LCLR she returned to steam in mid 2017. Our collection of historic WW1 trench railway vehicles are demonstrated on gala days, and can normally be viewed on operating days.

Location
Skegness Water Leisure Park, Walls Lane, Ingoldmells, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 1JF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Lincolnshire Wolds Railway

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway

Ludborough, Lincolnshire,

Ride on the train, visit the museum, enjoy some great food in the Steaming Kettle Buffet and find out more about the locos from our experts in the engine shed. Our heritage steam trains run between Ludborough and North Thoresby and work is now in progress to extend the line southwards towards Louth. What visitors to the railway see today is a result of all the time and effort that a small, but dedicated band of volunteers have put in over many years. We are the only standard gauge heritage steam railway in Lincolnshire. It is very important to us to keep our heritage line running and keeping steam alive, we are living history with a purpose to recreate and preserve railway scenes of the past. We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly railway.

Location
Ludborough Station, Ludborough, Lincolnshire, DN36 5SQ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01507 363881
Littlehampton Miniature Railway

Littlehampton Miniature Railway

Littlehampton,

Littlehampton Miniature Railway is the oldest 12 ¼ inch gauge railway in Britain and one of ‘Britain’s Great Little Railways’. The Littlehampton Miniature Railway runs from Mewsbrook Park, through a wood and along the seafront to Norfolk Gardens. The railway is staffed and run entirely by volunteers, who are all members of the Littlehampton Heritage Railway Association (LHRA). The railway has undergone many changes since its opening in 1948, but our intention is to ensure the railway once again becomes a credit to the town, and is seen as an essential part of a day out to Sussex by the Sea. Trains run on most weekdays during school holidays, and at weekends and Bank Holidays from April to October. We also run Santa Special trains in December. Check the website and Facebook for full details.

Location
The Engine Shed, Hendon Avenue, Mewsbrook Park, Littlehampton, BN16 2LX, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
01903 719876
Llanberis Lake Railway

Llanberis Lake Railway

Llanberis, Gwynedd,

Our little steam engines take you on a five-mile return journey alongside Lake Padarn, right in the heart of Snowdonia. The journey takes you past the 13th century Dolbadarn Castle, across possibly Britain's shortest river and past Llanberis' twin lakes. From Llanberis the train runs non-stop through the Padarn Country Park, joining the 1845 slate railway route to run along the shores of Lake Padarn to Penllyn, and giving stunning views of Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales. There's a short stop at Cei Llydan, a beautifully tranquil place that's ideal for a lakeside picnic, and at Gilfach Ddu, where you can visit the National Slate Museum, watch the driver stoking the fire, the engine taking water, or spend some time in our gift shop and cafe. The five mile return trip takes around 60 minutes, and all advertised trains are scheduled to be hauled by one of our vintage steam engines rescued from the nearby Dinorwic slate quarries and lovingly restored. All our trains have wheelchair accommodation, but spaces are limited, so please let us know you are coming. Toilets, including disabled access, are situated nearby in the Country Park.

Location
Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01286 870549
Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway

Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway

Llanelli, Carmarthenshire,

The route of the original railway is recognised as Britain's first operating public railway authorised by the Act of Parliament in 1802 and which began traffic in May 1803 as the Carmarthenshire Tramroad. The railway opens on selected days throughout the year and offers standard gauge train rides over half a mile of running line (to be extended gradually as funds allow). The railway currently owns a variety of rolling stock including diesel locomotives and diesel multiple units. Other organisations such as the Cab Yard, the London Transport Traction Group and the Class 315 Preservation Society are also present at the railway and are playing an active part in the railways future plans, with their assets being incorporated into future attractions. The project is developing an on-site cafe using the shell of a former Class 153 DMU and is also looking to utilise the natural beauty of the area, including development of the woodland area for nature related activities.

Location
Site of the former Cynheidre Colliery, Cynheidre, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 5DQ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Llangollen Railway

Llangollen Railway

Llangollen, Denbighshire,

Llangollen Railway is a Heritage Railway Line starting at Llangollen Station, located beside the Dee River Bridge, in Llangollen Town, the journey continues for 10 miles upstream, following the River Dee to the town of Corwen. The Dee is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its entire length. The line, located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), remains close to the waters of the river for most of its length, on the north bank at Llangollen Station, the river is crossed on to the south bank via the Dee Bridge, approximately one mile upstream from Llangollen. Llangollen Railway was started in 1975 by a group of enthusiasts who saw the potential for a scenic heritage line through the Dee Valley. Their original vision grew into what you can see today. 10 miles of track have been re-laid westwards along the track-bed of the old Ruabon to Barmouth main line, through to Corwen.

Location
The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8SN, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01978 860 979
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon

Shildon, County Durham,

Locomotion is open 10.30–16.00, seven days a week from Wednesday 14 July until Sunday 5 September 2021. To ensure you have the space you need to explore the museum safely and confidently, all visitors are now required to book free admission tickets in advance. Tickets are currently released two weeks in advance.

Location
Locomotion, Dale Road Industrial Estate, Shildon, County Durham, DL4 2RE, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
033 0058 0058
London Museum of Water & Steam

London Museum of Water & Steam

London,

Many large waterworks had a railway on site to move the large quantities of coal required to feed the ever-hungry boilers. Usually the railways were connected to the commercial main line. At Kew Bridge, an underground railway was used to move coal from the company’s riverside wharf to the boiler houses. The coal carts were hauled using a waterwheel powered by waste water supplied by the pumping engines. The underground tunnel is still there, but is closed to visitors. The present railway at the Museum is not original, but represents the important role that railways played on large waterworks sites. The Museum has two working locomotives: “Wren†class locomotive Thomas Wicksteed, which is typical of a waterworks engine, and Alister, a 3 cylinder Lister diesel locomotive of 1957.

Location
Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, London, TW8 0EN, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
020 8568 4757
London Transport Museum

London Transport Museum

London,

Discover the powerful link between transport and the growth of London since 1800 at the world's leading museum of urban transport online, in our Museum and at our Depot (separate site in West London) - an award-winning day out.

Location
Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
0343 222 5000