London Transport Museum

Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB Location Type: Transport Museum
Telephone: 0202 7379 6344 Email: searcy@ltmuseum.co.uk
Open Days: Every day Admission: Adult £8.00, Student £5.00, Children under 16 free, must be accompanied by an adult
Travel: Short distance to underground and buses
Website: www.ltmuseum.co.uk YouTubevideo location Map

Site Facilities: Refreshments, shop, picnic area

After a £22 million refurbishment the London Transport Museum reopened in 2007. Situated in Convent Garden the museum shows how London's public transport looked in the past and takes a glimpse into the future.

There are twenty vehicles on show including horse buses, trams, trolleybus, motor buses and underground steam locomotive. Many posters, signs, uniforms, photos, maps from years ago can be seen along with videos and multimedia displays. The visitor can even drive a tube train with the Jubilee Line simulator.

Science Museum

Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Location Type: Museum Telephone: 0870 870 4868
Open Days: every day except 24 - 26 December, 10.00am - 6.00pm
Travel: South Kensington underground station and buses
Website: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk YouTubevideo location map

Site Facilities: Refreshments, shop, book shop, picnic area

The Energy Hall in the museum shows how steam has been a major energy source for over 300 years. Full size engines, working models, animations all demonstrate the importance of steam power in the past and present.

Three steam locomotives are on static display they are Puffing Billy (1814), Rocket (1829) and Columbine (1845).

Kew Bridge Steam Museum Waterworks Railway

Address: Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0EN Location Type: Museum
Telephone: 020 8568 4757 Email: info@kbsm.org Line Length: 400 yards Gauge: 2ft
Open Days: Museum: Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays except Bank holidays), Railway: Sunday, Bank holiday Mondays, special event days from March 27 - October
Admission: Adult £9.50 (entitles you to as many visits as you wish throughout the year) Children £3.50 Parking: Limited parking on site
Website: www.kbsm.org YouTubevideo location map

Site Facilities: Bookshop, refreshments

The Grand Junction Waterworks Company opened the pumping station at Kew Bridge in 1838 to supply water to London. Housed in one of the buildings is the largest working Cornish Beam engine in the world, over 40ft high and weighing 250 tons, it was in use for 98 years, this amazing engine is steamed regularly. A number of Cornish Beam engines plus other steam pumps can be seen working on scheduled weekends throughout the year.

Steam was used up to 1943 after this electricity and diesel engines powered the pumps. The Metropolitan Water Board decided not to scrap the steam machinery at Kew Bridge but to keep it for a future museum. In 1973 the Kew Bridge Engines Trust was formed with the museum opening to the public in 1975. A gallery called 'Water for Life' at museum chronicles the history of London's water from Roman times to the present.

Many Victorian waterworks had narrow gauge railways to transport coal. The railway at Kew Bridge was influenced by a similar line run by the Metropolitan Water Board which went from Hampton to Kempton Park. This was used between 1916 and 1946 with three Kerr, Stewart 'Wren' class locomotives providing the motive power. Appropriately a replica 'Wren' class locomotive built in 2009 by the Museum and the Hunslet Engine Company called 'Thomas Wicksteed' 0-4-0ST is resident on the railway. Another engine 'Alister' a three cylinder Lister diesel from 1957 is also in regular use.

Further photographs of the Kew Bridge Steam Museum Waterworks Railway can be found in the Photo Gallery

Ruislip Lido Railway

Address: Reservoir Road, Ruislip, Middx HA4 7TY Location Type: Miniature Railway Line

Postal Address: Suite 123, 113 High Street, Ruislip, Middx HA4 8JN
Telephone: 01895 622595 Line Length: 1¼ miles Gauge: 12 inches
Route: Around Ruislip Lido Lake Stations: Ruislip Lido (Water's Edge) - Woody Bay Journey Time: 15 minutes
Service: Every Saturday & Sunday February 19 - November 20 / February 20 - 26 / April 10 -30 / May 30,31 / June 1-4 / July 24 - 30 / every day August / September 4 - 10 / October 23 - 29 / December 26 -31
Tickets: Adult £2.50, Child £2.00, Family £7.00 (2 adults and 2 children) return fare Parking: Ruislip Lido Car Park HA4 7TY
Website: www.ruisliplidorailway.org YouTubevideo location Map

Woody Bay Station: Refreshments, gifts, souvenirs, shop

The Ruislip Lido Railway dates back to 1945 when there was a short loop of track along one side of the Ruislip Lido lake. There were a range of attractions at Woody Bay including swimming, pedalos, water skiing, an artificial beach as well as the railway. A miniature steam engine called 'Prince Edward' provided the locomotive power. In 1959 'Prince Edward' left the RLR to be replaced by a petrol-electric locomotive which lasted until the mid-70s when another petrol locomotive called 'Robert' came to the railway. Unfortunately in 1978 an accident occurred on the railway which resulted in a number of people having to go to hospital. By this time the RLR had become run down and the decision was made to close it down.

A group of volunteers in 1979 formed the Ruislip Lido Railway Society to operate the railway. Improvements were made with a train service starting again in the summer 1980. Soon the line had been extended to a new station at Eleanor's Loop. A new powerful locomotive built at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway called 'Lady of the Lakes' came to the RLR. In later years the railway was extended further to Haste Hill and finally to the current destination at Ruislip Lido (Water's Edge) station. The former stations are no longer used but can be clearly seen when taking a trip.

The present RLR is based at Woody Bay where there is still an artificial beach, although swimming is no longer allowed. A café is run by the railway along with a shop and ticket office. A large engine shed allows all locomotives and rolling stock to be kept undercover protecting them from the weather.

There are four diesel locomotives 'Lady of the Lake', 'Graham Alexander', 'Bayhurst' and 'John Rennie'. In 1998 a steam engine 'Mad Bess' 2-4-0ST built by Winson Engineering and the RLR gave the railway their first steam locomotive since 'Prince Edward'. A half scale version of the Ffestiniog Railway loco 'Blanche', 'Mad Bess' is used on Bank holidays and special event days, check their website.

Further photographs of the Ruislip Lido Railway can be found in the Photo Gallery

Didcot Railway Centre

Address: Station Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 7NJ Location Type: Museum / Steam Centre
Telephone: 01235 817200
Email: info@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Line Length: ½ mile Gauges: 4ft 8½ inches / 7ft 0¼ inches
Open Days: Saturday & Sunday / February 19 - 27 / April 9 - 25 / May 31 - September 11 / October 22 - 30 / December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
Admission: Adult £5.00, Child £4.00, Family £16.00 (2 adults and 2 children) extra charge for steam days
Parking: Didcot Parkway Railway Station OX11 7HJ, pay and display
Website: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk YouTubevideo location Map

Site Facilities: Refreshments, museum, picnic tables, shop

Formed in 1961 the Great Western Society was set up to save a steam engine with its auto-coach. They were able to purchase tank engine No.1466 followed by No.6998 'Burton Agnes Hall' and another 4-6-0 locomotive No.7808 'Cookham Manor'. At this time the Society ran trains on the line from Cholsey to Wallingford.

In 1967 the Society moved its base to Didcot which since the demise of steam was no longer required by British Railways. This maintenance depot is on the junction of lines to London, Oxford and Swindon. A great deal of work by the Society members has transformed the area into the major working museum it is today. Numerous locomotives and carriages are being repaired or restored at one time, with many destined for other heritage railways.

There are three demonstration lines at the Didcot Railway Centre (DRC). The longest is called the main line which begins at Eynsham platform and travels the length of the site to terminate at a station named Oxford Road. Another, called the branch line starts at Didcot Halt and ends at the Transfer Shed. On certain days the broad gauge line is used by 'Firefly' a 2-2-2 locomotive built at the Centre in 2005. It is a replica of a broad gauge engine which originally ran on the GWR in 1840.

At Didcot you are taken back to the days of the Great Western Railway with an extensive collection of locomotives, coaches and goods wagons on display from the golden era of steam. A comprehensive range of facilities include: locomotive works, engine shed, two signal boxes, level crossing, turntable and museum. To get the real working railway atmosphere the DRC should be visited on a steam day.

For further photographs of the Didcot Railway Centre can be found in the Photo Gallery

Old Kiln Light Railway

Address: Rural Life Centre, Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DL Location Type: Museum / Narrow Gauge Railway
Telephone: 01252 795571 Email: digitalpics1933@aol.com Line Length: ½ mile Gauge: 2ft
Open Days: Museum only: Wednesday - Sunday & Bank holiday Mondays, Railway: Sundays / special event days March 12 - October / December 10, 11, 17, 18 Steam on these days April 23, 30 / May 7, 8, 30 / July 31 / September 3, 4, 11, 18, 24, 25 / December 10, 11, 17, 18
Admission: Adult £8.00, Child £6.00, extra charge for train rides Parking: on site GU10 2DL
Website: www.oldkilnlightrailway.com YouTubevideo location Map

Site Facilities: Refreshments, shop, picnic area, children's playground

This narrow gauge railway is situated at the Rural Life Centre in Farnham, Surrey. The Centre is a museum dedicated to farming, rural and village life from the 1800s to 1960s. On a ten acre area of fields, woodland and barns there are numerous displays of farming equipment, rural crafts and trades.

Formerly known as the Wey Valley Railway it began in the early 1970s based at a disused pumping station in Farnham. There was a variety of narrow gauge equipment all acquired from local industrial lines. In 1982 the Wey Valley site was acquired for redevelopment and the railway was moved to its present location at the Old Kiln Agricultural Museum. After relocation the railway changed name to the Old Kiln Light Railway (OKLR), later the museum was renamed the Rural Life Centre.

The railway takes takes a route around the grounds of the museum. There are three stations Reeds Road, Oakland and Mills Wood. Motive power is usually provided by one of the railways Hunslet diesels, many other industrial engines can also be seen. On special event days No.9998 'Elouise' 0-6-0 a steam locomotive built by Orenstein and Koppel in 1922 is used. The OKLR is self financing with income coming only from train fares and voluntary contributions. A little known railway with a great deal of character.

Amberley Narrow Gauge Railway

Address: Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, New Barn Road, Amberley, W.Sussex BN18 9LT
Location Type: Museum / Narrow Gauge Railway
Telephone: 01798 831370
Email: information@amberleynarrowgauge.co.uk
Line Length: 500 yards Gauge: 2ft
Open Days: February 19 - 25 / every day April 9 - October 30 - Railway operates every day, subject availability of volunteers, steam locomotive used on Sundays, Bank holidays, special event days
Admission: Adult £9.30, Child £5.80, Family £26.50 (2 adults and 3 children)
Parking: Free on site BN18 9LT
Website: www.amberleynarrowgauge.co.uk YouTubevideo
location Map

Site Facilities: Refreshments, shop, picnic area

Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre opened in May 1979, to begin with it was called the Chalk Pits Museum. Set in a former chalk quarry the 36 acre site is a working centre showing the industrial history of the South East. There are numerous of items to see including buses, fire engines, cars, bicycles, workman's tools, stationery engines and vintage radios. Demonstrations are given of many traditional crafts and trades such as pottery, printing, wheel making, engineering and wood turning.

Previous owners of the site were limeburners called Pepper & Son. At this time there was a standard gauge railway system that linked to the main line, in the 1960s it closed with all the track being sold for scrap. The new museum railway commenced operations on Easter 1980 with the aim of having a wide range of industrial locomotives. In 1981 the Brockham Museum in Dorking closed with all the stock of industrial engines and rolling stock being transferred to Amberley.

At the railway there are a variety of locomotives used on industrial railways throughout the UK and Europe, they vary in gauges from 1ft 10 inches to 3ft 2¼ inches. All types of power are represented including steam, diesel, petrol, battery and having been built for specialist requirements they often do not have a conventional engine appearance.

The Amberley Narrow Gauge Railway has been extended so there are now three stations Amberley, Brockham and Cragside. A train service should be available every day the museum is open but as it is manned by volunteers this cannot be guaranteed. Motive power is usually provided by one of the industrial diesels but a steam locomotive is used most Sundays, Bank holidays and special event days.

Two steam locomotives are in use they are Bagnall 'Peter' 0-4-0ST built 1917 and Bagnall 'Wendy' 0-4-0ST built 1919. The boiler certificate for another resident locomotive Bagnall 'Polar Bear' 2-4-0T built in 1905 ran out last year and the museum is hoping to raise the funds required for a major overhaul.

Further photographs of the Amberley Museum can be found in the Photo Gallery

Great Bush Railway

Address: Tinkers Park, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4HS
Location Type: Narrow Gauge Railway Line
Email: info@tinkerspark.com Line Length: ¼ mile Gauge: 2ft
Open Day: 23 October 2011
Admission: Adult £4.00, Child £1.00 Parking: on site BH11 2HL
Website: www.tinkerspark.com YouTubevideo location map

Site Facilities: Refreshments, miniature railway, steam traction engine rides, organ museum, picnic tables

Claude Jessop brought a steam traction engine in 1942 to work on his farm at Tinkers Park. Over the years he purchased many more steam engines as well as fairground organs and farming equipment.

The first railway at Tinkers Park was a miniature steam ride on model which ran on a route around the garden. After more than fifty years the original steam locomotive called 'Claude' has been restored and operates on the miniature railway line on open days.

In the 1960s a narrow gauge locomotive and some trucks were acquired from a brickworks in Berwick and Crowborough. A passenger service began in 1967 and so the Great Bush Railway was formed.

This private railway opens to the public three times a year. Volunteers have extended the track to over a quarter mile in length with a station apply named Hadlow Down. Built in true narrow gauge style the line has steep gradients up to 1 in 27 and sharp curves.

One steam locomotives is based at the railway this is No.11784 Orenstein and Koppel 'Sao Domingos' 0-6-WT built in 1928, there are also industrial locomotives from Motor Rail and Ruston.

Further photographs of the Great Bush Railway can be found in the Photo Gallery.

South Downs Light Railway

Address: Stopham Road Station, Pulborough Garden Centre, Stopham Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1DS Location Type: Miniature Railway Line Telephone: 07518 753784
Line Length: 1500 yards circular Gauge: 10¼ inches
Route: Around Pulborough Garden Centre Station: Stopham Road Journey Time: 10 minutes
Service: Saturday & Sunday March 5 - September 25 / April 13, 20, 22, Not 24 ,25 / May 1 / June 1 / July 27 / August - Wednesdays / December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 22 Tickets: Adult £1.50, Child £1.00 Parking: Pulborough Garden Centre RH20 1DS
Website: www.sdlrs.com YouTubevideo location map

Stopham Road Station: Waiting room, ticket office, souvenirs, gifts, picnic tables

In 1999 the South Downs Light Railway Society was started by a group of enthusiasts who met regularly to talk and work on model railway projects. Two members of the Society heard that the Riverview Miniature Railway in Pulborough was about to close. Keen to have their own railway line negotiations began with the garden centre who owned the land, this resulted in the Society taking over the railway in March 2000.

The major task of altering all the track from the original 7¼ inch to 10¼ inch gauge commenced immediately. Just eight weeks after taking possession trains were running again, albeit over a small length of track. At the same time the station, signal box and engine shed were all renovated.

Improvements carried out later include a completely new station at Stopham Road and a revised signalling system. An extension to the track involved making a cutting 14 foot deep and the laying of heavier weight rails to cope with the railways larger locomotives.

South Downs Light Railway has two steam locomotives that provide the majority of the motive power, they are 'Peggy' and 'Pulborough', these are modern 0-4-2 engines built by the Exmoor Steam Railway. Society members own miniature scale locomotives are also used at certain times.

Volk's Electric Railway

Address: 285 Madeira Drive, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1EN Location Type: Electric Railway Line
Telephone: 01273 292718 Line Length: 1¼ miles Gauge: 2ft 8½ inches

Route: Brighton Seafront Stations: Aquarium - Halfway - Black Rock Journey Time: 10 minutes
Service: April 22 - September 30 Tickets: Adult £3.00, Child £1.50, Family £6.70 (2 adults and 4 children) return fare
Website: www.volkselectricrailway.co.uk YouTubevideo location map

Magnus Volk was the man behind the first electric railway in Great Britain, called Volk's Electric Railway (VER) it opened on 4 August 1883. The line went along the seafront at Brighton from the Aquarium to the Chain Pier, a distance of ¼ mile.

Magnus applied to extend the VER to the west but this did not meet with approval. After this refusal he sought permission to go in the other direction. The Council gave consent to lengthen the line to Banjo Groyne. At this time the gauge was changed from 2ft to 2ft 8½inches, the new line opened on 4 April 1884. A further extension to Black Rock opened in September 1901. As the increased line length required extra power the electricity now came from the mains supply, instead of them generating their own. There continued to be a summer and winter service. No major changes were made at the VER apart from Brighton Corporation taking over the railway in 1938. After 1 April 1940 they closed the line for the duration of the war.

The Corporation completely re-laid the track in 1948 and a new station was built at Black Rock. Passenger services recommenced on 15 May 1948, with an all year timetable. In 1954 the winter service ended, never to return. 1983 was the Centenary of the railway. Celebrations included a special train driven by Conrad Volk, the youngest son of Magnus.

Now after more than 125 years the VER is the oldest operating electric railway in the world. During the holiday trains run every 15 minutes. This charming Victorian period railway is virtually unchanged since the 1900s. Step back in time and travel in an open or enclosed car along the Brighton seafront. Make sure you read on the official website about Magnus Volk's other railway in Brighton, the short lived, but innovative line nicknamed 'Daddy Longlegs'.

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