Electric Railway Museum

Address: Rowley Road, Baginton, Warwickshire CV8 3AZ Location Type: Electric Traction Railway Museum
Postal Address: 9 Wontford Road, Purley, Surrey CR8 4BE Telephone: 02476 997397
Open Day: 10 / 11 September 2011 Admission: Free Parking: CV8 3AZ
Website: www.electricrailwaymuseum.co.uk YouTubevideo location map

Coventry Steam Railway Centre was started in 1986 by a group of enthusiasts who wanted to preserve No.1857 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T steam locomotive. Many other items of rolling stock were collected over the years. By the 1990s only a few of the original members were still active and since 2004 the Surburban Electric Railway Association (SERA) have leased the site.

SERA formed in 1996 with object of preserving all types of electric traction railway vehicles. They now have the largest collection of preserved electric multiple units in the country, based at Coventry. For information on the history of electric railways visit the SERA website.

There are now two organisations involved in the Coventry site, SERA owns most of the rolling stock with a new company called Electric Railway Museum (ERM) responsible for the development and management of the location. While there are many preserved railways which feature restored steam and diesel locomotives the ERM is the only centre specifically for electric railways.

At present the ERM is only open twice a year but there are plans to improve facilities for the public with extra open days. A half kilometre demonstration line with a third rail is a long term aim.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

Address: Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 2PR Location Type: Steam Railway Centre
Telephone: 01246 472450 Email: project_man@barrowhill.org.uk Line Length: ¾ mile Gauge: 4ft 8½ inches
Open Days: Saturday & Sunday Admission: by donation, Special Event Days: ticket prices as advertised Parking: Free S43 2PR
Website: www.barrowhill.org.uk YouTubevideo location map

Construction of the Barrow Hill Roundhouse was completed in 1870. Built for the Midland Railway it housed, repaired and supplied coal for steam locomotives. Despite the demise of steam on the rail network the Roundhouse continued to be used as an engine shed for diesel locomotives which transported coal from the mines in the area. BR decided that it no longer required the building, so in 1991 it closed.

Rail enthusiasts began the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society in 1989 to save the Roundhouse from demolition. After much lobbying the buildings were granted Grade II listed status in 1991. During the following few years the Roundhouse was empty it became extensively vandalised. The Chesterfield Borough Council purchased the railway site in December 1996.

For eighteen months the volunteers continued the onerous task of cleaning up, repairing the Roundhouse and raising the funds required to pay for the work. All the Society's efforts were rewarded when the engine shed opened to the public in July 1998.

With a connection to the main line this is the only original working Roundhouse in the country. Public access is available every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. To get the real atmosphere of a live railway environment it is best to visit on one of their special event or gala days. Train rides are usually available on these days, starting at the Roundhouse Halt going around the depot up the Springwell branch. Many iconic locomotives have visited the Roundhouse over the past years.

The turntable is utilized by main line tours who also use the Centre for maintenance. Many locomotives both steam and diesel are under repair or stored on the site.

Appleby and Frodingham Railway

Address: c/o Tourist Information Centre, The Buttercross, Market Place, Brigg, Lincolnshire DN20 8ER Location Type: Rail Tours of Tata Steelworks
Telephone: 01652 657053 Email: brigg.tic@northlincs.gov.uk Gauge: 4ft 8½ inches
Service: September 10, 17, 24 / Octber 8 / November 5 / December 17 / January 14 Tickets: Donation required
Website: www.afrps.co.uk

While there are a number of organsations that operate main line tours the Appleby and Frodingham Railway Preservation Society (AFRPS) runs tours around an industrial works railway. Tata Steel in Scunthorpe has ninety miles of track on one the largest manufacturing sites in Britain.

In the 1980s occasional tours were given using the works locomotives running over the steelworks railway. Later in 1990 a steam locomotive was hired, this proved to be so popular that it lead to the formation of the AFRPS. The Society's name is taken from the original steelworks which was called Appleby Frodingham Steel Company.

All trips begin at the Frodingham platform and operate over the sites internal railway. Three lengths of tour are available from 7 - 15 miles in length and taking between 1½ - 2½ hours. A stop is made at the Society's loco shed where other locomotives and restoration projects can be viewed.

Regular trips are given throughout the year. In the winter months passengers are conveyed in brake vans which can only accommodate adults. Booking is essential, you can phone, email or call into Brigg Tourist Information Centre. Take a ride on a unique preserved railway.

Steam locomotives at the AFRPS include Peckett 0-4-0ST built 1916 and No22 Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST built 1946.

Evesham Vale Light Railway

Address: Evesham Country Park, Twyford, Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 4TP Location Type: Miniature Railway
Telephone: 01386 422282 Email: enquiries@evlr.co.uk
Line Length: 1¼ miles Gauge: 15 inches

Route: Around Evesham Country Park Stations: Twyford - Evesham Vale
Journey Time: 15 minutes

Service: Saturday & Sunday - all year / October 24 - 28 / December 19 - 23, 27 - 31
Tickets: Adult £2.20, Child £1.60 return
Parking: Free Evesham Country Park WR11 4TP
Website: www.evlr.co.uk YouTubevideo location map

The Evesham Vale Light Railway was opened in August 2002 by the proprietors Jim and Helen Shacknell. Located in the Evesham Country Park where there are shops, a garden centre and an animal sanctuary.

A trip on the railway starts at Twyford station next to the car park. Trains travel past an old apple orchard, around a large loop and through a tunnel. A stop is made for a few minutes at Evesham Vale station where passengers can alight , have a picnic or return later. To complete the journey the train returns pass the orchard to Twyford station where the locomotive is put on the turntable.

Open at weekends all year the railway also runs every day during school holidays. All trains are usually hauled by steam locomotive with a service every 30 minutes.

Steam locomotives at the railway include No.32 'Count Louis' 4-4-2 built by Bassett Lowe in 1924 and used from 1925-1985 on the Fairbourne Railway, No.103 'John' 4-4-2 built by Albert Barnes & Co. in 1921 for the Rhyl Miniature Railway, No.312 'St. Egwin' 0-4-0 built by Exmoor Railway in 2003 and No.3 'Dougal' 0-6-2 built by Severn Lamb in 1970.

Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway

Address: The Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire GL54 5DT
Location Type: Narrow Gauge Railway Line
Email: information@toddington-narrow-gauge.co.uk
Line Length: ½ mile Gauge: 2ft Journey Time: 25 minutes
Service: No further open days in 2011 Tickets: Adult: £2.00, Child £1.00 return
Parking: Toddington Railway Station GL54 5DT
Website: www.toddington-narrow-gauge.co.uk YouTubevideo location map

The Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway (TNGR) can trace its origins back to 1962 when the Dowty Railway Preservation Society was formed This Society catered for railway enthusiasts who worked for the Dowty Group of engineering companies. Based in Ashchurch the Society were involved in standard gauge railway preservation. A forced move in 1982 saw a relocation to Toddington station on the opposite side of the car park to the Gloucester and Worcestershire Railway.

In 1985 the name of the organisation changed to the North Gloucestershire Railway with all standard gauge equipment being sold and everything changed to 2ft narrow gauge. Construction of a narrow gauge line began with rail acquired from the Southend Pier Railway.

A trip on the line starts at the station next to the car park with the train going to California crossing where there is a 10 minute stop to allow passengers to view the working signal box and the loco shed which houses locomotives and rolling stock from all over Europe. After the break the journey continues to Didbrook which is the end of the line, the locomotive runs round the loop and the return journey is made.

Now called the Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway there are two operational steam locomotives which were both built in Germany, they are Arnold Jung 'Justine' 0-4-0WT and No.1091 Henschel 0-8-0T. Diesel engines from Hunslet, Ruston & Hornsby, Lister and Motor Rail are also available.

The railway is open a limited number of Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holiday Mondays a year, with steam and diesel days.

Winchcombe Railway Museum

Address: 23 Gloucester Street, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire GL54 5LX Location Type: Railway Museum
Telephone: 01242 609305 Open Days: Closed until Easter 2012 Admission: charge applicable
Website: www.winchcomberailwaymuseum.co.uk location map

Tim Petchey first opened the museum in 1968. Specialising in items such as signalling equipment, line side fixtures, posters, lamps, tickets, maps and railway signs. There are indoor and outdoor displays with a pleasant half acre Victorian garden.

A family friendly environment encourages children to operate signals, ring bell, clip tickets or have a go on the play equipment in the garden. Open most days from Easter to early October, confirm opening times with their website.

Bishop's Castle Railway and Transport Museum

Address: School Lane, Bishop's Castle, Shropshire SY9 5BQ Location Type: Railway Museum
Telephone: 01938 560340 Open Days: Saturday & Sunday 14.00 -17.00, Easter - end of September Admission: free
Website: www.bcrailway.co.uk location map

Volunteers formed the Bishop's Castle Railway Society in 1989 to collect artefacts from the railway that once served the town. The present museum opened in 1999, there are displays of tickets, a scale model of Lydham Heath station, photographs, posters, notices, lamps, etc.

Although never a financial success the railway line to Bishop's Castle has an interesting history. Originally intended to link Craven Arms to Montgomery the money ran out by the time it reached Bishop's Castle with much shorter than intended line opening in 1865. Despite being in receivership for 69 years the Bishop's Castle Railway Company survived until 1935.

Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

Address: Irchester Country Park, Gypsy Lane, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN29 7DL Location Type: Narrow Gauge Railway Museum
Telephone: 01604 675368 Email: irchester@btinternet.com Line Length: 300 yards Gauge: 1 metre (3ft 3¼ inches)
Open Day: every Sunday 10.00 - 5.00 (10.00 - 4.00 winter) Admission: free Parking: pay and display NN29 7DL
Website: www.irchester.btinternet.co.uk location map

The area surrounding Wellingborough was rich in iron ore. A quarry opened in Irchester around 1872 to extract the iron ore with most it going to the local iron works. Ironstone continued to be mined up until closure of the quarries in 1969.

In 1971 the Northamptonshire County Council opened the Irchester Country Park which is located on the former opencast ironstone quarries. The park has a network of walks, visitors' centre, children's play area all set in an grass and woodland setting.

A museum was set up in 1987 on the site of the original ironstone railway at the country park. There are over 40 items of narrow gauge railway rolling stock including seven locomotives powered by steam and diesel engine. A 300 yard length of track is available laid to the 1 metre gauge as used by the original Wellingborough Iron Company. Locomotive demonstrations are given on the last Sunday of the month during the summer.

Golden Valley Light Railway

Address: Butterley Park Station, Swanwick Museum Site, Nr. Ripley, Derbyshire Location Type: Narrow Gauge Railway
Postal Address: GVLR, Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3QZ Telephone: 01773 747674
Line Length: 1 mile Gauge: 2ft Route: Butterley Park to Newlands Inn Tickets: Adult £2.00, Child £1.00
Parking: DE5 3QZ Butterley Station, standard gauge trains go to the railway or there is a footpath around 1 mile long
Service: closed until 2012
Website: www.gvlr.org.uk YouTubevideo location map

Formed on 28 May 1986 the Golden Valley Light Railway is located at the Midland Railway Centre. The narrow gauge railway was originally 400 yards long but this has been extended to almost one mile.

A trip on the railway starts at the museum centre going through the country park to Newlands Inn station which is close to the disused Cromford Canal. Trains are usually hauled by Motor Rail, Simplex or Bagueley Drewry diesels. There is one operational steam locomotive, 'Joan' 0-4-2 this is used for 'steam footplate experience days' and occasionally for passenger trains.

Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway

Address: Rowsley South Station, Harrison Way, Rowsley, Derbyshire, DE4 2LF Location Type: Narrow Gauge Railway
Line Length: 500 yards Gauge: 2ft Tickets: Adult £1.00, Child £0.50
Parking: Rowsley South Station DE4 2LF
Service: closed until 2012
Website: www.peakrail.co.uk/ddngr YouTubevideo location map

Henry Frampton-Jones and a group of volunteers started the Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway in 1998. After collecting a variety of industrial narrow gauge equipment the search began to find a location for a length of running line. A suitable site was found next to the standard gauge Peak Rail at Rowsley South Station.

First passengers were carried on the new line on 11 April 2004. Open on Sundays throughout the season trains operate top and tail (a locomotive at either end of the carriages). A journey on the railway consists of a round trip made from Parkside Station adjacent to Rowsley South Station.

Nine industrial diesel locomotives from Motor Rail, Ruston & Hornsby, Hunslet are at the railway.