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Northern England
East Lancashire Railway
The East Lancashire Railway has always been a vital part of the areas landscape and has helped shape the destiny of the towns along its route through the transportation of goods and people. The railway provided industries with a vital link to the country's network of import, export, raw materials and probably most important of all, workers. Even in those utilitarian times however, the East Lancashire Railway provided a leisure time service for holidaying workers. Developing technology in turn developed the railway, however it was also the introduction of newer, more cost effective technologies that led to the decline of the Railway as the main method of transportation.
The influx of cars, trucks and buses on Britains roads soon made the railway a liability rather than a vital service in the eyes of the government, and all but the bare minimum of stations were closed. This is where the battle to preserve the East Lancashire Railway begins. Under various names the East Lancashire Light Railway company and the East Lancashire Railway trust have worked dilligently and for the most part voluntarily to keep a little piece of this bygone age alive.
Now it makes for an exciting and dramatic gateway to a great day out, with plenty of new experiences waiting for you along the line!
Also, see the transport history of Bury come to life around you in the Bury Transport Museum. Through interactive displays, vintage vehicle exhibits and original artefacts you can explore the stories of people's lives and jobs in the early 20th Century.
Contact
Address
Contact
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street,
Bury,
Lancashire
BL9 0EY
0333 320 2830
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is a 9-mile (14.5 km) long heritage railway in Derbyshire. The headquarters of the railway centre on Wirksworth station, and services operate in both directions between Wirksworth and Duffield and from Wirksworth to Ravenstor.
From April 2011 onward, passengers are now able to board and alight heritage services at Duffield where in recent years a station platform has been re-constructed. Heritage services are timed to connect with East Midlands Railway Nottingham - Derby - Matlock service at the adjacent Duffield. Network Rail platforms and therefore it is now possible for passengers to travel to and from Wirksworth by train from anywhere on the national network.
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is named after the River Ecclesbourne and the track follows the river from its source to its confluence with the River Derwent at the Derbyshire village of Duffield.
Despite being a branch in itself, there is also a separate 1⁄2 mile (0.8 km) branch operating from Platform 3 at Wirksworth Station up a 1 in 27 (3.27 %) gradient incline to Ravenstor (for the National Stone Centre and the High Peak Trail, respectively).
The line is operated by a large fleet of heritage Diesel Multiple Units, as well as diesel and visiting steam locomotives. Locomotive hauled trains initially only operated on Enthusiast and special event days often alongside the DMU fleet, whereas now locomotive hauled services make up a larger part of the railway's timetable.
Visit us
Address
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Wirksworth Station
Station Road
Coldwell Street
Wirksworth
Contact
+44 1629 823076
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway (E&BASR) is a heritage railway in North Yorkshire, England, formed in 1979 and opened in 1981.
The preserved railway was part of the former Midland Railway route from Skipton to Ilkley which was closed down by British Railways in 1965 over 15 years before the reopening of part of the line.
The E&BASR currently runs for a total distance of 4 miles (6 km) from Embsay via Draughton Sidings, Holywell and Stoneacre Loop to Bolton Abbey station and carries around 100,000 passengers a year.
The long-term objectives of the railway are extensions of the line in both directions, eastwards to the West Yorkshire village of Addingham and southwest towards the North Yorkshire market town of Skipton.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
The Worth Valley branch out of Keighley climbs up the valley serving several small Pennine villages along the way. At Oakworth, the railway leaves the valley of the River Worth and enters the valley of Bridgehouse Beck, wherein lie Haworth and the line's terminus at Oxenhope. The line has always terminated here, although press speculation of an extension to Hebden Bridge has at times been suggested. This has never been a serious proposition however.
A preservation society was formed in 1962 of rail enthusiasts and local people which bought the line from BR and reopened it on 29 June 1968 as a heritage railway. The first train to leave Keighley for Oxenhope on that date was the only train to operate anywhere on the network due to a national train strike. The line is now a major tourist attraction operated by 500+ volunteers and roughly 10 paid staff. It carries more than 100,000 passengers a year.
The KWVR is the only complete heritage railway in the UK to be preserved and operating. It has its link to the main line which is in regular use for all types of traffic, including public passenger trains and it operates the whole railway as last used by British Railways.
Visit us
Address
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway,
The Railway Station,
Haworth,
West Yorkshire
BD22 8NJ
Contact
+44 1535 645214
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
The Furness Railway was developed during the 1850's and 1860's, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, in order to transport the coal and iron ore deposits from mines in the coastal areas of Cumberland and the Furness district of Lancashire to the heavy industries of the North West and North East of England.
In 1946 the summer passenger service was reintroduced, but in September of the same year, Haverthwaite and Greenodd stations were closed to passengers, the final blow falling on the 5th September 1965 when the whole line was closed to passenger traffic, remaining open for freight only as far as Haverthwaite and Backbarrow Iron works. The Iron Works closed and the twice weekly service terminated on the 2nd April 1967. A Stanier Black 5, with a brake van "enthusiasts special" was the last British Railways train to visit Lakeside on the 2nd September 1967.
The re-opening on the 2nd May 1973, was a proud day for the Society members who had worked so hard to repair and restore the railway to the necessary operating standards and for the Company's directors, its shareholders and friends it was a dream realised.
Middleton Railway
The Middleton Railway is the world's oldest continuously working public railway, situated in the English city of Leeds. It was founded in 1758 and is now a heritage railway, run by volunteers from The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd. since 1960.
The railway operates passenger services at weekends and on public holidays over approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of track between its headquarters at Moor Road, in Hunslet, and Park Halt, on the outskirts of Middleton Park.
Visit us
Address
The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd,
The Station,
Moor Road,
Hunslet,
Leeds,
LS10 2JQ
Contact
+44 113 271 0320
Midland Railway - Butterley
Golden Valley Light railway
The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust's West Shed
Midland Railway - Butterley is a historic railway with a difference.
You can drive through the Derbyshire countryside behind one of the fascinating collections of locomotives in a restored carriage and explore the extensive museum complex and country park.
The museum complex includes a large railway museum,West Shed Experience, Midland Road Transport Group, Stationary Power Gallery, National Fork Truck Heritage Centre, Golden Valley Light Railway, Butterley Park Miniature Railway, Swanwick Junction Model Railway, Demonstration Signal Box and even a Victorian Railwaymen's Church. The main building was moved and rebuilt from Syston in Leicestershire. In 2011, the reservation hall, station master's office and toilets were opened.
Back at Butterley Station, the building from Whitwell in North Derbyshire was moved. There is a garden railway and an Alfreton model railway display.
Narrow gauge railwayGolden Valley Light Railwayuses a fleet collected from local industry and even from Poland. The star of her collection is the Ashover Light Railway car, which is being restored after being saved from being used as a bowling club for 50 years.
Midland Railway - Butterley
The Golden Valley Light railway
Museum West Shed Experience
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is a heritage railway in North Yorkshire, England that runs through the North York Moors National Park. First opened in 1836 as the Whitby and Pickering Railway, the railway was planned in 1831 by George Stephenson as a means of opening up trade routes inland from the then important seaport of Whitby. The line between Grosmont and Rillington was closed in 1965 and the section between Grosmont and Pickering was reopened in 1973 by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust Ltd. The preserved line is now a tourist attraction and has been awarded several industry accolades.
In 2007, the railway started to run regular services over the 6 miles (9.7 km) section of the Esk Valley Line north of Grosmont to Whitby. In 2012, the Pickering station for passengers was reopened. The length of the track is 18 miles(29 km). In 2014, a second platform was opened at Whitby which allowed the NYMR to run an enhanced service and led to passenger numbers in the same year of nearly 350,000 people.
Weardale Railway
The Weardale Railway isan 18-mile long heritage listed line that runs from a connection to the mainline network at Bishop Auckland to Eastgate in Weardale, County Durham, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A 16-mile section of the line between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope has now been restored for passenger and freight services.
Prior to the Covid pandemic, seasonal passenger and excursion trains operated on the 16-mile section between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland. Initially in 2023 we will operate 6 miles between Stanhope and Wolsingham and plan to resume service to Bishop Auckland in spring 2023 once track maintenance work on this section is completed. Preparations are at an advanced stage, with staff and volunteers being reassessed to operate the line to Bishop Auckland.Intermediate stations are at Frosterley, Wolsingham and Witton-le-Wear, with services also stopping at the new station serving Kingfisher Leisure Park, which opened in 2022. This was designed and built by Trust volunteers in partnership with Weardale Railway Limited, part of The Auckland Project, which owns the line.Seasonal passenger services on the heritage-listed line are operated by Weardale Railway Limited with support from Weardale Railway Trust volunteers. Weardale Railway Limited is developing plans to operate additional special, excursion and dining trains. These will also be operated with the help of Trust volunteers.The seasonal passenger services are operated by 1960s and 1980s diesel trainsets maintained and operated by the Weardale Railway Trust. These provide excellent views of the exceptional Dales landscape and numerous river crossings. There are plans for the future to reinstate steam operations using locomotives owned by the Weardale Railway Trust, which are currently undergoing extensive refurbishment.
Visit us
Address
Stanhope Station
Station Road
Stanhope
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL13 2YS
Contact
Wensleydale Railway
The Wensleydale Railway is a heritage railway in Wensleydale and Lower Swaledale in North Yorkshire, England. The line runs 22 miles (35 km) between Northallerton West station, about a fifteen-minute walk from Northallerton station on the East Coast Main Line, and Redmire.
Regular passenger services operate between Leeming Bar and Redmire, while occasional freight services and excursions travel the full length of the line.
The Wensleydale Railway Association (WRA) was formed in 1990 with the main aim of restoring passenger services. When British Rail decided to try to sell the line between Northallerton and Redmire following cessation of the quarry trains to Redmire, the WRA decided to take a more proactive role and aimed to operate passenger services itself. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had an interest in using the line between Northallerton and Redmire to transport armoured vehicles to/from Catterick Garrison. The MoD paid for repairs and restoration of the line and the installation of loading facilities at Redmire, and did not object to WRC taking over the line. A trial train ran in November 1993 and full MoD operations started in July 1996. These military transport trains continue to this day.
In 2000 WRA formed a separate operating company, the Wensleydale Railway plc (WRC), and issued a share offer to raise funds. £1.2 million was raised through this method. Railtrack agreed to lease the line between Northallerton and Redmire to WRC and a 99-year lease was signed in 2003. Passenger services restarted on 4 July 2003 with the stations at Leeming Bar and Leyburn being reopened. In 2004, the stations at Bedale, Finghall and Redmire were reopened. In 2010 a passing loop was opened at the site of the former Constable Burton station, which enabled the railway to introduce a 2-train service when required.
Visit us
Address
Leeming Bar Station,
Leases Road Leeming Bar,
Northallerton,
North Yorkshire,
DL7 9AR
Contact
+44 1677 425805
Aln Valley Railway
The Aln Valley Railway project is an ambitious plan to reopen the branch line from Alnmouth to Alnwick, the old county town of Northumberland and the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland.
Although the impressive railway station still exists in Alnwick, a road bypass and other commercial developments no longer make it viable to recreate in full the original run of around 3 miles between the two stations. As a result a new railway station and visitor center is being constructed adjacent to the A1 trunk road next to the Lionheart Enterprise Park on the outskirts of Alnwick from where the railway will follow the original trackbed all the way to Alnmouth Station. A cycleway / footpath will run alongside providing a safe traffic-free corridor between Alnwick and the National Cycle Network.
The first part of the reinstated railway opened in 2013
Peak Rail
The line is part of the old Midland Railway line between Manchester Central and London St Pancras, which closed in 1968.
Peak Rail services operate all year round and are mostly steam-hauled, although the railway also operates diesel locomotive-hauled trains on certain dates. All trains have a buffet car and a specially adapted car for wheelchair users.
The railway houses an extensive collection of steam and diesel locomotives, vintage carriages, carriages and other railway memorabilia, either owned by the railway, privately owned or by one of our groups.
Peak Rail offers further delights in the form of luxury dining services, hands-on steam train driving courses and various special events for the whole family.
A point of interest is the turntable located at Rowsley Station which was originally built by Cowans Sheldon and installed at Mold Junction depot in March 1937 as part of the LMS depot modernization scheme following the appointment of William Stanier as Chief Engineer.
Following the abolition of steam traction in April 1966, this 60ft diameter turntable remained in place until its removal by Peak Rail volunteers in 1987 and was first stored in Buxton before being taken to Darley Dale where a team of loyal, dedicated and dedicated volunteers set about until its restoration.
In March 2010, it was finally restored to a fully functional state.
North Tyneside Steam Railway
and
Stephenson Steam Railway
The North Tyneside Steam Railway and Stephenson Steam Railway are visitor attractions in North Shields, North East England. The museum and railway workshops share a building on Middle Engine Lane adjacent to the Silverlink Retail Park. The railway is a standard gauge line, running south for 2 miles (3.2 km) from the museum to Percy Main. The railway is operated by the North Tyneside Steam Railway Association (NTSRA). The museum is managed by Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums on behalf of North Tyneside Council.
The railway runs along the alignment of various former coal wagonways, which were later used by the Tyne and Wear Metro Test Centre; the museum and workshop building used to be the test facility. The museum is dedicated to the railway pioneers George Stephenson and his son Robert, with one of George's early locomotives, Billy, housed in the museum.
Visit us
Address
Stephenson Steam Railway
Middle Engine Lane
North Shields
NE29 8DX
Contact
(0191) 277 7135
Eden Valley Railway
The Eden Valley Railway Trust is working to restore the railway line between Warcop and Appleby-in-Westmorland.
Based at Warcop station, the current line is approximately 2.2 miles long and terminates at Southfields. Please note that there is no public access or station at Southfields, all our facilities are located at Warcop
Visit us
Address
Contact
Eden Valley Railway
Warcop Station
Warcop
Appleby
Cumbria
CA16 6PR
017683 42309
Tanfield Railway
The Tanfield Railway is a 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge heritage railway in Gateshead and County Durham, England. Running on part of a former horse-drawn colliery wooden waggonway, later rope & horse, lastly rope & loco railway. It operates preserved industrial steam locomotives. The railway operates a passenger service every Sunday, plus other days, as well as occasional demonstration coal, goods and mixed trains. The line runs 3 miles (4.8 km) between a southern terminus at East Tanfield, Durham, to a northern terminus at Sunniside, Gateshead. Another station, Andrews House, is situated near the Marley Hill engine shed. A halt also serves the historic site of the Causey Arch. The railway claims it is "the world's oldest railway" because it runs on a section dating from 1725, other parts being in use since 1621.
The railway is run by three bodies: "Friends of Tanfield Railway", "Tanfield Railway Trust" which owns the railway, the locomotives and rolling stock and "The Tanfield Railway Company" which operates the railway.
"The Tanfield Railway Company" is split into four departments; each has a manager and director: Engineering who maintain locomotives, Operations including drivers and guards, Carriage & Waggon who preserve carriages, and Commercial which operates shops, events and the passenger side of operations.
Visit us
Address
Tanfield Railway,
Marley Hill Engine Shed, Gateshead,
NE16 5ET
Contact
07508 092365
Bowes Railway
The Bowes Railway, built by George Stephenson in 1826, is the world's only operational preserved standard gauge cable railway system. It was built to transport coal from pits in Durham to boats on the River Tyne. The site is a scheduled monument. The railway is open every week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Easter til October) as well as on a number of event days throughout the year.
Original system
When the Bowes Railway was in full operation the line employed eight rope-worked inclined planes. Two of these (the Springwell and Birkheads inclines) were operated on the self-acting principle; the weight of descending full wagons hauled up the empty wagons via a rope running around a return wheel at the top of the hill. On the remaining six inclines (the Kibblesworth, Black Fell, Blackhams Hill East and West, Starrs and Allerdene Inclines), the ropes were driven by a stationary steam or later electric haulage engine located at the incline top. This type of railway operation pre-dates modern locomotive-type operations, and was laid down here by George Stephenson in 1826. The line's gradual closure eventually left only four inclines in use, these finally closing on 4 October 1974.
Tyne & Wear Industrial Monuments Trust was established April 1975 and took control of the line around Springwell from the National Coal Board through the medium of county council direction. By 1975 Springwell Workshops were building replica locomotives such as Locomotion No. 1 trading as Locomotion Enterprises.
The preserved Bowes railway, includes Springwell Colliery workshops, a one mile passenger railway and a further mile of rope hauled inclines. Visitors can visit the Victorian workshops and see engineering and blacksmithing demonstrations. A tour of the railway buildings, see the railway's wagon fleet as well as visit the small museum, cafe and shop can all be done at Springwell.
In the future the railway wish to restart passenger rides and rope haulage demonstrations for the benefit of the public.
Visit us
Address
Bowes Railway Co
Springwell Road
Springwell Village
Tyne & Wear
NE9 7QJ