The Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway is Britain's highest narrow gauge adhesion railway, reaching 1,498 feet above sea level. Operated and managed by a team of dedicated enthusiasts, all of whom are volunteers, the railway welcomes visitors every weekend during the summer months. We also run special events outwith these times and hope that families enjoy our Easter, Halloween, Santa and Steam Weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, the trains run frequently, with journey time taking 25 minutes. The journey takes you from the station at Leadhills to the terminus at Glengonnar halt before returning back to the station. The train runs past the disused Glengonnar Mine, where minerals were first excavated in the 1450's.

The railway was originally built in 1900 for the Caledonian Railway Company for transporting refined lead to the central belt of Scotland. The lead mines closed in the late 1930's, but passenger traffic continued until the end of 1938.

The narrow gauge track has been built on the original track bed of the Caledonian Railway and today runs a variety of historic industrial diesel locomotives. Visitors are invited to explore the signal box and railway shed, view the trains and wander around our shop and small museum.

There are the hidden treasures at Wanlockhead and you may wish to combine a visit to the Railway with one to the Museum. Local accommodation is available for those who wish to make a visit to Leadhills and the surrounding area a holiday experience. Upper Nithsdale has stunning scenery and a wealth of historic places to visit including Drumlanrig Castle part of the Buccleuch Estate.