Rudyard Lake Steam Railway

The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway is in the North Staffordshire Peak District. The railway uses miniature narrow gauge steam engines on its trains to give a scenic 3 mile return trip along the side of Rudyard Lake. The lake railway is 10 1/4 inch gauge and the steam trains are equivalent to about half the size of a full scale narrow gauge steam railway. All our steam trains are pulled by real coal burning steam engines and now run all year. The events webpage has full details. Special events, weddings, school trips and children's birthday parties etc can be booked. We offer very popular learn to drive a steam train experiences throughout the year. Santa special steam trains are run in December each year. The railways 5 steam engines all have names linked to the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Rudyard Lake is 200 years old and gave author Rudyard Kipling his name. It has a long history of leisure attractions being actively developed and promoted by the North Staffordshire Railway in the early 1900's to offer days out trips to the workers of the North West and Midlands. In addition to the steam railway the lake is a family centre for picnics, sailing, boating, walking and fishing as well as riding the train and makes a superb day out ideal for kids. Major improvements have been made to the railway and the lake facilities over the last 8 years.

Click here for the Events page for full details of fares, all running days, Bank & School Holiday and other events and the train timetable.

Trains- Steam trains now run every Saturday, Sunday & Bank holiday to end of October 2009 -11.00am to 4.00pm. Plus Daily Steam Trains in Summer Holidays July 18th to September 6th & every Wednesday in July -Normal fares apply and no booking is required. Extra running Days have been added on July 20 & 21.

Check the Events page for all 2009 dates including school holidays. Please ask us for our 2009 leaflet and a leaflet of all Britain's Great Little Railways.

Learn to Drive a Steam Engine Courses (the ideal birthday or Christmas gift) - PRICES REDUCED & many dates are available: Click here for more information

LTM Engineering a source for quality coaches, miniature railway bogies and other equipment Click here

LATEST NEWS updated 23/6/09: Click here Catering facilities, Work to Rudyard Station, Joint Engine Driver courses initiative with Fairbourne & Barmouth Railway, Extra running days in July - see events page

The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway and its narrow gauge steam trains is located in the Churnet Valley 1 mile North of the town of Leek in the Staffordshire Peak District near the Cheshire - Derbyshire border. Its easily accessible from Stoke, Derby, the Peak District, the Midlands and the North West. To get there head for Leek or Macclesfield and then take the A523 until you are just North of Leek. Look for the brown road signs and turn onto the B5331 for half a mile to the free car park at Rudyard Station. Click here for Maps and Directions

We hope you will enjoy our website and come and visit and travel with us on one of England's prettiest steam railways by one of the UK's most picturesque lakes. The lake has a fascinating history and recently excellent new facilities have been provided.

The railway and the attractions at the lake are being developed and more visitors encouraged. An active group of volunteers help to improve and operate the railway and new recruits are always welcome. Please come and give it a try if you are interested or contact us to talk it over.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION (click on the links below)