MINOR RAILWAYS online
Latest Infrastructure Changes
& News
Below are shown the Latest
Infrastructure Changes and News to hand. The most recent additions
are shown in RED. Last amendment: 11th October 2009.
High Legh Railway - running in the grounds of High Legh Garden Centre, at High Legh, near Knutsford in Cheshire, this new 7¼" gauge railway opened on Saturday 10th October 2009. It is formed of a circuit of some 300 yards in length, with one station (with two platforms). The fare is £1.00 for all classes, for two circuits of the track, which passes through a pleasant grassy area adjacent to the A50. The station is adjacent to the Garden Centre car park. Motive power at present is a battery electric locomotive, with a three coach artic set of stock in blue livery. For more details see the railway's web site at: www.cheshirerailways.co.uk/highlegh or telephone the Garden Centre on 01925 756991. (11/10/09)
Lynton & Barnstaple Railway - a new 7¼" gauge railway came into passenger use at Woody Bay station during the Gala Weekend of 26/27th September 2009. It runs for about 150yds in an "E" layout, from a station at the top of the path leading down from the car park to the station, along the A39 side of the station building, to terminate close to the Loco & Stock shed. In use during the weekend was "Otter" from the Beer Heights Light Railway. The railway now has its own 7¼" gauge locomotive, appropriately a L&B type - so running may become more regular. (11/10/09)
Mine Railway - this new 2ft gauge railway opened on Monday 24th August 2009 at Blists Hill Victorian Town - one of the collection of Ironbridge attractions. It is formed of a simple "end to end" line (with no points), 235 yards in length, running from a single platform station into a "fake" tunnel - the "mine", which presumably doubles as a shed. The train is formed of a 4w battery electric locomotive, at the station end (AK84 of 2009), seven 4-wheel coaches (or more perhaps more accurately man-riders) and a driving carriage trailer, which also has some passenger accommodation. All were built by Alan Keef Ltd. The name "Sir Peter Gadsden" is carried on the fronts of the locomotive and trailer. When inside the mine, the train stops for a video presentation. The train then reverses to the station - total time about 15 minutes. A separate fare of £2.00 is charged, with no tickets being issued. Adjacent to the Mine Railway, is the Incline Lift, which is not a proper railway. The "rails" are girders carried on metal sleepers. On these, the single car runs on non-flanged wheels, being guided by a centre guide rail. It also opened on Monday 24 August and links the Mine Railway and lower level up to the canal level and is push-button operated. To visit the Mine Railway and view the facilities at Blists Hill Victorian Town, an admission fee of £13.25 for adults is payable. Details of Blists Hill and the various museums operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust are available at www.ironbridge.org.uk or from 01952 884391. (11/10/09)
Lincolnshire Wolds Railway - the extension to North Thoresby station opened on Wednesday 26th August 2009, bringing the length of the line up to 1m 56ch. This includes a short run south of Ludborough station, which is covered on return from North Thoresby. At present, there is no run-round loop at North Thoresby (nor at Ludborough) so trains are formed with a locomotive and modified brake coach acting as a driving coach.(20/09/09)
Kinver & West Midlands Model Engineers - this society has a track site at Marsh Playing Fields in Kinver, Staffordshire. On site is a long standing elevated track. Around 1989, a 7¼" gauge ground level track was added. In recent years, this has been out of use. However, this summer (and by Sunday 13th September 2009) it had been returned to passenger use. It is some 300yds in length. Public open days are Sundays from Easter to October, 14.00 to 17.00. (20/09/09)
Llechwedd Miniature Railway - this new 7¼" gauge railway opened on 11th August 2009. It is located inside the well-known Llechwedd Slate Caverns at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Currently only some 120 yards in length, further extensions are planned. Present motive power is a Cromar White battery electric locomotive.(20/09/09)
Rother Valley Steam Railway - located in Rother Valley Country Park, to the east of Sheffield, this new 7¼" gauge railway opened on Saturday 15th August 2009. It presently runs in a "D" layout for around 800 yards adjacent to a large lake. Future plans may see an extension to 3 miles, running around the lake. Trains run daily until the end of the summer school holidays and then it is planned to run at weekends all year around.(20/08/09)
Colne Valley Miniature Railway - a new extension was opened here at the start of the season on 22nd March 2009. The original station, by the standard gauge station footbridge, has been removed and the line extended into a new station on a return loop. Track length is now some 350yds. (12/07/09)
Evergreens Miniature Railway - this 7¼" gauge railway, located at Stickney near Boston in Lincolnshire, has been extended for the 2009 season. Although still affectively a "O" layout the length has been increased to around 650yds. (12/07/09)
East Somerset Miniature Railway - this new 7¼" gauge railway first ran for the public on Easter Sunday, 12th April 2009. It was officially opened by Bob Symes on Saturday 6th June, by which time it was 160 yards in length. It runs alongside the "main" East Somerset Railway, from close to Cranmore Signalbox, towards Cranmore West station - its intended destination. The layout is a simple "E" and for the time being operation is only on selected days - mostly special events on the East Somerset Railway. (07/06/09)
Ashmanhaugh Light Railway - the final (third phase) extension opened here, at the start of the 2009 season, on Sunday 3rd May. This brings the route length of the railway up to around 700 yards.(07/06/09)
Welsh Highland Railway - the length of the railway was brought up to 19 miles on Friday 22nd May 2009, with the opening to passenger trains of the section from Beddgelert to Hafod-y-Llyn. (07/06/09)
Welsh Highland Railway - the length of the railway was brought up to 16¼ miles on Wednesday 8th April 2009, with the opening to passenger trains of the section from Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert. (05/05/09)
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway, Skegness - this 2ft gauge railway reopened on Sunday 3rd May 2009, over 27 years since it last ran on its previous site near Cleethorpes. It now operates inside Skegness Water Leisure Park, a few miles north of the Lincolnshire resort. The line is formed of a "E" run of around 650 yards, with one station called "Lakeview". A smart new five road shed is served by short spur running from Lakeview Station. Trains are formed of a diesel locomotive and one coach - the loco running round at each end. Passenger trains operate on Bank Holiday Sundays and Sundays from 19th July to 23rd August 2009 - from 11.00 to 16.00. (05/05/09)
Stone Line, Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Wirksworth - this new 2ft gauge railway opened on Good Friday, 10th April 2009. It runs in an "E" layout for around 300 yards alongside Wirksworth Yard, under the bridge at the north end of the yard to terminate a small station near the yard headshunt. Motive power is "Lesley the Lister" and passenger accommodation is one covered coach. The railway was opened by Dr Patrick Strange, Vice-Chairman of the Derbyshire Environmental Trust at 11.00. Rides are £1.00 for adults and 50p for children. Future operation is at Bank Holiday Weekends, and weekends from mid July until the end of August - plus certain other special event days. (13/04/09)
Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway, Rowsley, Derbyshire - a short extension of around 50 yards opened here on Easter Saturday, 11th April 2009. Currently, there is no run-round loop at the new terminus - so as before - trains are "topped & tailed". (13/04/09)
Twinlakes Park Railway, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire - a new 15" gauge railway opened inside this theme park towards the end of last year. It features the locomotives, rolling stock and track from the American Adventure Theme Park at Shipley near Ilkeston, which closed on 29 October 2006. The new railway opened for passenger trains on 22 November 2008, although some test runs had taken place in October. The line is formed of a balloon loop, with one station – although another is under construction. Beware, however, single adults or parties of only adults are not admitted into the park. To gain entry each party must contain at least one child aged 14 or under and one adult aged 18 or over. Therefore the average railway enthusiast is not welcome. (28/03/09)
Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum - This is located off Swanwick Road, Lower Swanwick, Southampton. Grid reference is SU499098. The 2ft gauge line is still being relaid to be brought up to passenger carrying standard. A new permanent 7¼" gauge line has recently (their web site states it was running by July 2008) opened. Stage 1 is about 101 yards in length. Stage 2 is expected to be laid this winter and the formation is already partly available. Stock on the 7¼" gauge line is ex-Bankside Miniature Railway (an elevated line) at Brambridge House Garden Centre, near Eastleigh. All rail activities at the Brickworks are by the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust (HNGRT). Telephone number for the Brickworks Museum is 01489 576248, and the Museum's web site is at: www.bursledonbrickworks.co.uk. According to that web site, the HGNRT "offer rides on the miniature railway" during open days at the Museum, which are during 2009: 19 April, 10 May, 21 June, 19 July, 23 August, 20 September, 18 October and 15 November. (15/01/09)
Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway, County Offaly - sadly the passenger trains worked over the Bord na Mona system at Shannonbridge, under the title of the Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway have ceased. It is presumed the last trains ran at the end of the 2008 season, in late October. An increase in the number of peat trains operated, and their incompatability with passenger trains given H&S issues, is stated as the reason for their withdrawal (13/12/08)
Plowman's Garden Nursery, West Parley, Bournemouth - a new 7¼" gauge railway opened here on Saturday 11th October 2008. It uses the locomotives and rolling stock from the closed railway at Dobwalls in Cornwall. At the present, the railway is a balloon loop of some 350 yards. An extension to 2 miles is planned. For more information contact the Nursery on 01202 582169. (09/11/08)
North London Model Engineers - this society has their track site at Colney Heath near Hatfield. The ground level 5"/7¼" gauge line has, over the last two years, been extended onto a new piece of land acquired by the Society. The extension was finally complete and opened during the Gala Weekend in June 2008. Further extensions formed by curves and connections are planned. The full line is now around 970 yards in length, although not all of that is always used in passenger service. (09/11/08)
Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway - this is name given to the railway activities of the Rushden Historical Transport Society, based at the former Rushden station on the Midland Railway Higham Ferrers branch. From Rushden station, track extends in the direction of Higham Ferrers as far as the Shirley Road overline bridge – around 300 yards. It is hoped to extend further in this direction – in the opposite direction the bridge over the former A6 is missing. Public rides are now available here - an example being in conjunction with a "Model Weekend" on 13 & 14 September 2008. (04/10/08)
Ascot Locomotive Society - this group have a multi-gauge ground level track near to Ascot Racecourse. Lease restrictions prevent regular public running, but open days take place from time to time - such an occasion was for the nearby Model Engineering Exhibition over the weekend of 20/21 September 2008. The line is a complex layout of around 1,000yds, featuring two stations - this replaces their earlier line, which had to be moved due to work on the Racecourse - this last ran on 5th October 2003. The new line first ran on 21st May 2007, with the main track being largely complete and opened on 26th August 2007. (04/10/08)
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