The railway is Britain's highest adhesion railway (i.e. driven by the friction of its wheels on the track), reaching a maximum height of 1,500 feet above sea level. It operates at weekends through the summer half of the year and makes for a highly unexpected and thoroughly recommended part of any day out in the beautiful and remote upland villages of Leadhills and Wanlockhead. The railway operates from Leadhills Station, which is reached up a minor road that climbs above the south end of the village of Leadhills. Visitors can view the exhibition in the small station, see the engines in the nearby engine shed, or take a look at the signal box. Or, of course, you can take a train ride. Trains depart fairly regularly when the railway is operating and travel from Leadhills for the three quarters of a mile steady climb to Glengonnar Halt. After a short stop there the train then returns to Leadhills Station.