Volunteers with the help of many companies, groups and individuals have transformed the derelict coal yard into an inner-city green space, a landscaped haven with ponds and waterfalls, creating increased biodiversity and habitat for our wildlife... plus restored and repurposed Victorian aqueducts and bridges in true 'Circular Economy' style! Over 30 years - Volunteers have also created the ‘Globe Hall Earth Centre’ with a solar powered ‘World’ – Plus over 2,000 sqft of intriguing, exciting model railways!

Public running dates for Rainsbrook Valley Railway in 2023 are: 5th April,16th April, 21st May, 31st May, 18th June, 16th July, 20th August, 30th August, 17th September, 15th October and 1st November. There will be 2 sessions on Sundays 11-1 then 2-4.

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway has been in operation since 1875, originally built as a 3ft gauge line before being converted to 15in gauge in 1915. Today, trains travel seven miles through splendid Lakeland scenery, running from the coastal village of Ravenglass inland to Eskdale. Along the way, passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of rivers, woodlands, and fells before arriving in Eskdale, a gateway to traditional pubs, scenic riverside walks, and mountain climbs. On arrival at Dalegarth, the towering peaks of Scafell and Harter Fell provide a dramatic backdrop. Trains are typically steam-hauled, with limited diesel operations at certain times of the year. The locomotive fleet includes River Irt, the oldest working 15in gauge steam engine in the world, and River Mite, the first new-build steam locomotive of the preservation era.

Our steam trains were built in Rhyl during the 1920s, and so have been hauling passengers around Marine Lake for the last eighty years! Even our first train from 1911 recently returned to us after over 90 years away! Upon returning to ‘Central Station’, find out more about our story in our museum, where there are hands on exhibits to amuse the younger ones. Our ticket office sells tea and coffee, confectionery and a good range of children’s gifts. The station, museum and toilets are open on every day that trains are operating. We have good facilities for disabled visitors. The railway is located at Marine Lake, only a short walk from the new iconic pedestrian bridge Pont y Ddraig.

Whatever the weather, you can expect a warm and friendly welcome from Ribble Steam’s team of committed volunteers. Whether you are a keen steam enthusiast, or just simply looking for a fun and relaxed day out, Ribble Steam offers a memorable experience of Lancashire’s world famous Industrial heritage. Visit the museum discover the history of Preston docks and the story of the first electric trains. There is much to explore in the 'hands on' museum, complete with a fabulous indoor miniature railway for young hearts. Watch industrial engines and locomotives lovingly being restored, behind the scenes. Remember to check out the RSR shop to find that special visit memento, present, specialist publication or popular railway character memorabilia. Look out for art activities, special events, such as Steam or Diesel Galas, and exhibitions, Friendly Engines, Family Fun on our Teddy Bears Specials, Classic Car Day on Father's Day, Model Tramways weekend and our Fabulous Santa Specials.

Rocks by Rail is an outdoor adventure, cast in an ironstone quarry. Covering 19 acres of reclaimed quarry, railway tracks and nature trails, Rocks By Rail is a journey back in time. It’s an unmissable opportunity to experience an awesome industrial landscape. Explore fascinating nature trails. Take a train trip. Drive a classic loco. Tour the workshop and loco yard. View the ironstone exhibition and learn about its importance throughout history. Then sit back with a cuppa in a 1960s style café, or browse the Museum shop. Rocks By Rail is a big value day out. Whether you’re a family seeking informative fun, a rail and digger enthusiast, or a teacher looking for ways to bring lessons to life – you’ll find the living ironstone museum so involving you’ll wonder where the hours went!

Known as "Kent’s Mainline in Miniature", our world famous one-third full size steam & diesel locomotives have powered their way along the 13½ miles of track from the Cinque Port town of Hythe, terminating in Dungeness; a National Nature Reserve. With 4 stations in between, all within walking distance of a beach, our railway provides you with an opportunity to explore this unique corner of Kent. Coast & country walks, with all manner of wildlife & flora to be seen, cycle rides, medieval churches and iconic lighthouses are all on our doorstep. With excellent catering facilities available at some stations, our ever-popular Model Railway Exhibition, play parks, good station shops, free car parking and facilities to assist our disabled visitors, RH&DR is the perfect any-weather, all-generations great day out.

Romsey Signal Box is a building from 1873 and a working museum which gives an insight into the life of a railway signalman. As well as the main attraction, the site has visitor centres containing a miniature signalbox where working demonstrations are run most open days, along with restored artefacts, photographs and information about the history of the restoration. There are also picnic and garden areas. There are modest charges to enter the site, the funds from which are used to continue with our restoration projects. The site is accessible by wheelchair, although the working floor of the signalbox can only be accessed by climbing the authentic steps. However, a CCTV link has been established linking the box to the pavilion for wheelchair users and visitors who are not confident using stairs.

The original Deeside Railway opened on 8th September 1853 and reached Ballater some 13 years later. It amalgamated with the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1876. The line was regularly patronised by the Royal Family and other visitors to Balmoral Castle until it closed in 1966 as a result of the notorious Beeching Report. Thirty years later, the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society was formed and the work of restoring part of the line commenced in 2003. We now have about a mile of track in passenger service and are gradually extending the line along the original trackbed until we reach Banchory, which will give us a running line of just over 2 miles.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a narrow gauge railway was used to transport materials around the site. Over the past decade a dedicated team of volunteers have constructed a 2 foot 6 inch gauge railway, reflecting this history. The Gunpowder Railway completed its first full running season at the end of October of 2022, transporting over 1500 passengers!

The 10 1/4 Railway was started in 1995 and now covers approximately 1 mile of track with unrivalled views of Southampton water. A new station building and a 3/4 mile extension are under construction. Home to a large variety of steam and diesel locomotives. Open every weekend and all school holidays.

Woody Bay station is beside the beach & children’s splash pad, and it is the oldest terminus on the line. The other station is Willow Lawn station, located next to the car park and nearby the ‘Waters Edge’ pub & carvery. At Willow Lawn station, passengers can observe the locomotive being turned on the turntable, before the train heads back to Woody Bay. All our trains are wheelchair, pushchair and buggy friendly. The service is normally operated by one of our large diesel locomotives. On weekends and Bank Holidays, our steam locomotive 'Mad Bess', which is a half scale version of the Ffestiniog Railway locomotive 'Blanche', may pull the train.

Rushden Transport Museum is in East Northamptonshire close to the county borders with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

On June 28 1884 Saltburn’s unique funicular Cliff Tramway opened to the public replacing the vertical hoist. Still in use today, this incorporates the same ingenious system of counterbalancing water tanks. Two cars each fitted with a 1500 litre water tank, run on parallel tracks, the carriage at the top of the 71% incline has its tank filled with water until it over balances the weight of the carriage 120ft below and gently descends while the lower car ascends. When the carriage reaches the bottom its water is re-pumped to the top and the process begins again. The entire operation is controlled by the brake man from the cabin at the top station of the tramway.

We have been here since 1947 and it is entirely manned by dedicated volunteers. We are open afternoons between 1 pm and 5 pm from Good Friday until the last weekend of September.

The Scarborough North Bay Railway is a great way to travel to Scarborough Sea Life Centre with our regular public transport service train. More than just a railway, bring your family to explore the Sky Trail, experience the thrill of the historic Water Chute, face the challenge of the Water Balls or take things more leisurely on the boating lake. Our seaside attraction is family friendly and accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. 100% dog friendly and you are welcome to travel on the train with dogs for a small fee but we do ask you keep your dog on a short lead.

The lift was designed by a Mr Lucas, a consulting engineer of Great George Street, Westminster and built by the Crossley Brothers of Manchester. The Metropolitan Railway Company of Birmingham supplied two cars designed to run on a Funicular system, in which a cable attached to both cars on the rails would move them up and down a very steep gradient, the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalancing each other. Each car was capable of carrying 20 passengers. The covered-body carriages of the cars were mounted on a triangular sub-frame that housed a water tank. The original hydraulic operating system pumped water through the central pipe by two gas engines, filling the water tank of the upper car. With the weight of this car now much increased, when the brakes were released gravity ensured that the upper car descended, whilst at the same time the lower car with the empty tank ascended. On reaching the bottom, the car’s water tank would be emptied, and the process would begin again with the car now at the top. The gas engines did not prove satisfactory and were replaced in 1879 by coke-burning steam pumps which remained until a major refurbishment in 1934-35 by Hudswell, Clarke & Company. These works included the replacement of the two 19th century cars, with new cars that have changed very little to this day, and the installation of a 90hp electric winding motor replacing the hydraulic system.

The coastal resort of Seaton is now a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whilst the historic town of Colyton is described as "Devon’s Most Rebellious Town" for its part in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Be sure to pay us a visit!

As part of the experience, make a stop for discovery at The Engine House, our indoor visitor centre at Highley, home to our reserve collection of full-size steam locomotives. Take a fascinating journey behind the scenes, explore the interactive exhibits, let off steam at our outdoor play area and meet the locomotive that collided with a camel. If you are a railway enthusiast or simply looking for things to do with the family a trip to the Severn Valley Railway will provide fun for the whole family.

The route we now take was part of the flood dykes, an irrigation system built between 1819 and 1838 by the Duke of Portland who spent almost £40,000 on a 7.5 mile irrigation scheme to create water meadows on the dry and sandy land. Huge amounts of earth were moved to smooth the fields and move the river, with an irrigation canal being excavated along the top between Mansfield Woodhouse and where we are now. This was partially drained in the fifties to allow development but provides us with a stunning valley to run around and a level course to continue along for future extensions. The railway is a family concern and we would like this opportunity to thank all our hardworking volunteers, without whom, we wouldn’t have the fantastic little railway we have today.