Railways

Over 150 heritage railways in the UK for a great family Railday out!

  • All
  • Funicular / Cliff Railway
  • Standard Gauge Railway
  • Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
  • Heritage Centre (all one site)
  • Miniature Railway (<15")
  • Heritage Tramway
  • Museum
  • Other
Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company

Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company

Paignton, Devon,

The scenery on this picturesque line is breathtaking - from Paignton along the spectacular English Riviera Geopark coast line, to the picturesque stations at Goodrington and Churston, then on through the wooded slopes of Long Wood bordering the Dart Estuary to Greenway Halt (for the estate of the late Dame Agatha Christie) and on to Kingswear. From spotting dolphins to seals, kingfishers to buzzards, pheasants, herons and egrets, the wildlife is superb. With such a varied range of scenery and wildlife, this is one of the finest heritage steam railway journeys anywhere in Europe. A short foot passenger ferry (optinal and free with your train ticket) takes you across the river Dart to the historic town of Dartmouth; home to the Britannia Royal Naval College, Bayards Cove, Butterwalk and Dartmouth Castle (England's first Castle to have guns as its main armament). Devon Belle Observation Carriage: this historic coach, built in 1917 originally as an ambulance vehicle for the London & North Western Railway, has recently undergone a major refit in our workshop at Queen's Park Station, Paignton. She will was "relaunched" in the 2018 season to celebrate her 100th year in service!!

Location
Queens Park Station, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6AF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01803 555 872
Dean Forest Railway

Dean Forest Railway

Lydney, Gloucestershire,

With our five stations along the way, you have time to explore the local area, taking in woodland walks and country pubs or venturing down to the Severn estuary to explore Lydney Harbour with its fantastic views across the Severn. Our volunteers work hard to ensure you have a great day out. Come join us on a Dean Forest train ride!

Location
Dean Forest Railway, Norchard Station, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4ET, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01594 845840
Derwent Valley Light Railway

Derwent Valley Light Railway

Murton, York,

Half a mile of the Derwent Valley Light Railway has been preserved within the Yorkshire Museum of Farming at Murton (York). Without doubt the DVLR has had a remarkable history remaining independent to its closure in 1981 (i.e. not becoming part of British Railways). Had it, it would surely had been closed long since.

Location
Derwent Valley Light Railway, C/O Murton Park, Murton Lane, Murton, York, YO19 5UF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01904 489 966
Devon Railway Centre

Devon Railway Centre

Tiverton, Devon,

Our railways give unlimited train rides around the centre and opportunities for you to become involved! Children can clip the tickets and wave the flag to start our trains. Explore our superb under-cover model railway exhibition with push buttons which control the trains. Delight in our Edwardian Model Village and Model Funfair, Wheal Beckie Tin Mine and outdoor children’s play area. Why not drive your own train or car, visit the Black Hole Orbiter ride or simply enjoy a round of crazy golf? Enjoy a picnic at our riverside picnic area or have a bite to eat in the surroundings of our restored Victorian Station. Our Indoor Play Coaches will provide hours of fun whatever the weather. Children can enjoy spending time in the ball pool and large indoor sand pit or playing with the wooden railways. The Play Shed houses our fantastic railway themed soft play area. Great fun for our younger visitors. All the family will enjoy a visit to our museum housed in a former BR carriage. Find out about the history of the site and play our interactive train games!

Location
The Station, Bickleigh, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8RG, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
01884 855 671
Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot, Oxfordshire,

Explore the unique collection of Great Western Railway steam locomotives, carriages, wagons, buildings and small artefacts at our 21 acre living museum set around the original 1932 Engine Shed.

Location
Station Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
01235 817 200
Doncaster Rail Heritage Centre

Doncaster Rail Heritage Centre

Doncaster, South Yorkshire,

The Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection was started in the 1930’s by the school’s Railway Society and the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection Trustee’s have been collecting railway memorabilia ever since. Public access to the massive collection of around 10,000 artefacts was previously very limited. The display of the collection in the Danum’s Rail Heritage Centre marks an exciting new chapter in the Society and in the significant role of the railways in Doncaster’s history. Alongside the objects on display are two Doncaster-built locomotives which have returned home to take centre stage in the Danum. They are on loan as part of a partnership between Heritage Doncaster and the National Railway Museum.

Location
Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, Waterdale, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 3BZ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01302 737 555
Doon Valley Railway

Doon Valley Railway

Ayr, Ayrshire,

Our aim is to create a living museum where historically significant industrial steam and diesel locomotives can be seen working in Scotland's last authentic industrial railway setting.

Location
Doon Valley Railway, Dunaskin Ironworks, Dunaskin, Patna, Ayr, Ayrshire, KA6 7JH, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01292 532 102
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Douglas, Isle of Man,

The horse trams are an iconic part of the of the Isle of Man. Started in 1876 by Thomas Lightfoot to take advantage of the booming tourist trade, the 3ft gauge tramway is currently operated by Isle of Man Transport as part of their Heritage Railway offering. Many of the original fleet of cars are still in use today, and it is still a popular tourist attraction and tramway of important historic value. It is the oldest surviving Horse Tramway in Britain, and the only one to have operated continuously since its opening (with the exception of World War II and recent Promenade refurbishment works). In South Australia, a similar system also exists. There are also other smaller horse drawn systems operating around the world

Location
Derby Castle, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 4NR, IM
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Tramway
Phone
01624 662 525
Downpatrick & County Down Railway

Downpatrick & County Down Railway

County Down, Northern Ireland,

The railway project is, to date, the only Irish Standard Gauge railway restoration project ever undertaken in Ireland (Irish standard gauge is five foot three inches as opposed to narrow gauge which is three foot and English standard gauge which is four feet eight and a half inches). The only other example of a Irish standard gauge railway in Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland Railways.

Location
Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT30 6LZ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
none
Dragon Miniature Railway

Dragon Miniature Railway

Stockport,

We operate a friendly railway, with a style reminiscent of BR steam days, when the area was part of the maroon London Midland Region. Kids and adults alike enjoy riding on our miniature trains and regularly come back time and time again. During our existence we have established ourselves as a high-quality attraction within not only our local community, but also further afield.

Location
Marple Garden Centre, Dooley Lane, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7HE, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")