Railway Museums

Beamish

The Living Museum of the North, County Durham.

Open: Daily.

Tel: 0191 370 4000.

Coleford GWR Museum

Coleford, Gloucestershire. Open: Fris, Sats.

Tel: 01594 832032/833569.

Colonel Stephens Railway Museum

Tenterden station, KESR. Open on KESR operating days. Tel: 01580 765155.

Crewe Heritage Centre

Vernon Way, Crewe. Open: W/Es, bank hols. Tel: 01270 212130.

Donegal Railway Heritage Centre

Donegal.

Open: Mon-Sat.

Tel: 00353 (0) 749722655.

Head of Steam

North Road Station, Darlington.

Closed for redevelopment. Tel: 01325 405060.

Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

Irchester, Northamptonshire. Open: Suns.

Tel: 01604 675368.

Leeds Industrial Museum

Armley Mills, Leeds. Open: Tues-Suns. Tel: 0113 378 2097.

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, Shildon

Co Durham. Open: Weds-Suns. Tel: 033 0058 0058.

London Transport Museum

Covent Garden. Open: Daily.

Tel: 0343 222 5000.

Manchester Museum of Science & Industry

Castlefield, Manchester. Open: Daily.

Tel: 033 0058 0058.

Museum of Scottish Railways

Bo’ness, West Lothian. Open: Daily.

Tel: 01506 825855.

National Railway Museum

Leeman Road, York. Open: Daily.

Tel: 033 0058 0058.

Penrhyn Castle & Railway Museum

Bangor, Gwynedd. Open: Daily. Tel: 01258 353084.

Rail Story

Ingrow, West Yorks.

Open: Carriage Works daily, Engine Shed Tues-Suns.

Tel: 01535 690739 or 01535 680425.

Railworld Wildlife Haven

Peterborough. Open: Weds, W/Es. Tel: 01733 344420.

Riverside Museum

Glasgow. Open: Daily. Tel: 0141 287 2720.

STEAM – Museum of the GWR

Swindon. Open: Daily. Tel: 01793 466637.

Tiverton Museum

Tiverton, Devon. Open: Tues-Sats. Tel: 01884 256295.

West Cumberland Railway Museum

St Bees, Cumbria.

Open one week per month or by appointment for special interest groups – contact petergrooke@btinternet.com

MIDLANDS

Abbey Pumping Station

2ft gauge, ¼ mile. Corporation Road, Leicester, LE4 5PX. Tel: 0116 299 5111. Open: Daily.

Amerton Railway

2ft gauge, one mile. Stowe-by-Chartley, Staffs. Tel: 01889 271337.

Running: Mar 27.

Apedale Valley Railway

2ftgauge,½mile. Apedale,Newcastleunder-Lyme, Staffs.

Tel: 0845 094 1953.

Running: W/Es, bank hols from Mar 30.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse

Standard gauge. Barrow Hill, near Chesterfield. Tel: 01246 475554. Open: W/Es.

Battlefield Line

Standard gauge, five miles. Shackerstone, Leics. Tel: 01827 880754. Running: W/Es.

Cambrian Heritage Railways

Standard gauge, 1¾ miles (Oswestry), ¾ mile (Llynclys). Oswestry and Llynclys, Shropshire. Tel:01691728131. Running: Mar 29-Apr 1.

Chasewater Railway

Standard gauge, two miles. Walsall, West Midlands. Tel: 01543 452623. Open: Daily. Running: Apr 6/7.

Churnet Valley Railway

Standard gauge, 5¼ miles. Cheddleton, Staffs. Tel: 01538 360522. Running: W/Es, bank hols + Weds from Apr 3.

Crich Tramway Village

Standard gauge, one mile. Crich, Derbyshire.

Tel: 01773 854 321

Open: Sats-Thurs.

Dean Forest Railway

Standard gauge, 4½ miles. Norchard, Lydney, Glos. Tel: 01594 845840.

Running: Weds, W/Es, bank hols.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Standard gauge, nine miles. Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Tel: 01629 823076.

Reunning: W/Es, bank hols + Apr 4/5, 11/12.

Echills Wood Railway

7¼in gauge, 1¼ miles. Kingsbury Water Park, Sutton Coldfield.

Running: Suns from Apr 7.

Evesham Vale Railway

15in gauge, 1¼ miles. A46 north of Evesham, Worcs. Tel: 01386 422282. Running: W/Es, sch hols.

Foxfield Railway

Standard gauge, 5½ miles.

Blythe Bridge, Staffs. Tel: 01782 396210. Running: Suns, bank hols from Mar 31.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

Standard gauge, 15 miles. Toddington, Glos. Tel: 01242 621405.

Running: W/Es, bank hols + Tues, Weds from Mar 26.

Great Central Railway

Standard gauge, eight miles. Loughborough, Leics LE11 1RW.

Tel: 01509 632323. www.gcrailway.co.uk Running: W/Es, bank hols, sch hols.

Great Central Railway (Nottingham)

Standard gauge, 10 miles. Ruddington, Notts. Tel: 0115 940 5705.

Open: Mar 16/17, Apr 9/10.

Leek & Rudyard Railway

10¼in gauge, 1½ miles. Leek, Staffs. Tel: 01538 269948.

Reopens: Spring 2024.

Midland Railway – Butterley

Standard gauge, 3½ miles. Ripley, Derbyshire. Tel: 01773 570140. Running: Mar 29-Apr 1, 6/7.

Northampton & Lamport Railway

Standard gauge, two miles. Pitsford, Northants. Tel: 01604 820327. Running: Suns from Mar 31 + Mar 29, Apr 1.

Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway

Standard gauge, 1½ miles. Hunsbury Hill, Northampton. Tel: 01604 702031.

Running: Mar 31, Apr 1, 14, 28.

Peak Rail

Standard gauge, four miles.

Matlock, Derbyshire. Tel: 01629 580381. Running: W/Es, bank hols + Apr 3/4, 10/11.

Perrygrove Railway

15in gauge. B4228, Coleford, Gloucestershire.

Tel: 01594 834991.

Open: Tues, Thurs, W/Es.

Rocks by Rail

Standard gauge, ¼ mile. Cottesmore, Rutland. Tel: 07974 171068.

Open: Mar 31, Apr 14.

Rushden Transport Museum & Railway

Standard gauge, ½ mile. Rushden, Northants. Tel 0300 3023 150. Running: Mar 31, Apr 1.

Severn Valley Railway

Standard gauge, 16 miles. Kidderminster, Worcs DY10 1QR. Tel: 01562 757900. Running: W/Es + Apr 2-4, 18/19.

Statfold Barn Railway

2ft gauge, one mile. Tamworth, Staffs B79 0BU. Tel: 01827 830389.

Open: Fris-Suns.

Tanat Valley Light Railway

Standard gauge, 1½ miles. Nantmawr, Shropshire SY10 9HW.

Tel: 01691 780042. www.tanatvalleyrailway.co.uk Open: TBA.

Telford Steam Railway

Standard gauge, one mile. Telford, Shropshire.

Running: Suns, bank hols from Mar 31.

Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway

2ft gauge, ½ mile. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Toddington.

Running: Mar 31, Apr 1.

NORTH WEST

Blackpool Heritage Depot & Tram Tours

Standard gauge, 11 miles. Blackpool, Lancs. Tel: 01253 209521. www.blackpoolheritage.com

Depot: Reopens TBA. Heritage tram tours: W/Es, bank hols Mar 29.

East Lancashire Railway

Standard gauge, 12 miles. Bury, Lancs. Tel: 0333 320 2830.

Running: W/Es, bank hols + Apr 3-5, 10-12.

Eden Valley Railway

Standard gauge, 2½ miles. Warcop, Cumbria. Tel: 01768 342309. Running: Mar 30.

Great Laxey Mine Railway

19in gauge, ¼ mile. Laxey, Isle of Man. Tel: 01624 862007/670386. Running: Sats from Mar 30.

Groudle Glen Railway

2ft gauge, ¾ mile. Isle of Man. Tel: 01624 670453. Running: Mar 31, Apr 1.

Heaton Park Tramway

Standard gauge, ½ mile. Manchester. Tel: 0161 740 1919. Reopens: TBA.

Isle of Man Steam Railway

3ft gauge, 15½ miles.

Douglas, Isle of Man.

Tel: 01624 662525.

Running: Thurs-Suns + Mons from Mar 25 + Apr 2/3, 9/10.

Kirkby Stephen East

Standard gauge, ½ mile. Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. Tel: 01768 371700.

Open: Suns.

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

Standard gauge, 3½ miles. Near Ulverston, Cumbria. Tel: 01539 531594.

Running: Daily from Mar 23.

Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway

3ft gauge, 17 miles (MER), 5½ miles (SMR). Douglas, Isle of Man.

Tel: 01624 697473.

Running: Tues-Suns from Mar 23.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

15in gauge, seven miles. Ravenglass, Cumbria. Tel: 01229 717171. Running: Daily.

Ribble Steam Railway

Standard gauge, 1½ miles. Preston, Lancs. Tel: 01772 728800.

Running: Sats from Apr 13.

South Tynedale Railway

2ft gauge, 4¾ miles.

Alston, Cumbria.

Tel: 01434 338212.

Running: W/Es, bank hols from Mar 29 + Apr 2/3, 9/10.

Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum

2ft gauge, ½ mile. Threlkeld, Cumbria. Tel: 01768 779747.

Opens: Tues-Suns from Mar 29.

West Lancashire Light Railway

2ft gauge. Hesketh Bank, Lancs.

Tel: 01772 815881.

Running: Suns, bank hols from Mar 24.

NORTH EAST

Aln Valley Railway

Standard gauge, 1½ miles. Alnwick, Northumberland.

Tel: 0300 030 3311.

Running: Mar 30/31, Apr 1, 10, 14.

Appleby Frodingham Railway-Scunthorpe

Standard gauge, 15 miles. British Steel

Steelworks, Scunthorpe. Tel: 07889 297271. Running: Apr 27.

Bowes Railway

Standard gauge, 1¾ miles. Springwell, Tyne & Wear. Tel: 07850 916484. Open: Tues & Thurs to pre-booked groups only.

Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway

15in gauge, two miles. Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire Tel: 01472 604657. Running: Daily from Mar 23.

Derwent Valley Light Railway

Standard gauge, ½ mile. Murton, near York. Tel: 01904 489966.

Running: Suns, bank hols from Mar 31.

Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway

Standard gauge, five miles. Embsay, North Yorks. Tel: 01756 795189. Running: Suns, bank hols + Tues, Fris from Apr 2.

Heatherslaw Light Railway

15in gauge, two miles. Ford Forge, Northumberland. Tel: 01890 820244.

Running: Daily from Mar 28.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Standard gauge, five miles. Haworth, West Yorks, BD22 8NJ. Tel: 01535 645214. Running: W/Es, sch hols, bank hols + Weds from Apr 10.

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway

2ft gauge. Skegness, Lincs. Tel: 07407 500884. Running: Apr 20/21.

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway

Standard gauge, 1½ miles. Ludborough, Lincolnshire. Tel: 01507 363881. Reopens: April 28.

Middleton Railway

Standard gauge, 1½ miles. Hunslet, Leeds. Tel: 0845 680 1758. Running: W/Es, bank hols from Mar 30 +Apr3,10.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Standard gauge, 18 miles. Grosmont, North Yorks. Tel: 01751 472508.

Running: Daily from Mar 23.

Scarborough North Bay Railway

20in gauge, ⁷⁄₈ mile. Scarborough, North Yorks. Tel: 01723 368791.

Running: Daily from Mar 23.

Stephenson Steam Railway

Standard gauge, two miles. North Shields. Tel: 0191 277 7135. Open: Mar 29, 31, Apr 1, 4, 7, 11, 14.

Tanfield Railway

Standard gauge, three miles. Near Gateshead, Tyne & Wear.

Tel: 07508 092365.

Running: Suns, bank hols.

Weardale Railway

Standard gauge, 18 miles. Stanhope, Co. Durham.

Running: Mar 29-31, Apr 1, 3, 6, 10, 13/14.

Wensleydale Railway

Standard gauge, 22 miles. Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire.

Tel: 01677 425805.

Running: W/Es, bank hols + Weds from Mar 27.

Whistlestop Valley Railway (Kirklees)

15in gauge, four miles. Huddersfield, West Yorks. Tel: 01484 865727.

Open: W/Es, sch hols.

Yorkshire Wolds Railway

Standard gauge, 1,000ft. Fimber, East Yorkshire. Tel: 01377 338053.

Running: Suns, bank hols from Mar 31.

WALES

Bala Lake Railway

2ft gauge, 4½ miles. Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd. Tel: 01678 540666. Running: Tues-Thurs, W/Es, sch hols.

Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway

Standard gauge, 3½ miles. Blaenavon, Torfaen. Tel: 01495 792263.

Running: W/Es, bank hols from Mar 29.

Brecon Mountain Railway

1ft 11¾in gauge, five miles.

Pant, Mid-Glamorgan. Tel: 01685 722988. Running: Tues-Thurs, W/Es, bank hols from Mar 23.

Corris Railway

2ft 3in gauge, ¾ mile. Corris, near Machynlleth. Tel: 01654 761701. Running: Mar 29-31, Apr 1, 6.

Fairbourne Railway

12¼in gauge, two miles. Fairbourne, Gwynedd. Tel: 01341 250362. Running: Tues-Thurs, W/Es, bank hols, sch hols from Mar 23.

Ffestiniog Railway

2ft gauge, 13½ miles. Porthmadog, Gwynedd. Tel: 01766 516000. Running: Daily from Mar 23.

Gwili Railway

Standard gauge, four miles. Bronwydd Arms, Carmarthenshire.

Tel: 01267 238213.

Running: Weds, Thurs, Suns, bank hols from Mar 29.

Llanberis Lake Railway

2ft gauge, three miles. Llanberis, Gwynedd. Tel: 01286 870549.

Running: Suns-Fris, sch hols.

Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway

Standard gauge, ¼ mile. Cynheidre, Carmarthenshire.

Tel: 07956 082305.

Reopens: Spring 2024.

Llangollen Railway

Standard gauge, 10 miles. Llangollen, Denbighshire.

Tel: 01978 860979.

Running: W/Es, bank hols + Fris from Apr 5.

Rhyl Miniature Railway

15in gauge. Rhyl, North Wales.

Tel: 01352 759109.

Running: W/Es, sch hols from Mar 23.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

800mm gauge, 4½ miles. Llanberis, Gwynedd. Tel: 01286 870223. Running: Daily from Mar 23.

Talyllyn Railway

2ft 3in gauge, 7½ miles. Tywyn, Gwynedd. Tel: 01654 710472. Running: W/Es. Daily from Mar 23

Teifi Valley Railway

2ft gauge, ½ mile. Henllan, Ceredigion, SA44 5TD. Tel: 01559 371077. Running: TBA.

Vale of Rheidol Railway

1ft 11¾in gauge, 12 miles. Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. Tel: 01970 625819. Running: Daily from Mar 23.

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

2ft gauge, one mile. Porthmadog, Gwynedd. Tel: 01766 513402. Reopens: Spring 2024.

Welsh Highland Railway

2ft gauge, 26 miles. Caernarfon, Gwynedd. Tel: 01766 516000.

Running: Thurs, W/Es from Mar 28 + sch hols.

Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway

2ft 6in gauge, eight miles. Llanfair Caereinion, Powys. Tel: 01938 810441. Running: Weds, Thurs, W/Es, sch hols from Mar 23.

SCOTLAND

Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway

Standard gauge, five miles. Bo’ness, West Lothian. Tel: 01506 825855.

Running: W/Es, bank hols from Mar 24 + Tues from Apr 2.

Caledonian Railway

Standard gauge, four miles. Brechin, Angus. Tel: 01356 622992.

Running: Mar 30/31.

Doon Valley Railway

Standard gauge. Dunaskin, Ayrshire. Reopens: May 26.

Keith & Dufftown Railway

Standard gauge, 11 miles. Dufftown, Banffshire. Tel: 01340 821181. Running: W/Es from Mar 30 + Mar 29.

Lathalmond Railway Museum

Standard gauge, ½ mile.

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond, near Dunfermline. Tel: 07379 914801. Open: Suns from Mar 31.

Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway

2ft gauge, ¾ mile. Leadhills, South Lanarkshire. Running: Suns from Mar 31.

Royal Deeside Railway

Standard gauge, 1¼ miles. Banchory, Kincardineshire. Tel: 01330 844416. Reopens: TBA.

Strathspey Railway

Standard gauge, 10 miles. Aviemore, Inverness-shire. Tel: 01479 810725. Running: W/Es, bank hols from Mar 23 + Tues/Weds from Apr 3.

IRELAND

Cavan and Leitrim Railway

3ft gauge. Downpatrick, Co. Down. Tel: +353 71 963 8599.

Running: Sats-Mons from Mar 31.

Downpatrick & County Down Railway

5ft 3in gauge. Drumod, Co. Leitrim. Tel: 028 4461 5779.

Reopens: TBA.

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland

5ft 3in gauge. Whitehead, Co. Antrim. Tel: +44 28 9358 6200.

Museum open: Thurs-Sats.