Long term project to reopen a part of the 600mm gauge Ashover Light
Railway. The proposed line would run from a new terminus near Ogston
Reservoir (which covers part of the original trackbed) to Ashover
Butts, about 2½ miles (4 km).
Shackerstone (near Nuneaton) to Shenton: 4½ miles (7.2 km).
Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled and diesel railcars. The
line is named for the Battle of Bosworth Field (1485); Bosworth Field
is adjacent to Shenton station.
Belton Light Railway
In the grounds of Belton House, near Grantham.
7¼ inch (184mm) gauge miniature railway over ¼ mile (450 m) in length.
(No website located at present)
Chesterfield Miniature Railway
Queens Park, Chesterfield. 18 inch (457 mm) gauge line circling
the boating lake. Diesel hauled with steam outline locomotive
(No website located at present)
Conkers Railway
Conkers,
Moira, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
A miniature railway connects the two parts of this park located in the
National Forest. Diesel hauled with steam outline locomotive
(Website includes little information relating to the railway)
From the Peak Rail station at Rowsley South, line about ¼ mile
(0.4 km) in length, with proposed extension of a further ¼ mile
(0.4 km). 2 foot (610 mm) gauge. Diesel hauled, using former
industrial equipment.
Line operated in two separate sections from Wirksworth:
to Idridgehay, about 3¼ miles (5.4 km). Extension planned
in stages to Duffield, a further 5 miles (8.0 km)
to Ravenstor (for the National Stone Centre): ¾ mile (1.2 km),
including the steepest adhesion worked gradient on a passenger
carrying railway in the UK
From the Midland Railway Centre station at Swanwick Junction
(near Ripley) to Newlands Inn in the Golden Valley Country Park
(⅓ mile, 0.5 km). 2 ft (610 mm) gauge. Diesel hauled, using former
industrial equipment.
Central station, Loughborough to Leicester North: about 8 miles
(12.8 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled, usually with main
line locomotives. Dining trains operate at certain times.
Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Ruddington to Loughborough
(5½ miles, 8.9km). There is no station at Loughborough, passengers may
not board or alight. Trains run the full length of the line on certain
days only, on other operating days they terminate at Rushcliffe Halt,
about ¾ mile (1 km) from Ruddington. Standard gauge, steam or diesel
hauled. Possible future link to the Great Central Railway (Loughborough),
allowing through running between the two railways. This would require
a new bridge over the Network Rail line at Loughborough and must be
considered a long term proposition.
Skegness Water Leisure Park near Ingoldmells.
Line almost 1 mile (1.5km) in length. 600mm gauge line. Diesel
hauled, with a steam locomotive in the course of restoration.
Ludborough to North Thoresby, about 2 miles (3.2 km). Possible
future extensions northwards to Waltham and southwards to Louth, giving
a total length of about 9 miles (14.5 km). Standard gauge. Steam and
diesel hauled.
Swanwick Junction (near Ripley) to Hammersmith via Butterley
(3½ miles, 5.6 km). Standard Gauge. Steam and diesel hauled and
diesel railcars. Dining trains operate at certain
times.
Crich. This is a working museum where you can take a tram ride
from a recreated Victorian town street into the countryside on a
Derbyshire hilltop. Line about 1 mile (1.6 km) in length. Highly
recommended. Standard gauge electric trams (with occasional short
workings by horse drawn tram!).
Pitsford & Brampton station (near Northampton): line about
¾ mile (1.2 km) in length. Extensions under construction northwards
to Lamport and southwards to Boughton Crossing, a total distance of
6½ miles (14.5 km). Possible future extension to Northampton (about
5 miles, 8 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled.
Hunsbury Hill Country Park, Northampton: line about 2¼ miles
(3.6 km) in length, although only part of the line is presently in
use. Open to the public on a few days each year, mainly holidays.
Standard gauge. Usually diesel hauled.
Rushden: line about ¼ mile (0.4 km) in length. Proposed extension to
Higham Ferrers, a further ¾ mile (1.2km). Possible future extension
to Wellingborough (Midland Mainline station), a further 3½ miles
(5.6 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. The museum is open
most weekends during the summer although trains only operate on certain
days.
Cottesmore, near Oakham: line about ½ mile (0.8 km) in length.
Extensions proposed. Standard gauge, diesel hauled. Operates typically
one or two Sundays each month and some Saturdays.
Riverside station, Matlock to Rowsley South: 4 miles (6.4 km).
Extension proposed to Matlock (Network Rail station), a little over
¼ mile (0.6 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Dining
trains operate at certain times.
Steeple House, near Wirksworth. Public access on foot only from
the High Peak Trail (trackbed of the former Cromford & High Peak
Railway), nearest car parking at the National Stone Centre or at
Black Rocks (each about 5 minutes walk). Line about ½ mile (0.8 km)
in length, extensions proposed. Unusual and intriguing small railway
operated with former mine and quarry equipment. 18 inch (457 mm)
gauge. Diesel and battery electric hauled.
2 ft (605 mm) gauge miniature railway, 1¼ miles (2 km) in length,
located in a Theme Park near Kettering. Diesel hauled with steam
outline locomotives.
