Tourist and Enthusiast Railways

East of England

Metropolitan tank locomotive No.1 at North Weald
Metropolitan E class 0-4-4T locomotive No.1 at North Weald on the Epping Ongar Railway
Audley End Miniature Railway
Audley End, near Saffron Walden. 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge miniature railway about 1¼ miles (1.9 km) in length. Steam and diesel hauled. Operates daily, mid March to September, and various days in October, November and December.
Barnards Miniature Railway
Barnards Farm, near Billericay. 7¼ inch (184 mm) gauge miniature railway about 1500 yards (1400 m) in length. Steam, petrol or battery electric hauled. Operates 2 or 3 Sundays each month, and a few weekends in November and December. Also operates Thursdays during school holidays; for Thursday visits an admission fee to the Gardens is payable in addition to the train fare.
Barton House Railway
Wroxham. 7¼ inch (184 mm) gauge miniature railway about 500 feet (150 m) in length. Steam or diesel hauled. Operates typically one Sunday each month from May to October.
Basildon Miniature Railway
Wat Tyler Country Park, near Pitsea. Line about ¾ mile (1.2 km) in length. 10¼ in (260 mm) gauge, hauled by steam outline diesel locomotive. Currently closed, planned reopening summer 2025.
Bramley Line
Project, currently in its early stages, to reopen about 1 mile (1.6km) of standard gauge line between Waldersea and Coldham as a heritage railway. A depot has been established at Waldersea, but is currently open to members only.
Bressingham Steam & Gardens
Bressingham (Near Diss). A varied selection of railways in the colourful grounds of Bressingham Gardens. Includes a 2 ft (610 mm) line gauge 2½ miles in length; 15 in (381 mm) gauge over 1¼ miles (2.2 km); and a 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge miniature railway ¾ mile (1.2 km). Almost entirely steam haulage. There is also a standard gauge line, ½ mile (0.8 km) in length, on which occasional demonstration trains operate. Open daily, late March to October, but a limited or no train service operates on some Mondays and Tuesdays.
Bure Valley Railway
Aylsham (near Norwich) to Wroxham: 9 miles (14.4 km). 15 inch (381 mm) gauge. Usually steam hauled. Operates daily, May to October, and a few days in November and December.
Caldecotte Miniature Railway
Milton Keynes. Line about 300 yards (275 m) in length. 5 in (127 mm) / 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Operates Sundays and Bank Holidays, April to October, also for special events and by private hire.
Canvey Railway
Canvey Island. 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway about 1000 yards (915 m) in length. Club line open to the public Sundays, April to early October, and a few days in December.
Chelmsford Society of Model Engineers
Chelmsford. 5 in (127 mm) / 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway about 350 yards (320 m) in length. Club line open to the public Sundays, mid April to early October, and one Sunday in December.
Colne Valley Railway
Castle Hedingham (near Halstead). Line about ½ mile (0.8 km) in length. Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled and diesel railcars. Dining trains operate at certain times. Operates every Sunday and numerous other days, April to October, and a few daya in December. There is also a Miniature Railway at Castle Hedingham about 770 yards (700 m) in length, 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge, steam, petrol, or battery electric hauled.
Cromer Light Railway
Proposed 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway in Cromer.
East Anglia Railway Museum
Chappel & Wakes Colne, adjacent to Greater Anglia station. Steam or diesel hauled trains operate on a short length of line within the museum grounds. Standard gauge. Museum open Wednesdays an weekends during the summer, but trains only operate on certain days. A hand powered trolley may be used on a separate section of line. There is also a Miniature Railway about 200 yards (180m) in length, 5 in (127 mm) / 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge, usually steam hauled.
East Anglia Transport Museum
Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft. Includes 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railway (the East Suffolk Light Railway) 465 yards (425 m) in length, diesel hauled using former industrial equipment; a standard gauge electric tramway 400 yard (360 m) in length; and trolleybuses. Extension to tramway proposed. Open Thursdays, Sundays, and numerous other days, April to October.
East Herts Miniature Railway
Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell, near Ware. 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge railway about 440 yards (400 m) in length. Steam, petrol or battery electric hauled. Operates weekends, Bank Holidays, and various other days throughout the year.
Eaton Park Miniature Railway
Eaton Park, Norwich. Line over ½ mile (1 km) in length. 5 in (127 mm) / 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge, usually steam hauled. Club railway open to the public Sundays and Bank Holidays, April to September.
Epping Ongar Railway
Ongar to Epping Forest, about 5¾ miles (9.4 km). Standard gauge, steam or diesel hauled. A heritage bus provides connections to and from London Underground Epping station and Greater Anglia Shenfield station. Operates weekends, Bank Holidays, and various other days, April to October; Tuesdays to Sundays, mid November to New Year.
Ferry Meadows Miniature Railway
Ferry Meadows, Peterborough. Line about 700 yards (630 m) in length. 10¼ in (260 mm) gauge, steam outline diesel or petrol locomotive. Operates weekends and school holidays, April to September.
Great Whipsnade Railway
Whipsnade Zoo. 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge railway, about 1¾ miles (2.7 km) in length. Steam hauled. An admission fee to the zoo is payable in addition to train fare. Open most days throughout the year (Website contains little information relating to railway)
Gunpowder Railway
2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge railway about 1km in length at the Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey. Diesel hauled using former military locomotoves. Admission fee to the Mills is payable. Operates every Saturday, and two Sundays each month, April to September.
Great Woburn Railway
20 in (508 mm) gauge railway in Woburn Safari Park. Admission fee to the park is payable. Operates daily, mid February to mid November (Website contains little information relating to railway)
Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway
Blythburgh station. Line about 275 yards (250 m) in length, 3 ft (914 mm) gauge, reflecting the gauge of the former Southwold Railway, whose trackbed it follows. Extensions proposed. Steam or battery electric hauled with a replica historic carriage. Operates on a few open days during the course of the year. Another short length of line, currently non-operational, has been installed on the site of the former Southwold Railway engine sheds at Bird’s Folly, Halesworth.
Havering Miniature Railway
Lodge Farm Park, Romford. Line about ½ mile (0.8 km) in length. 37¼ in (184 mm) gauge, steam or diesel hauled. Club railway open to the public one or two Sundays each month from April to October, and a few days in December.
Langford & Beeleigh Railway
Museum of Power, Langford, near Maldon. Line about 440 yards (400 m) in length. 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge, usually steam hauled. Admission to the museum is payable in addition to the train fare. Although the museum is open most days throughout the year, train only run on certain days.
Leighton Buzzard Railway
Page’s Park, Leighton Buzzard to Munday’s Hill: about 3½ miles (5.2 km). Passengers board and alight at Page’s Park or Stonehenge Works. Extension proposed to Double Arches, an additional ¼ mile (800 m). 2 ft (610 mm) gauge. Usually steam hauled. Operates Sundays and some other days, May to early September.
Leiston Works Railway
Standard gauge line under construction next to the Long Shop Museum in Leiston. Not currently operating, demonstration service expected to start soon, passenger rides to follow.
Little Braxted Railway
Braxted Bakery, Witham. 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railway about 330 yards (300 m) in length, diesel hauled using former industrial equipment. Details of operating dates/times can vary at short notice.
Lynnsport Miniature Railway
Alive Lynnsport Leisure Park, King’s Lynn. Line about 200 yards (630 m) in length. 3½ in (89 mm) / 5 in (127 mm) / 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge, steam or battery electric hauled. Club railway open to the public most Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the year, or by private charter.
Mangapps Railway Museum
Mangapps Farm, near Burnham-on-Crouch. Line a little over ¼ mile (0.9 km) in length. Standard gauge. Usually diesel hauled, steam hauled for special events. Operates most weekends throughout the year and for summer school holidays.
Mid-Norfolk Railway
Dereham to Wymondham Abbey, 10½ miles (17 km). Proposed extension from Dereham to County School, a further 6 miles (10 km). Standard gauge. Diesel hauled or diesel railcars, with occasional steam hauled services. Operates Wednesdays, weekends and various other days, April to October, short journeys from Dereham most days mid Novemberto mid December.
Mid-Suffolk Light Railway
Brockford station, Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket. Line about ¼ mile (0.4 km) in length. Extension under construction to Aspall Halt, a further ¼ mile (0.5 km). Standard gauge. Usually steam hauled. Operates Sundays and Bank Holidays, late May to early September, and for special events.
Nene Valley Railway
Peterborough to Wansford: 8 miles (12.8 km). Rolling stock includes vintage material from continental Europe. Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Operates most weekends and various other days, April to October.
North Norfolk Railway
Sheringham to Holt: 5¼ miles (8.4 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Dining trains operate at certain times. Operates daily, Easter to late October.
North Weald and District Miniature Railway
Harlow Garden Centre, Harlow. 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway almost 1 mile (1.6 km) in length. Operates various Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.
Old Mac’s Train Ride
Old Macdonald’s Farm, Brentwood. Line about 200 yards (183 m) in length. Steam outline diesel locomotive. Operates most days when the Park is open. Admission fee to the park is payable.
Playground Parklands Miniature Railway
Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth. 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway. Steam or battery electric hauled. Operates Sundays throughout the year, Tuesdays and Thursdays during school holidays (Website contains little information relating to railway)
Pettitts Animal Adventure Park
Wildlife and theme park at Reedham with a 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge miniature railway about 500 yards (450 m) in length. Steam outline diesel locomotive. Admission fee to the park is payable. Open most days throughout the year (Website contains little information relating to railway)
Pleasurewood Hills
Theme park near Lowestoft with two miniature railways: Admission fee to the park is payable. Open weekends and school holidays, April to September (Website contains little information relating to railways)
Poplar Miniature Railway
Poplar Nurseries, Marks Tey. 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway, about 330 yards (300 m) in length. Steam or battery electric hauled. Operates weekends and school holidays, April until Christmas.
Rex Express
Paradise Wildlife Park, near Broxbourne. Line about 300 yards (270 m) in length. 10¼ in (260 mm) gauge, diesel locomotive with dinosaur head. Admission fee to the park is payable. Open every day except Christmas Day (Website contains little information relating to railway)
Riverside Miniature Railway
Riverside Park, St Neots. Lines about 720 yards (660 m) in length. 5 / 7¼ in (127 / 184 mm) gauge; steam, diesel or battery electric hauled. Club railway open to the public Sundays, Easter to October.
Southend-on-Sea
Southwold Railway Trust
Steamworks, Southwold. Reconstruction of a station on the 3 ft (914 mm) gauge Southwold Railway. There is a 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway, steam or diesel hauled. Site open to the public most Sundays during the summer and various other days throughout the year. The Trust also has a project to restore about 500 yards (450 m) of 3 ft (914 mm) gauge at the site of the former Wenhaston station.
Strumpshaw Steam Museum
Museum at Strumpshaw Old Hall, near Buckenham. 2 ft (610 mm) gauge line, 680 yards (623 m) in length. An admission fee to the museum is payable. Open Sundays and Bank Holidays, mid April to early October (Website contains little information relating to railway)
Sutton Hall Railway
Rochford, near Southend-on-Sea. 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge miniature railway. Steam or diesel hauled. Operates typically one Sunday each month, April to October, a few days in December, and by private charter.
Vanstone Woodland Railway
Vanstone Park Garden Centre, Codicote (near Welwyn). 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge miniature railway, 560 yards (512 m) in length. Diesel hauled. Operates weekends and Bank Holidays throughout the year.
Watford Railway
Cassiobury Park, Watford. 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge miniature railway, about 600 yards (550 m) in length. Steam and diesel hauled. Operates most weekends and school holidays throughout the year.
Wells & Walsingham Light Railway
Wells-next-the-Sea to Walsingham: 4 miles (6.4 km). 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge. Steam hauled. Operates daily, April to October.
Wensum Valley Railway
Miniature railway at County School station, near North Elmham. 3½ in (89 mm)/ 5 in (127 mm), ride astride. Steam, diesel or battery electric hauled. Operates Sundays during school holidays.
Whitwell & Reepham Railway
Whitwell & Reepham station, between the villages of Reepham and Whitwell, about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Norwich. Line about ¼ mile (0.8 km) in length, extensions proposed. Standard gauge, usually steam hauled. Operates one or two Sundays each month, March to October. Also the Top Field Railway, 7¼ in (184 mm) miniature railway about 220 yards (200 m) in length, extensions proposed. Usually steam hauled.
Yaxham Light Railway
private 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railway, about 175 yards (160 m) in length, open to the public for special events and by prior arrangement, located near Yaxham station on the Mid-Norfolk Railway. Steam or diesel hauled.
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Photo image: Epping Ongar Railway