Tourist and Enthusiast Railways

East Midlands

Steeple Grange Light Railway
Steeple Grange Light Railway, approaching the Middleton terminus.
The unusual working of three trains together was part of a special event for Remembrance Day, 2018.
Irregularities in the track are exaggerated by the telephoto lens.
Abbey Pumping Station
Leicester. A 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railway, about 220 yards (200 m) in length. Steam or diesel hauled. Operates a few days each month from May to November.
Ashover Light Railway Society
Project to recreate a part of the 600mm gauge Ashover Light Railway on a site next to the Peak Rail station at Rowsley South.
The Battlefield Line Railway
Shackerstone (near Nuneaton) to Shenton: 4½ miles (7.2 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled and diesel railcars. Operates most weekends and many weekdays from May to early January. The line is named for the Battle of Bosworth Field (1485); a footpath leads from Shenton station to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.
Belton Light Railway
In the grounds of Belton House, near Grantham. 7¼ inch (184mm) gauge miniature railway over ¼ mile (450 m) in length. Operates Thursdays to Sundays when the grounds are open. Admission fee to the grounds or house and grounds is payable in addition to the train fare (Information regarding railway difficult to find on website)
Billing Aquadrome Miniature Railway
Billing Aquadrome, Great Billing, near Northampton. Line about 1000 yards (910 m) in length. 15 inch (381 mm) gauge. Diesel hauled, steam outline locomotive. Free for park residents, otherwise a day admission charge to the park is payable (Website contains no details of railway)
Chesterfield Miniature Railway
Hady Hill. Club railway open to the public on a few weekends during the year.
Conkers Railway
Conkers, Moira, near Swadlincote. 2 foot (610 mm) gauge miniature railway about ⅓ mile (0.5km) in length, connecting the two parts of this park located in the National Forest. Diesel hauled with steam outline locomotive. Operates whenever the park is open. Admission fee to the park is payable.
Corby West Glebe Miniature Railway
5 in (127 mm) gauge ride astride miniature railway about 220 yards (200 m) in length. Club railway occcasionally open to the public.
Crich Tramway Village
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. Standard gauge electric trams (with occasional short workings by horse drawn tram). Open most days mid-March to October and a few days in November and December.
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
Line operated in two separate sections from Wirksworth: Standard gauge. Steam or diesel hauled or diesel railcars. there is also a 7¼ in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway at Wirksworth station.
Evergreens Miniature Railway
Keal Cotes, near Spilsby. Club railway open to the public typically one day each month. 5 inch (127 mm) and 7¼ inch (184 mm) gauge, steam, diesel or battery electric hauled
Glenfield Tunnel Railway
Glenfield Tunnel, access on foot only from County Hall car park LE3 8RA. Not suitable for mobility impaired or children in pushchairs. 7¼ inch (184 mm) gauge railway about 110 yards (100 m) in length in the tunnel of the former Leicester & Swannington Railway. Battery electric hauled. Operates most weekends from May to October. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.
Golden Valley Light Railway
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. Steam or diesel hauled, using former industrial equipment. Operates weekends and many weekdays, March to October.
Great Central Railway
Central station, Loughborough to Leicester North: about 8 miles (12.8 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled, usually with main line locomotives. Operates weekends and many weekdays throughout the year. Dining trains operate at certain times.
Great Central Railway (Nottingham)
Ruddington to Loughborough East Junction: about 9 miles (14.4 km). Standard gauge, usually historic diesel railcar. Operates on just a few days each year. Trains operate the full length of the line on certain of these days, on other days they operate between Ruddington and Rushcliffe Halt. There is also a miniature railway at Ruddington.
Great Central Reunification
Project to connect the Great Central Railway and the Nottingham Heritage Railway into a single 17 mile (27.3 km) main line. A major feature of the development, a new bridge over the Network Rail line at Loughborough, is already in place.
Iron Mouse Express Train
Twinlakes Park near Melton Mowbray. 15 inch (381 mm) gauge railway about ⅔ mile (1 km) in length. Diesel hauled, steam outline locomotive. Operates whenever the park is open. Admission fee to the park is payable.
Kirkby Green Light Railway
Watermill Farm, Kirkby Green, near Lincoln. 10¼ in (260 mm) gauge railway about 1½ miles (2.4 km) in length. Private railway open to visitors on certain days by prior arrangement.
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway
Skegness Water Leisure Park near Ingoldmells. Line almost 1 mile (1.5km) in length. 600mm gauge. Steam or diesel hauled. Operates various days from June to Sptember.
Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
Ludborough to North Thoresby, about 1¾ miles (2.8 km). Extension under construction from Ludborough to Pear Tree Lane, a further ¾ mile (1.2 km). Proposed future extensions northwards to Tetney and southwards to Louth, giving a total length of about 8½ miles (13.7 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Operates most Sundays and a few other days from mid-April to December.
Mablethorpe Miniature Railway
Queens Park, Mablethorpe. Line about 200 yards (180 m) in length. 7¼ inch (184 mm) gauge, petrol hauled with steam outline locomotive. Operates most weekends and a few other days, weather permitting.
Manor Park Miniature Railway
Manor Park, Glossop. Line about 600 yards (520 m) in length. 7¼ inch (184 mm) gauge, petrol, diesel or battery electric hauled. Operates weekends and school holidays throughout the year, weather permitting.
Matlock Boats and Train
Hall Leys Park, Matlock. Miniature railway about 200 yards (180m) in length. 9½ inch (241 mm) gauge. Battery electric hauled. Operates weekends and school holidays, late April to September.
Mountsorrel Railway
Rothley to Mountsorrel (about 1¼ miles, 1.9 km). Standard gauge, usually diesel railcars. Trains operate only few days each year. At the Heritage Centre adjacent to Nunckley Hill station there is a 2 foot (610 mm) gauge railway that includes a 110 yard (100 m) loop on which steam or diesel hauled passenger trains operate; there is also the opportunity to ride on the footplate of a standard gauge diesel locomotive on a short stretch of track within the centre. Centre is open every day, but trains operate only on certain days.
Midland Railway - Butterley
Near Ripley: Hammersmith to Riddings (3 miles, 4.8 km). There are no stations at the ends of the line, passengers board and alight at Butterley or Swanwick Junction. Standard Gauge. Steam and diesel hauled and diesel railcars. Dining trains operate at certain times. Operates weekends and many weekdays, April to September and in December.
Northampton & Lamport Railway
Northamptonshire: Boughton to Merry Tom Crossing (1¾ miles, 2.8 km). Extension proposed to Lamport, a further 5 miles (8 km). Possible future extension towards Northampton, approximately 5 miles (8 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Operates most Sundays and a few other days, mid April to mid August.
Northampton Ironstone Railway Trust
Hunsbury Hill Country Park, Northampton: line about 2¼ miles (3.6 km) in length, of which about 400 yards (370 m) is used for passenger services. Extension of the service line proposed. Standard gauge. Passengers carried in historic brake van, usually diesel hauled, occasionally steam hauled for special events. Operates typically 2 Sundays each month, April to October, and various days in December.
North Ings Farm Museum & Railway
Dorrington. 2 ft (610 mm) gauge line about 600 yards (550 m) in length. Usually diesel hauled, occasionally steam hauled, using former industrial locomotives. Operates one Sunday each month, April to October.
Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton. Line about 300 yards (270 m) in length. 12¼ inch (311 mm) gauge, steam outline diesel locomotive. Operates weekends and school holidays throughout the year, weather permitting.
Peak Rail
Matlock (East Midlands Railway station) to Rowsley South: 4¼ miles (7 km). Standard gauge. Steam and diesel hauled. Dining trains operate at certain times.
Queen’s Park Miniature Railway
Queen’s Park, Chesterfield. Line about 550 yards (500 m) in length. 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge, steam outline diesel locomotive. Operates most days during school holidays.
Rocks by Rail
Cottesmore, near Oakham: line about ½ mile (0.8 km) in length. Extensions proposed. Standard gauge, steam or diesel hauled. Operates most Sundays and a few other days, Easter to October.
Rocky Mountain Railroad
In the Sundown Adventureland theme park near Rampton, Retford. 18 in (457 mm) gauge. Diesel hauled, steam outline locomotive. Open daily, mid-February to Christmas Eve, except for a few weeks in November. Admission fee to the park is payable.
Ropsley Heath Light Railway
near Grantham. 12½ in (317 mm) gauge miniature railway about ½ mile (0.8 km) in length, steam or diesel hauled. Private railway, groups may visit by prior arrangement.
Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway
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 (East Midlands Trains station), a further 3½ miles (5.6 km). Standard gauge. Usually operated by diesel railcars, occasional loco hauled trains. The station and transport museum are open most weekends during the summer although trains only run on certain days.
Sherwood Forest Steam Railway
Edwinstowe. Line about ½ mile (0.8 km) in length. 15 in (381 mm) gauge. Usually steam hauled. Operates every day, mid-February to November.
Springy’s Railroad
Springfields Festival Gardens, Spalding. 7¼ inch (184 mm) gauge miniature railway about 275 yards (250m) in length. Usually steam hauled. Open most days, May to September. Admission fee to the gardens is payable.
Stapleford Miniature Railway
Stapleford, near Melton Mowbray. 10¼ in (260 mm) gauge line almost 2 miles 3 km) in length. Private railway open to the public on a few days each year for special events, also by private charter.
Steeple Grange Light Railway
Steeple House, near Wirksworth, to Middleton by Wirksworth, about ½ mile (0.8 km). A short separate line runs from Steeple House into nearby woodland. Unusual and intriguing small railway operated with former mine and quarry equipment. 18 inch (457 mm) gauge. Diesel and battery electric hauled. Operates Sundays from April to September, weather permitting.
Wicksteed Park Railway
Wicksteed Park, near Kettering. Line about 1¼ miles (2 km) in length. 2 ft (610 mm) gauge, steam outline diesel locomotives. Operates weekends, April to October.
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