Narrow gauge railway trains

[Derek Smith]

I went to Amberley today, Saturday 22 July. They have a small narrow gauge railway in the chalk pits. I've got little interest in trains, although I am fascinated by their history. I had nothing else to do, so wandered along.

They had half a dozen or so engines trundling around, most of which were industrial units. They were all over the place, although on rails. I enjoyed my couple of hours. It's there again tomorrow, but with various stands and other entertainments. They said on the website pre-booking only, but there were few there today and I would assume there're vacancies.

Enthusiasts will probably enjoy it.

I'll post a link to my video of my day. It'll be a couple of weeks or so.

Amberley Museum, West Sussex. https://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/

[48k]

Fascinating fact - that narrow gauge railway at Amberley Chalk pits was used as the location for the silicon valley mine train in the Bond film A View to a Kill.

[Wacky Racer]

Glad you enjoyed it, mostly run by dedicated volunteers.

There are probably nearly a hundred narrow gauge railways in England and I reckon I must have been on most of them over they years, but still plenty left to visit.

Some of my favourites:-

Ravenglass to Eskdale

Snowdon mountain railway

Ffestiniog railway

Thompson Park, Burnley

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch (Dungeness is a must see)

Wells and Walsingham light railway

Volks electric railway, Brighton seafront.

Blackpool pleasure Beach

Snaefell mountain railway (IOM)

Vale of Rheidol railway

Fairbourne railway

Southend on sea pier railway.

[ridds]

Here's another I stumbled upon after visiting Beaulieu.

https://www.exbury.co.uk/steam-railway

[Lotobear]

A little known one near me:

https://www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/

[Flying Phil]

In North Devon there is the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. It is based at Woody Bay with just over a mile of running track - but they own quite a lot of the former route, all the major station sites and are wanting to expand.

[ARHarh]

I like this one https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ As from my house its a lovely drive over Snowdonia and down part of the Mach Loop. https://machloop.co.uk/ Nice bit of lunch in the cafe and a stroll down the beach, what more could you want from a day out.

[BrettMRC]

Amberley is a little gem.

I used to display engines there until fairly recently, every year we would help them get the big hot bulbs running.

[Huff]

There's an excellent one in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
https://www.buzzrail.uk/

[zarlak]

Lotobear said:

A little known one near me:

https://www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/

We had a lovely weekend in Alston last year staying at Lowbyer Manor Country House and had a Sunday morning walk alongside the railway line, although there were no trains running.

The B6277 to Barnard Castle makes for some fun driving...

[miniman]

48k said:

Fascinating fact - that narrow gauge railway at Amberley Chalk pits was used as the location for the silicon valley mine train in the Bond film A View to a Kill.

There are a few remnants left. Great place, have been going there for more than 40 years now.

[WelshChris]

I'm reluctant to contribute to this thread for fear of showing total bias

But yes, narrow gauge is fantastic, often with far more character and history than our standard gauge lines.

[Shotgun Jon]

48k said:

Fascinating fact - that narrow gauge railway at Amberley Chalk pits was used as the location for the silicon valley mine train in the Bond film A View to a Kill.

Max Zorin gets everywhere.

[Riley Blue]

Huff said:

There's an excellent one in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
https://www.buzzrail.uk/

In the 1950s my Dad was posted to RAF Masirah as a civilian engineer and found two derelict narrow gauge locomotives that had hauled fuel drums around the island. He managed to repair them both, named them after my twin sisters, and put them back into service.

One of the locomotives is now at Leighton Buzzard.

[GliderRider]

Riley Blue said:

Huff said:

There's an excellent one in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
https://www.buzzrail.uk/

In the 1950s my Dad was posted to RAF Masirah as a civilian engineer and found two derelict narrow gauge locomotives that had hauled fuel drums around the island. He managed to repair them both, named them after my twin sisters, and put them back into service.

One of the locomotives is now at Leighton Buzzard.

Riley Blue, It looks like your Dad did a good job on them as this picture on the net 'RAF Masirah - The State Railway'shows the line still operating in 1970/71. I must show both pictures to a friend of mine. He is now ninety and did his National Service on RAF ground equipment maintenance at RAF Duxford. He now helps with the two foot gauge railway at the Rural Life Centre near Tilford, Surrey. Old Kiln Light Railway at the Rural Life Centre

Another one, in an attractive setting at Stansted Park, Near Rowlands Castle, Hampshire. Stansted Park Light Railway

Edited by GliderRider on Tuesday 25th July 20:39

[Riley Blue]

Thanks for that info GR, especially the link to the photo.

Another from Masirah (that's Dad's Landrover in the background, the one with whitewall tyres)

[Lotobear]

zarlak said:

Lotobear said:

A little known one near me:

https://www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/

We had a lovely weekend in Alston last year staying at Lowbyer Manor Country House and had a Sunday morning walk alongside the railway line, although there were no trains running.

The B6277 to Barnard Castle makes for some fun driving...

It's a cracking area with IMO the best roads in England. Next time stay and eat here, it's superb:

https://theksi.co.uk/

[GreatGranny]

ARHarh said:

I like this one https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ As from my house its a lovely drive over Snowdonia and down part of the Mach Loop. https://machloop.co.uk/ Nice bit of lunch in the cafe and a stroll down the beach, what more could you want from a day out.

My sister and I buy my parents season tickets for Talyllyn every Christmas.

The family have been going there every year since I was about 16 (I'm now 58).

I go occasionally but my parents, sister, nieces and a few Aunties/Uncles and cousins still go regularly.

It was the first preserved railway in the UK dating back to 1950.

We surprised my Dad on his 80th with a footplate experience which he was thrilled about.
The staff and volunteers are a fantastic bunch.

[GliderRider]

If ever you are visiting the Emerald Isle, take time to visit the Stradbally Woodland Railway. I took my narrow gauge enthusiast friend. We phoned them in advance and he was made very welcome. As I recall, even managed a footplate ride or two.

Stradbally Woodland Railway, Stradbally Hall, Co.Laois, Eire

Stradbally Railway History

[W124Bob]

Ever wondered what happens to old Transits

Meter gauge Romanian logging railway, there is a jack operated pivot under the chassis to allow it to be turned.