This is a list of heritage, private and preserved railways throughout the United Kingdom, the Crown dependencies, and British Overseas Territories whether operational or closed, that are operated for charitable purposes or shareholder profit. Some also provide economic local transport. For rail museums, see List of British railway museums.
Many of the standard-gauge railways listed, including former branch lines and ex-mainline routes, were closed by British Railways under the Beeching Axe of the 1960s. Most have been restored and operate as heritage lines. A smaller number of lines were formerly industrial or colliery railways.
Many of these preserved railways are mentioned in national and international tour guides, and visits may form part of a school curriculum or feature in other studies, including civil engineering, mechanics, social, economic and political history, visual arts and drama.[citation needed]
This list also includes tramways. Nearly all tram services in Britain ended in the 1950s and early 1960s, leaving just Blackpool Corporation Tramways, although some big cities have since revived them in the late 20th century onwards.
This is a list of former heritage railway attractions that are sadly defunct.
See List of heritage railways in Northern Ireland
Name | Type | Gauge | Length | Opened | Closed | Re-Opened | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Llangollen Railway | Heritage railway | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | 16km | 1862 | 1964 | 1981 | |
Conwy Valley Railway Museum | Museum and miniature railway | 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) | 1.6km | 1970s | Has a 0.8km long 15 in (381 mm) gauge tramway | ||
Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum | Museum | N/A | 0km | 1951 | |||
Bala Lake Railway | Heritage railway | 1 ft 11+5⁄8 in (600 mm) | 7.2km | 1861 | 1965 | 1972 | Originally standard gauge line |
Ffestiniog Railway | Heritage railway | 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) | 21.7km | 1836 | 1946 | 1954 | Also owns and operates the Welsh Highland Railway |
Llanberis Lake Railway | Heritage railway | 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) | 4km | 1971 | |||
Snowdon Mountain Railway | Tourist railway | 2 ft 7+1⁄2 in (800 mm) | 7.5km | 1896 | |||
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway | Heritage railway | 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) | 1.6km | 1980 | |||
Welsh Highland Railway | Heritage railway | 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) | 40.2km | 1922 | 1937 | 1997 | Owned and operated by the Ffestiniog Railway |
Fairbourne Railway | Miniature railway | 12+1⁄4 in (311 mm) | 3.2km | 1895 | 1940 | 1947 | Previously 2 ft (610 mm) and 15 in (381 mm) |
Rhyl Miniature Railway | Miniature railway | 15 in (381 mm) | 1.6km | 1911 | |||
West Shore Miniature Railway | Miniature railway | 2018 | |||||
Great Orme Tramway | Tramway | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) | 1902 | ||||
Glyn Valley Tramway | Tramway | 2 ft 4+1⁄2 in (724 mm) | 0km | 1873 | 1935 | c. 2022[citation needed] |
Name | Type | Gauge | Length | Opened | Closed | Re-Opened | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Corris Railway | Heritage railway | 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) | 1.17km | 1859 | 1948 | 1971 | |
Talyllyn Railway | Heritage railway | 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) | 11.67km | 1865 | Includes Narrow Gauge Railway Museum | ||
Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway | Heritage railway | 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) | 13.7km | 1903 | 1956 | 1963 | |
Vale of Rheidol Railway | Heritage railway | 1 ft 11+3⁄4 in (603 mm) | 18.91km | 1902 | |||
Rhiw Valley Light Railway | Miniature railway | 15 in (381 mm) | 1.265km | 1970 |
Name | Type | Gauge | Length | Opened | Closed | Re-Opened | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barry Tourist Railway | Tourist Railway | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | 2.4km | 1885 | 1976 | 1994 | |
Gwili Railway | Heritage railway | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | 7.24km | 1860 | 1973 | 1978 | |
Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway | Heritage railway | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | 0.4km[9] | 1801 | 1989 | 2017 | |
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway | Heritage railway | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | 5.6km | 1866 | 1941 | 1983 | |
Brecon Mountain Railway | Tourist Railway | 1 ft 11+3⁄4 in (603 mm) | 8km | 1980 | |||
Margam Park Railway | 1 ft 11+3⁄4 in (603 mm)[10] | c. 2011[11] | |||||
Teifi Valley Railway | 2 ft (610 mm) | 1km | 1986 | Closed 2014 and much of the track lifted. Reopened 2016 | |||
Cefn Mably Farm Park Railway Attraction | Miniature railway | 12+1⁄4 in (311 mm) | c. 2020[12] | ||||
Heath Park Electric Tramway | 18 in (457 mm) | 0.2km | |||||
Garw Valley Railway | Heritage railway | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | 8km | 1876 | 1997 | c. 2001 |
Name | Type | Gauge | Length | Opened | Closed | Re-Opened | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway | Tramway | 3 ft (914 mm) | 2.6km | 1876 | 1939 | 1946 | |
Great Laxey Mine Railway | Heritage railway | 19 in (483 mm) | 0.4km | 1870s | 1929 | 2004 | |
Groudle Glen Railway | Heritage railway | 2 ft (610 mm) | 0.9km | 1896 | 1962 | 1982 | |
Isle of Man Railway | Nationalised railway | 3 ft (914 mm) | 25km | 1874 | Current line opened in 1974, however the company's first, now defunct line opened in 1973. | ||
Manx Electric Railway | Nationalised railway | 3 ft (914 mm) | 27km | 1893 | |||
Snaefell Mountain Railway | Nationalised railway | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) | 8.9km | 1895 | |||
Crogga Valley Railway | Miniature railway | 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) | 0.41km | ||||
Orchid Line | Miniature railway | Multiple gauges |
See Rail transport in the Isle of Man.
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