British narrow-gauge railways

There were more than a thousand British narrow-gauge railways ranging from large, historically significant common carriers to small, short-lived industrial railways. Many notable events in British railway history happened on narrow-gauge railways including the first use of steam locomotives, the first public railway and the first preserved railway.

Steam locomotive Dolgoch in her first year of preservation service on the Talyllyn Railway, the first volunteer-run heritage railway in the world

History

Early railways: before 1865
The Surrey Iron Railway, one of the earliest public railways

The earliest narrow-gauge railways were crude wooden trackways used in coal mines to guide wooden tubs. Because of the restricted loading gauge of the tunnels and the need for the tubs to be small enough to be pushed by one man, these railways were almost all narrow gauge. These underground lines often had short above-ground sections as well.

After the start of the Industrial Revolution it became possible to create railways with iron tracks and wheels, which reduced the friction involved in moving wagons and made longer horse-hauled trains possible. These could move more material over longer distances, allowing the construction of railways from mines and quarries to transshipment points on rivers, canals and the coast. The earliest narrow-gauge railways that were more than internal mine or quarry systems were all horse-drawn industrial railways. Prominent examples include: the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge Little Eaton Gangway of 1793; the 3 ft 4 3⁄4 in (1,035 mm) gauge Lake Lock Rail Road of 1796; the 2 ft (610 mm) gauge Llandegai Tramway of 1798; and the 4 ft 2 in (1,270 mm) gauge Surrey Iron Railway of 1803. The Lake Lock Rail Road is recognized as the world's first public railway.[1]

Meanwhile, the development of the stationary steam engine was proceeding to the point where early steam locomotives were being proposed. In 1804, Richard Trevithick demonstrated the first locomotive-hauled railway in the world: the 4 ft (1,219 mm) gauge Penydarren Tramway in south Wales. Although this first use of locomotives was a limited and short-lived experiment, in 1812, the 4 ft 1 in (1,245 mm) gauge Middleton Railway in Leeds became the first in the world to make commercial use of steam haulage.

Steam technology developed rapidly in the early 19th century, allowing smaller locomotives to haul more goods. The horse-drawn Ffestiniog Railway opened in 1836 to connect the slate quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog with the coastal port of Porthmadog. The traffic on the line quickly grew to the point where the horses could no longer haul the empty slate wagons back to the quarries quickly enough to meet demand. In 1863, steam locomotives were introduced on the 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) gauge railway, with passenger services following in 1865. This was the first steam operated railway providing both freight and passenger services on such a small gauge and it proved the model for the introduction of narrow-gauge railways across the world.

In 1846, the British Parliament passed the Gauges Act that established 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) as the standard gauge for Britain. After the Gauges Act, most of the railway track laid in Great Britain was to standard gauge. However many minor railways, both public and industrial, were built to narrower gauges. These lines either followed local traditions or were built in locations where the smaller size of the railway proved more economical or was simply necessary due to physical limitations such as bridges and tunnels.

The boom years: 1865–1900
Locomotive Charles of the Penrhyn Railway, seen preserved at Penrhyn Castle Museum

The success of the Ffestiniog Railway triggered a boom in the construction of narrow-gauge railways, not just in Britain but around the world. In the United Kingdom, the centre of narrow gauge construction was North Wales. The mountains of the north held large quantities of slate and their narrow valleys and steep hillsides meant that the smaller narrow-gauge railways were cost effective. The major slate mining regions at Bethesda, Llanberis, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Corris all developed multiple railways to serve the quarries. Some of these lines, like the Ffestiniog Railway, the Corris Railway and the Talyllyn Railway were common carriers, while others like the Penrhyn Quarry Railway and the Padarn Railway were purely industrial lines.

Outside Wales, other industries started to use narrow-gauge railways to move freight, notably ironstone, limestone, china clay, brick clay and metals. Many common carrier lines were built: most of the railways on the Isle of Man were narrow gauge – mostly 3 ft (914 mm) gauge. A number of railways were built to connect standard gauge railways with smaller towns, including the Southwold Railway, the Wolverton and Stony Stratford Tramway and the famous Lynton and Barnstaple Railway in Devon. These lines allowed communities that did not merit a full railway service to connect to the mainline network at low cost.

The 1880s were the high point of British narrow-gauge railways as traffic on many of these lines reached its peak volume and new lines were built across the country.

There were many narrow-gauge lines, as the 1904 Railway Clearing House Railway Atlas shows:

Railway Gauge
East Cornwall Mineral Railway 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) (later converted to
4 ft 8 1⁄2 in or 1,435 mm standard gauge)
Southwold Railway 3 ft (914 mm)
Pentewan Railway 2 ft 6 in (762 mm)
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
Corris Railway 2 ft 3 in (686 mm)
Talyllyn Railway
Croesor Tramway 2 ft (610 mm)
Ffestiniog Railway 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm)
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
Vale of Rheidol Railway
Welsh Highland Railway

Decline of the narrow gauge: 1900–1950
The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway opened in 1903 and included this section running through Welshpool town

In 1896, the Light Railways Act was passed which allowed the construction of railways to less stringent standards than had previously been allowed. This led to a short resurgence in the building of narrow-gauge railways, especially in rural locations. In Wales, the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway was built to serve farming communities; in England the Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway served similar purposes in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

However, rail traffic was declining and the invention of the practical motor car at the turn of the 20th century marked the beginning of the decline of public narrow gauge lines in Britain. Most of these railways were built to serve marginal traffic that would not support a larger line. As road competition increased, many existing lines fell into decline and few new railways were built.

The First World War saw a brief resurgence of the narrow gauge as surplus equipment from the War Department Light Railways (WDLR) became available. Several industrial railways were built using second hand WDLR equipment, notably the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway. Other lines such as the Glyn Valley Tramway and the Snailbeach District Railways were able to replace ageing locomotives relatively cheaply and continue to operate on shoestring budgets. Even the famed Ffestiniog Railway acquired a Baldwin locomotive to shore up the fleet working the Welsh Highland Railway which it now owned.

The last commercial carrier, narrow gauge line in Britain was the Ashover Light Railway, opened in 1925 using surplus war equipment. This was the epitome of cheaply constructed light railways and was one of several minor railways owned by Colonel Stephens.

Meanwhile, the use of narrow-gauge railways in industry continued to flourish. Many small railways were built to serve sand and gravel pits, cement works and the peat and timber extraction industries. Again, these often used rolling stock brought second hand from the WDLR.

However, the continued development of road transport and the economic crises of the 1930s saw a slow decline in the use of narrow-gauge railways across the country. The advent of the Second World War pushed many struggling enterprises into bankruptcy as labour and materials were diverted to the war effort. During and immediately after the war, the majority of the remaining lines closed: between 1946 and 1950 the Ffestiniog, Corris, Ashover Light, Rye and Camber and Eaton Hall railways all closed. Many industrial lines did not survive the war years.

The narrow gauge after 1950
Locomotive Taliesin on the revived Ffestiniog Railway

The use of narrow-gauge railways in Britain declined throughout the first half of the 20th century. This decline accelerated after the Second World War as improved road transport displaced railways in industry and for passenger service.[2]

In 1951 however, a group of railway enthusiasts, alarmed at the loss of this part of British industrial heritage, stepped in to save the failing Talyllyn Railway. This became the first railway to be run entirely by volunteers and sparked a movement to preserve many railways, both narrow and standard gauge as tourist attractions. Since then many lines have been preserved as working museums, and new narrow-gauge railways are being constructed for the tourist industry.

In the 21st century a very few industrial and common carrier lines survive. Notable among the latter are the Glasgow Subway, an underground metro line that operates on a 4 ft (1,219 mm) gauge, and the Manx Electric Railway on the Isle of Man.

Significant lines

Amongst the most well-known narrow gauge lines in Britain are the Ffestiniog, the oldest independent railway company in the world, the Talyllyn, the world's first preserved railway of any gauge, and the Welshpool & Llanfair in Wales; and the Lynton & Barnstaple in England. Unique among British railways is the rack-and-pinion Snowdon Mountain Railway which climbs to just below the summit of Wales' highest peak.

Several significant lines operate on the Isle of Man. The 3 ft (914 mm) gauge Isle of Man Steam Railway operates as a tourist attraction. The 3 ft (914 mm) Manx Electric Railway has the two oldest operating electric trams in the world.[3] The 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge Snaefell Mountain Railway climbs the island's main peak and is the sole operating Fell system railway in the world.

The narrow-gauge railways of Britain and the Isle of Man

Public railways

These are narrow-gauge railways that ran public passenger trains for a significant portion of their existence. In 1951 the Talyllyn Railway was the first railway in the world to be taken over and preserved by volunteers. This was the birth of the heritage railway movement, which has flourished in Britain and around the world in the years since. As a result, many of these lines passed from being common carriers and were preserved as heritage railways after their demise. Where this has happened their heritage existence is included as a second row.

Name Years of operation Gauge Length Location Image Notes
Abbey Light Railway[4] 1978–2012 2 ft (610 mm) 0.75 mi (1.21 km) Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, England From opposite the shopping zone into the Abbey grounds. Industrial diesels, used to run most Sundays in summer. Dismantled in 2013 after death of owner.
Albany Steam Museum Forest Road Light Railway[5] before 1973-unknown 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Newport, England Steam and diesel locomotives on the site of a planned railway. Closed due to lack of planning permission for the site.
Alford and Sutton Tramway[6][7] 1884–1889 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 7 miles (11.3 km) Alford, England Steam-hauled street tramway.
Alford Valley Railway[4] 1979–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.84 miles (1.4 km) Alford, Scotland Built on the old standard gauge branch from Upper Donside to Kintore Junction
Almond Valley Light Railway[8] 1993–present 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 0.25 miles (0.4 km) Livingston, Scotland Short line at a heritage museum featuring diesel locomotives from armaments factories
Ashover Light Railway[9][10] 1925–1950 2 ft (610 mm) 7.5 miles (12.1 km) Clay Cross, England Mineral and passenger line owned by the Clay Cross Company built using ex-WDLR equipment
Bala Lake Railway[4] 1972–present 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 4.5 miles (7.2 km) Llanuwchllyn, Wales Steam-hauled tourist railway built on the trackbed of the standard gauge Morfa Mawddach-Ruabon line.
Birmingham Corporation Tramways 1872-1953 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 80.5 miles (129.6 km) Birmingham A large network of tramways running through Birmingham and the Black Country. Originally steam- and horse- hauled, converted to electricity from 1901
Blists Hill Clay Mine Railway 2009–present 2 ft (610 mm) 235 yards (215 m) Telford, Shropshire Operates at Blists Hill Victorian Town
Brecon Mountain Railway[4] 1980–present 2 ft (610 mm) 5 miles (8 km) Merthyr Tydfil, Wales Steam-hauled tourist railway built on the trackbed of the standard gauge Brecon & Merthyr Railway.
Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway[4] 1975–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.5 miles (0.8 km) Hollingbourne, England A one-half-mile (0.8 km) long private steam railway that holds regular open days
Camborne and Redruth Tramway[11] 1902–1934 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 3.5 miles (5.6 km) Redruth, England Cornwall's only electric tramway. As well as a passenger service, mineral traffic was carried behind electric locomotives.
Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway[12][13] 1877–1932[10] 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) 6 miles (9.7 km) Mull of Kintyre, Scotland Remote line serving coal mines and passengers on the Kintyre peninsula.
Corris Railway 1859–1948 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) 12.25 miles (19.7 km)[10] Machynlleth, Wales Built to carry slate from the Corris district. Closed after flooding of the Afon Dyfi.
1967–present 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) 1 mile (1.6 km) Corris, Wales Heritage railway revival of the Corris Railway. Reopened in 2002.
Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway 1990–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Rowsley South railway station, Peak Rail Private railway at, but separate from, Peak Rail
Devon Railway Centre 1997–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Tiverton, England A tourist railway and locomotive collection.
Fairbourne Railway 1895–1916 2 ft (610 mm) 2 miles (3.2 km) Fairbourne, Wales A horse-drawn tramway carrying building materials for Fairbourne village.
1916-1986 15 in (381 mm) 2 miles (3.2 km) Fairbourne, Wales A minimum gauge railway replacing the horse-drawn tramway, for carrying tourists.
1986-present 12 1⁄4 in (311 mm) 2 miles (3.2 km) Fairbourne, Wales Passenger carrying miniature railway running from Fairbourne village to Penrhyn Point. From 2012 onwards, some 15 in (381 mm) track has been reinstated.
Festiniog and Blaenau Railway[14] 1868–1883 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 3.5 miles (5.6 km) Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales Independent line feeding the Ffestiniog Railway to which it was connected. Converted to a standard gauge branch of the Great Western Railway in 1883.
Ffestiniog Railway[14] 1836[10] -1946 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 13.5 miles (21.7 km) Porthmadog, Wales Built to carry slate from the Blaenau Ffestiniog district to the coast.
1954–present 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 13.5 miles (21.7 km) Porthmadog, Wales Heritage revival of the original company.
Foxdale Railway 1886–1905 3 ft (914 mm) 2.5 miles (4.0 km) Foxdale, Isle of Man Carried lead and silver ore from mines at Foxdale to St John's for onward transport to Ramsey via the Manx Northern Railway who operated the line.
Gartell Light Railway 1990–Present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.75 miles (1.2 km) Yenston, Somerset, England Built partly along the track of the old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.
Glasgow Subway 1896–present 4 ft (1,219 mm) 6.5 miles (10.5 km) Glasgow, Scotland Underground cable-hauled metro line, converted to third rail operation in 1935[15] and modernised 1977–1980. Still in operation as a common carrier.
Glyn Valley Tramway[16] 1873–1935 2 ft 4 1⁄2 in (724 mm) 8.75 miles (14.1 km)[10] Chirk, Wales Carried granite and passengers along the Ceriog Valley, much of the length as a roadside tramway.
Great Bush Railway[4] early 1970s-present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.25 miles (0.4 km) Hadlow Down, England Private Railway running around Tinker's Park
Great Laxey Mine Railway 2004–present 19 in (483 mm) 0.25 miles (0.4 km) Laxey, Isle of Man Replica locomotives running passenger trains on the original trackbed of the Laxey mines railway.
Great Laxey Mine Railway 2004–present 19 in (483 mm) 0.25 miles (0.4 km) Laxey, Isle of Man Replica locomotives running passenger trains on the original trackbed of the Laxey mines railway.
Great Orme Tramway 1902–present 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 1.25 miles (2 km) Llandudno, Wales Cable-hauled tourist railway carrying passengers to the top of the Great Orme headland.
Groudle Glen Railway 1896–1962 2 ft (610 mm) 0.75 miles (1.2 km) Isle of Man Tourist railway along the clifftops at Groudle Glen
1986–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Isle of Man Tourist railway along the clifftops at Groudle Glen
Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway 1916-1945, 2013–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.18 miles (0.3 km) Hampton, London A short line near the site of the original industrial railway serving Hampton Waterworks.
Hayling Seaside Railway 2003–present 2 ft (610 mm) 1.1 miles (1.8 km) Hayling Island Runs along Hayling Island sea front
Herne Bay Pier Railway 1896–1939 3 ft 4 1⁄2 in (1,029 mm) 0.75 miles (1.2 km) Herne Bay, England Pier construction railway that was retained for passenger use.
Hythe Pier Railway[5][17] 1879–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.33 miles (0.53 km) Hythe, England Originally hand operated. Relaid and converted to third rail electric operation in 1922. Forms part of an integrated rail and ferry transport link from Hythe to Southampton.
Isle of Man Steam Railway 1873–present 3 ft (914 mm) 46 miles (74 km) Douglas, Isle of Man An extensive network of lines covering the island. Now reduced to one main line that is principally a steam-hauled tourist railway.
Jersey Railway[16] 1870–1936 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 8.5 miles (13.7 km) Saint Helier, Jersey Passenger and goods services in the island of Jersey.
Lake Lock Rail Road[18] 1798-1846 3 ft 4 3⁄4 in (1,035 mm) Stanley, England Early narrow-gauge railway serving collieries and stone quarries near Wakefield
Launceston Steam Railway[11] 1983–present 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 2.5 miles (4.0 km) Launceston, England Steam-hauled tourist railway built on the trackbed of the standard gauge North Cornwall Railway
Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway 1986–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.75 miles (1.2 km) Leadhills, Scotland Passenger carrying tourist line built on a standard gauge trackbed.
Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway[16][19] 1904–1934 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 8.5 miles (13.7 km)[10] Hulme End, England Agricultural and passenger service for the Manifold valley in the Staffordshire Moorlands
Leighton Buzzard Railway[4] 1968–present 2 ft (610 mm) 3 miles (4.8 km) Leighton Buzzard, England Heritage railway operating over the tracks of the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway[4] 1958–1985, 2009-present 600 mm (1 ft 11 5⁄8 in) 1 mile Humberston, England later Skegness Water Leisure Park, England Tourist line built using ex-Nocton Potato Estate railway equipment at Humberstone. The rolling stock and track were moved to Skegness Water Park, and the railway was reopened in 2009 on the new site.
Little Eaton Gangway[4] 1795-1908 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) and 4 ft (1,219 mm) 5 miles Little Eaton, England One of the earliest iron railways in the world, this narrow-gauge wagonway was built by Benjamin Outram and survived over 100 years hauling coal from Denby to the Erewash Canal.
Llanberis Lake Railway[4] 1972–present 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 2.5 miles (4 km) Llanberis, Wales Tourist railway running along part of the trackbed of the Padarn Railway using equipment from the Dinorwic quarry railway.
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway[20] 1898–1935 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 19.25 miles (31.0 km) Barnstaple, England Carried passengers and general freight for 20 miles (32 km) of rugged countryside around Exmoor, Devon. Part of the line is now being restored as a heritage railway, and reopened to passengers in 2004. The line was extended to just over 1-mile (1.6 km) in May 2006.
2003–present 1 ft 11 5⁄8 in (600 mm) 1 mile (1.6 km) Woody Bay, England Restoration of the Lynton and Barnstaple railway, on the trackbed of the original line
Manx Electric Railway 1893[10] -present 3 ft (914 mm) 17 miles (27 km) Douglas, Isle of Man An electric tramway running from Douglas to Ramsey along the east coast of the Isle of Man.
Manx Northern Railway 1879–1905 3 ft (914 mm) 16.75 miles (27.0 km) Ramsey, Isle of Man Steam railway from St John's to Ramsey on the Isle of Man. Incorporated into the Isle of Man Railway in 1905.
Margam Park Railway 2002-present 2 ft (610 mm) 1.04 miles (1.7 km) Margam Country Park Operates in Margam Country Park, not open in winter.
Middleton Railway 1758-1881 4 ft 1 in (1,245 mm) 0.96 miles (1.5 km) Middleton, England Early railway, that ran the first successful steam locomotives starting in 1812. Converted to standard gauge in 1881, it exists in 2016 as a preserved railway.
North Gloucestershire Railway 1985–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.2 miles (0.32 km) Toddington, England A short railway laid beside the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, replacing the Dowty Railway Society
North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways[14] 1877–1916 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 12.25 miles (19.7 km)[10] Dinas, Wales One of the precursors to the WHR. Carried passengers, slate and general freight.
Perrygrove Railway[5] 1995–present 15 in (381 mm) 1 1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) Royal Forest of Dean, England A steam hauled tourist railway.
Plynlimon and Hafan Tramway[10] 1897–1899 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) 7 miles (11.3 km)[10] Talybont, Wales Short-lived line serving the Hafan stone quarry and Talybont village with a rail link at Llanfihangel (now Llandre).
Portmadoc, Beddgelert and South Snowdon Railway[14] 1901–1908 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) Unknown Porthmadog, Wales An attempt to connect Porthmadog to Beddgelert and the NWNGR. Although it never opened to traffic, much of the trackbed was built and formed part of the WHR.
Radstock Light Railway[21] 1995–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Radstock, England Equipment on the Somerset and Avon Railway Association's site, mostly from the former Vobster Railway.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway[10][16] 1875–1913 3 ft (914 mm) 6.75 miles (10.9 km)[10] Ravenglass, England A line serving the iron ore mines and local passengers in the western Lake District. Closed to passengers in 1908, but freight continued until 1913.
1915–present 15 in (381 mm) 6.75 miles (10.9 km) Ravenglass, England A 15 in (381 mm) minimum gauge railway which is still in operation, with a mixture of steam and diesel locomotives.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway 1927–present 15 in (381 mm) 13.75 miles (22.1 km) Kent, England Running a mixture of steam and diesel trains; mainly operates as a tourist attraction but has also provided local services including secondary school transport, shoppers trains, and freight services including fish and commercial ballast transportation.
Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway 1879–1936 4 ft (1,219 mm),
converted to
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) in 1902		 4.75 miles (7.6 km) Rothesay, Scotland A horse tramway, converted to an electric tramway in 1902.
Rye and Camber Tramway[16][22] 1895–1946 3 ft (914 mm) 2.5 miles (4.0 km) Rye, England Passenger railway serving the seaside resorts and golf courses around Rye.
Seaton Tramway 1969–present 2 ft 9 in (838 mm) 3 miles (4.8 km) Seaton, Devon, England Operates over a former axed British Rail branch line.
Shipley Glen Tramway 1895–present 20 in (508 mm) 0.2 miles (0.3 km) Saltaire, England Rope-hauled inclined tourist railway.
Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway[4][6] 1969–present 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 3.5 miles (5.6 km) Sittingbourne, England Heritage railway founded by the Locomotive Club of Great Britain, operating over part of the Bowater Light Railway.
Snaefell Mountain Railway 1895–present 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 5 miles (8 km) Laxey, Isle of Man Steeply graded electric-powered Fell railway climbing to the summit of Snaefell, the Isle of Man's highest peak.
Snowdon Mountain Railway[14] 1896–present 800 mm (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in) 5 miles (8 km) Llanberis, Wales Britain's only rack railway, built to carry passengers to the top of Wales' highest mountain.
Steep Grade Railway 1897–1909 3 ft (914 mm) Unknown Brighton, England A tourist funicular railway climbing the South Downs.
South Tynedale Railway 1983–present 2 ft (610 mm) 5 miles (8.0 km) Alston, England Steam-hauled line running on part of the trackbed of the standard gauge Newcastle and Carlisle Railway's Haltwhistle to Alston Branch.
Southend Pier Railway[23] 1830–1978 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 1.34 miles (2.2 km) Southend, England Pier construction railway later used for passenger haulage, firstly horse-drawn, then electric.
1986–present 3 ft (914 mm) 1.34 miles (2.2 km) Southend, England Pier railway later using modern diesel-powered stock.
Southport Pier Tramway[24] 1863–2015 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
(1 ft 11 1⁄2 in / 597 mm
between 1950 and 2002)		 0.68 miles (1.1 km) Southport, England Pier tramway, originally built for baggage and later used for passenger haulage. Variously operated by cable, electric, diesel and (currently) battery traction.
Southwold Railway 1879–1929 3 ft (914 mm) 8.75 miles (14.1 km) Southwold, England Steam-hauled line connecting Southwold with Halesworth along the Suffolk coast.
Steeple Grange Light Railway[25] 1988–present 18 in (457 mm) Unknown Wirksworth, England Passenger-hauling minimum gauge railway running on the trackbed of the Killer's Branch of the standard gauge Cromford and High Peak Railway.
Surrey Iron Railway[26] 1802-1846 4 ft 2 in (1,270 mm) 9 miles (14.5 km) Coulsdon, England A a horse-drawn plateway that linked Wandsworth and Croydon via Mitcham, the Surrey Iron Railway was the first public railway in the world, being established by Act of Parliament in 1801.
Talyllyn Railway[10] 1865–present 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) 7.25 miles (11.7 km) Tywyn, Wales Built to carry slate from Bryneglwys quarry to the coast. First heritage railway in the world to be preserved and run by volunteers.
Teifi Valley Railway 1986–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Henllan, Wales A steam-hauled tourist railway on the trackbed of a standard gauge GWR branch to Camarthen.
Torrington and Marland Railway[27] 1880–1971 3 ft (914 mm) 6.25 miles (10.1 km) Torrington, England Built to carry clay from the pits at Marland.
Tunnel Railway Unknown-1965 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Ramsgate, England Steeply graded tourist line running mainly in a tunnel under Ramsgate
Twyford Waterworks[28] Unknown-present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Twyford, England Short industrial narrow-gauge railway line
Vale of Rheidol Railway[10] 1902–present 1 ft 11 3⁄4 in (603 mm) 11.75 miles (18.9 km) Aberystwyth, Wales Originally built to serve the lead mines of the Vale of Rheidol and the tourist trade, now a purely heritage line.
Volks Electric Railway 1883–present 2 ft 8.5 in (826 mm) 1.25 miles (2 km) Brighton, England Britain's first electric railway, running along the beachfront at Brighton.
Welsh Highland Railway[14] 1922–1937 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 22 miles (35 km) Porthmadog, Wales An ambitious but short lived project to create Britain's longest narrow-gauge railway. Now rebuilt.
Welsh Highland Railway 1997–present 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 25 miles (40.2 km) Caernarfon, Wales Restoration of the main line of the Welsh Highland Railway.
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway[4] 1964–present 1 ft 11 5⁄8 in (600 mm) 0.75 miles (1.2 km) Porthmadog, Wales Concentrating on the heritage aspects of the Welsh Highland Railway, including a museum and miniature railway.
Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway[6][29] 1903–1956 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 9 miles (14.5 km)[10] Welshpool, Wales Agricultural and passenger services in the Welsh borders.
1963–present 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 8 miles (12.9 km) Welshpool, Wales Heritage revival of the line.
West Lancashire Light Railway[4] 1966–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.43 miles (0.69 km) Hesketh Bank, England Developed as a private railway, now operating as a tourist line with ex-industrial steam and diesel locomotives.
Wey Valley Light Railway[4][30][31] before 1971–1982 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Farnham, England Passenger-carrying railway run by Farnham District Scouts. Became the Old Kiln Light Railway
Wolverton and Stony Stratford Tramway 1886–1926 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 4.5 miles (7.2 km) Milton Keynes, England Steam-hauled roadside tramway.
Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway 1993–Present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.62 miles (1.0 km) Ashington, England Passenger carrying narrow gauge tourist railway
Yaxham Light Railway[4] 1967–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Yaxham, England Steam-hauled passenger line at the former GER railway station at Yaxham.

Estate railways

Narrow-gauge railways serving private estates. These were often minimum-gauge railways.

Name Years of operation Gauge Length Location Image Notes
Ardkinglas Railway[32] before 1879-early 20th century 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Ardkinglas Estate, Scotland Private estate railway
Dalmunzie Railway[33] 1920–1978 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 2.5 miles (4 km) Dalmunzie Hotel, Scotland Estate railway serving the grouse shooting moors and stone quarry above the hotel
Dodington House Railway ?–1983 2 ft (610 mm) ? Tormarton, England Built as a private line, with the intention to become a tourist attraction. Used two Hudson Hunslet diesel locomotives. Stock went to the Groudle Glen Railway after closure.
Duchal Moor Railway 1922–1970s 2 ft (610 mm) 7 miles (11.3 km) Duchal Moor, Scotland Estate railway serving the grouse shooting moors
Duffield Bank Railway 1874–1916 15 in (381 mm) Unknown Duffield, Derbyshire Private demonstration estate railway built by Sir Arthur Heywood
Eaton Hall Railway[10] 1896–1947 15 in (381 mm) 3.75 miles (6 km) Eaton Hall, Cheshire Estate railway connecting Eaton Hall to the GWR at Balderton partially reconstructed as the Eaton Park Railway
St Michael's Mount Tramway[34] 1912–present 1,372 mm (4 ft 6 in) 200 m (656 ft) St. Michael's Mount, Marazion, Cornwall Funicular used only for freight, linking quay with castle, running mainly in tunnel
Sand Hutton Light Railway[10] 1912–1932 18 in (457 mm) 7 miles (11.3 km) Warthill, England Passenger and general freight line serving the Sand Hutton estate.

Museums

Museums devoted to narrow-gauge railways

Name Opened Closed Gauge Length Location Image Notes
Amberley Working Museum[4] 1979 Present mainly 2 ft (610 mm) 800 yards (732 m) Amberley, England Large industrial museum with extensive narrow-gauge railway collection, mainly from lines in the southeast of England.
Armley Mills Industrial Museum ? Present various 60 yards (55 m) Leeds, England Industrial museum highlighting the industrial heritage of Leeds. Has a significant collection of Leeds-built locomotives and a short demonstration line.
Brockham Museum[4][31] 1962 1983 various ? Dorking, England Large collection of narrow-gauge railway equipment from the south-east of England. The collection moved to the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum
Bursledon Brickworks Museum[5] About 1964[35] November 2019[35] 2 ft (610 mm) ? Bursledon, England Steam-railway run by the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Society.
China Clay Industry Museum[4] ? Present 4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm) ? St Austell, England Static display of ex-Lee Moor tramway locomotive
Conwy Valley Railway Museum[4] 1965 (?) Present Various ? Betws-y-Coed, Wales Small railway museum including a number of narrow gauge artifacts.
Dowty Railway Preservation Society[4] 1962 1985 various ? Tewkesbury, England Society of railway enthusiasts from the Dowty Group of companies with a substantial collection of narrow gauge locomotives. See the North Gloucestershire Railway entry.
Durley Light Railway[5] 1968 2015 2 ft (610 mm) ? Durley, England Collection of steam and diesel locomotives originally located at Stoke Park sand pit from 1962, moved to Durley in 1968 where a railway was established.
Gloddfa Ganol Narrow Gauge Railway Centre[4] 1978 2000 (?) 2 ft (610 mm) ? Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales At one time the largest collection of narrow gauge locomotives in Britain, housed in the former Oakely slate quarry.
Golden Valley Light Railway Late 1980s Present 2 ft (610 mm) Just under 1-mile (1.6 km) Butterley, England Scenic passenger line laid on the old Butterley works tramway, running to Newlands Inn through the country park. Large collection of working narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock housed within a large purpose built shed at the Midland Railway - Butterley.
Herefordshire Waterworks Museum 1982 Present 2 ft (610 mm) ? Hereford, England Short demonstration line.
Hollycombe Steam Collection[4] 1968 Present 2 ft (610 mm) ? Liphook, England Working steam museum
Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum 1980s Present 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) ? Irchester, England Collection of rolling stock from Midlands ironstone railways and a short demonstration line.
Kew Bridge Steam Museum[4][31] 1986 Present 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) 200 yards (183 m) London, England Waterworks museum with a short demonstration line, run since 1992 by the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Society
Klondyke Steam Museum[4] 1981 1982 1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm) ? Draycott-on-the-clay, England A proposed steam museum using the Ffestiniog Railway locomotive Palmerston. Never opened
Llechwedd Slate Caverns[4] 1972 present Various Unknown Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales Passenger carrying railway operated with battery-electric locomotives, mainly underground in the Llechwedd slate mine; separate funicular that takes passengers into deeper portions of the mine also present
Monkton Farleigh Mine Museum[36] before 1987 1990 2 ft (610 mm) ? Bath, England 4wDM locomotive at a mining museum in an abandoned quarry.
Morwellham Open Air Museum[4] ? Present 2 ft (610 mm) ? Tavistock, England Passenger-carrying tourist railway at the museum
Moseley Industrial Narrow Gauge Tramway and Museum Tumblydown Farm railway[11][37] 2001 Present 2 ft (610 mm) 600 yards (549 m) Tolgus Mount, England Part of the original Moseley Tramway collection now relocated to Cornwall.
Moseley Railway Trust[4] 1968 Present mainly 2 ft (610 mm) ? Newcastle-under-Lyme, England A significant collection of industrial locomotives currently in store, but due to re-open at the Apedale Heritage Center in 2006.
Narrow Gauge Railway Museum[4] 1956 Present Various ? Tywyn, Wales Static exhibits at the Talyllyn Railway's Tywyn Wharf station.
North Western Museum of Science and Industry[4] before 1981 Present 3 ft (914 mm) ? Liverpool, England Static exhibit of ex-Isle of Man Railway No. 3 Pender
Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum 1951 Present various ? Bangor, Wales Collection of industrial narrow gauge locomotives and artifacts
Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum[21][38] 2004 Present various ? Norden, England Collection of narrow gauge rolling stock from the Purbeck clay mining industry. A demonstration railway is under construction.
Tolgus Tin Mine Museum[4] ? ? 2 ft 2 in (660 mm) ? Redruth, England Static display of mining locomotive
Welland Valley Vintage Traction Club[4] ? ? 3 ft (914 mm) ? Market Harborough, England Ex-ironstone quarry railway equipment on static exhibition, including Kettering Ironstone Railway No. 8[39]
Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum[4][21] ? 2004 2 ft (610 mm) ? Westonzoyland, England Small industrial museum at restored pumphouse with a short demonstration railway.

Visitor attractions

Narrow-gauge railways that operate as part of a larger tourist attraction, such as an estate or theme park.

Name Years of operation Gauge Length Location Image Notes
Alton Towers Park Railway 1953–1996 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Farley, Staffordshire, England A narrow-gauge railway at the Alton Towers amusement park.
Amerton Railway[40] 1990–present 2 ft (610 mm) 0.5 mi (0.8 km) Amerton, England A steam-hauled passenger line running round the Amerton Working Farm.
Battersea Park Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway[31] 1951–1953 15 in (381 mm) 0.5 mi (0.8 km) Battersea, England A whimsical attraction at the Festival of Britain Pleasure Gardens built to the designs of the Punch cartoonist Emett.
Bicton Woodland Railway 1963–present 18 in (457 mm) Unknown Budleigh Salterton, England A tourist railway running round Bicton Gardens, originally equipped with stock from the Woolwich Arsenal Railway.
Blenheim Palace Railway 1990s?-present 15 in (381 mm) Unknown Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire The line runs between car park and palace, through parkland surrounding the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough. The steam-outline diesel locomotive, built by Alan Keef, is named after Winston Churchill, who was born at Blenheim in 1874.
Bressingham Steam Museum 1970s-present 2 ft (610 mm) 2.5 mi (4 km) Diss, Norfolk Short passenger carrying line around the famous Bloom gardens at Bressingham; part of a larger steam collection.
Camelot Theme Park 1983–1986 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Charnock Richard, England Short tourist line at an amusement park in Lancashire
Chessington World of Adventures Chessington Railroad[31] 1987–1996 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Chessington, England Passenger carrying tourist line in Chessington World of Adventures that was built to replace the 12 in (305 mm) miniature railway Chessington Zoo Railway.
Cotswold Wildlife Park 1970s-present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Burford, England Passenger carrying tourist line around the wildlife park.
Doddington Park Light Railway ?-present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Chipping Sodbury, England A tourist railway in the grounds of Doddington House stately home.
Drusillas Park Railway 1946–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Alfriston, England Short tourist line around an amusement park.
Gardner's Pleasure Resort[31] 1893–1934 Unknown Unknown Riddlesdown, England Early pleasure railway with home-built steam locomotive which survived until 1948.
Knebworth Park and Winter Green Railway 1972–1990 2 ft (610 mm) 1.5 mi (2.4 km) Knebworth, England Steam-hauled passenger line in the grounds of Knebworth House.
Legoland Windsor Hill Train 1991–present 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 300 m (0.2 mi) Windsor, Berkshire, England A funicular. Opened when the park was still known as Windsor Safari Park.
Margam Train[41] ?-present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Margam Country Park, Wales Tourist railway round the Country Park hauled by a steam-outline diesel locomotive.
Old Kiln Light Railway[30][31] 1982–present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Tilford, England Short steam-hauled railway at the Rural Life Centre.
Overstone Solarium Light Railway 1969-? 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Sywell, England A short line running as a tourist attraction round the Overstone Solarium amusement park.
Pleasure Beach Express 1933–present 21 in (533 mm) Unknown Blackpool, England Short tourist line running around the perimeter of the south half of Pleasure Beach Blackpool.
RANG (Royal Arsenal Narrow Gauge) railway 2019 2 ft (610 mm) 180 yd (164.6 m) Crossness Pumping Station, Thamesmead, England The line is part built and working, and is used to transport visitors to the Victorian Pumping Station. Work to extend the line to 350 yd (320 m) is planned for Spring 2020. The train, Bazalgette, is a Severn-Lamb 0-4-0 DH diesel engine.
Seaton Tramway 1971–present 2 ft 9 in (838 mm) 3 mi (4.8 km) Seaton, England Electric tramway using half-scale trams.
Telford Town Tramway[4][42] 1980–mid 1980s, then 1989-present 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Telford, England A steam-hauled tramway in Telford new town, it closed in the mid 1980s and was then moved to the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust, where it continues to run.
Thorpe Park Canada Creek Railway[31] 1989–2011 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Chertsey, England Short tourist line at an amusement park in Surrey. From 1989 to 2006 this train carried guests to and from Thorpe Farm. The railway then had a shortened closed circuit around the Canada Creek area of the park beginning in 2007 until its closure.
Thorpe Park Treasure Island Railway[31] 1984–1992 2 ft (610 mm) Unknown Chertsey, England Short tourist line at an amusement park in Surrey. A small train based attraction around an Island featuring live actors and audience participation loosely based on the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Whipsnade Zoo Great Whipsnade Railway[6] 1970–present 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Unknown Dunstable, England Steam-hauled passenger line running around the grounds of Whipsnade Zoo. Rolling stock came from the Bowater Light Railway.
Woburn Safari Park Great Woburn Railway[43] Unknown–present 20 in (508 mm) Unknown Woburn, England Passenger line running around the grounds of Woburn Safari Park.
Yafford Mill Railway[5] 1994–2000 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) 0.75 mi (1.2 km) Newport, England Short-lived passenger railway using ex-MOD diesel locomotives and stock built by Alan Keef.

Private railways
Main article: List of British private narrow-gauge railways

These are private lines or collections owned by individuals or small groups and generally not open to the public.

Industrial railways
Aberllefenni slate quarry
Main article: British industrial narrow-gauge railways

Great Britain was home to many industrial narrow-gauge railways, ranging from temporary hand-powered lines a few yards long to significant locomotive-worked complexes of lines that served substantial industrial concerns.

Military railways
Main article: British military narrow-gauge railways

Many British military establishments and former UK Government-owned explosives sites used narrow-gauge railways. These locations were often subject to the Official Secrets Act and other government restrictions, so many of them are less well documented.

See also

Notes
  1. Ambler, D.W. (1989). The History and Practice of Britain's Railways: A New Research Agenda. Ashgate.
  2. Dean, Ian (1985). Industrial Narrow Gauge Railways. Shire Publications Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85263-752-4.
  3. Trevor Kneale, Derek Croucher (2001). The Isle of Man. David & Charles. ISBN 9781898630258.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. Crumbleholme, Roger & Kirtland, Terry (1981). steam '81. George Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-0-04-385082-4.
  5. Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Keith (2004). Hampshire Narrow Gauge including the Isle of Wight. Middleton Press. ISBN 978-1-904474-36-4.
  6. "List of 2 ft 6 in gauge railways".
  7. "Alford and Sutton Tramway".
  8. "Almond Valley Light Railway website". Archived from the original on 5 October 2006.
  9. "Ashover Light Railway page". Archived from the original on 20 November 2005.
  10. Whitehouse, Patrick & Snell, John (1984). Narrow Gauge Railways of the British Isles. David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-0196-8.
  11. Dart, Maurice (2005). Cornwall Narrow Gauge including the Camborne & Redruth tramway. Middleton Press. ISBN 978-1-904474-56-2.
  12. Macmillan, Nigel S.C. (1970). The Campbeltown & Machrihanish Light Railway. David & Charles: Newton Abbot. ISBN 978-0-7153-4919-9.
  13. "Campbeltown and Macrihanish page". Archived from the original on 12 March 2007.
  14. Lee, Charles E. (1945). Narrow-Gauge Railways in North Wales. The Railway Publishing Co. Ltd.
  15. "Glasgow Subway facts and figures page". Archived from the original on 29 December 2007.
  16. Kidner, R.W. (1947). English Narrow Gauge Railways (3rd ed.). The Oakwood Press.
  17. "Hythe Pier & Tramway". Simplon Postcards. 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  18. Goodchild, J. (2006), Early Railways 3, Six Martlets Publishing
  19. "Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway history".
  20. "Lynton and Barnstaple history". Archived from the original on 30 April 2007.
  21. Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Keith (2006). Dorset and Somerset Narrow Gauge. Middleton Press. ISBN 978-1-904474-76-0.
  22. "Rye and Camber Tramway information". Archived from the original on 24 November 2005.
  23. "Transport Miscellany article on the Southend Pier Railway".
  24. "History of Southport Pier". National Piers Society. Archived from the original on 19 May 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  25. "Steeple Grange Light Railway".
  26. Dorian Gerhold, 'The rise and fall of the Surrey Iron Railway, 1802-46', Surrey Archaeological Collections, vol. 95 (2010), pp. 193, 195.
  27. Kidner, R.W. (1938). Mineral Railways. The Oakwood Press.
  28. "Twyford Waterworks Trust website".
  29. Cozens, Lewis (1951). The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. Author.
  30. "Wey Valley and Old Kiln light railways". Archived from the original on 16 December 2005.
  31. Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Kevin (2003). Surrey Narrow Gauge including South London. Middleton Press. ISBN 978-1-901706-87-1.
  32. Macmillan, Nigel S.C. (1970). The Campbeltown and Machrihanish Light Railway. David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-4919-9.
  33. "Railscot article".
  34. St Michael's Mount Cliff Railway (unofficial) Website
  35. Holden, Michael (10 December 2019). "Steam locomotive on the move! Hampshire railway set to close". RailAdvent. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  36. Bryant, R.S., ed. (1987). Industrial Locomotives, including preserved and minor railway locomotives. Industrial Railway Society. ISBN 978-0-901096-55-5.
  37. "Tumblydown Farm web site". Archived from the original on 16 June 2004.
  38. "Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum home page".
  39. Quine, Dan (2016). Four East Midlands Ironstone Tramways Part Two: Kettering. 106. Garndolbenmaen: Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review.
  40. "Narrow Gauge Railway Museum page on the Amerton Railway".
  41. "Neath local government page on the Margam Train". Archived from the original on 28 April 2007.
  42. Trevor Rowe, D (1990). Two Feet between the Tracks. Plateway Press. ISBN 978-1-871980-12-7.

References
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