The best heritage railways in England – TOP 10

There are several dozen heritage railways in England. Passengers can travel by vintage trains hauled by old diesel or steam locomotives. Some run only during the summer season on weekends, others several times a year. I have prepared a list of the most popular heritage railways in England.

Bluebell Railway – a heritage railway running between Sheffield Park and Kingscote (13.9 km). During the season, trains run every day, off-season on weekends. A timetable is published on the website. One-way journey takes 30-35 minutes. Trains are usually hauled by steam locomotives.

Bluebell Railway  – official website

East Lancashire Railway – a tourist railway running on weekends throughout the year from Heywood to Rawtenstall and back (19.3 km). One-way journey takes 50 minutes. The trains are comprised of various locomotives and vehicles, including historic railbuses. From April to September, in addition to Saturdays and Sundays, trains also run on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Check the prices on the official website. There is a transport museum at Bury station.

East Lancashire Railway  – official website

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway – vintage trains running between Cheltenham and Laverton. During the round trip, the train covers approximately 35 kilometers and the one-way journey takes an hour. Trains are hauled by steam locomotives, diesel locomotives or historic diesel multiple units. Most trains run only on the Toddington – Cheltenham section. There is also a short narrow gauge railway line in Toddington (approximately 800 meters) – Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway  – official website

Great Central Railway – a double track line operated by heritage trains between Loughborough and Leicester (12.8km) and Loughborough and Ruddington (14.4km). Trains run on weekends and holidays throughout the year and on selected days. Passenger can try their hand at a steam locomotive or a diesel locomotive drier. However, this is not a cheap attraction.

Great Central Railway – official website

Kent & East Sussex Railway – popular vintage trains from Tenterden to Bodiam. The distance between stations is 16.8 km. The railway runs from March to December, from April several times a week, and almost every day in the summer months. You can check the dates in the calendar on the official page. The one-way journey takes 35 minutes. The trains are composed of a historic steam locomotive or diesel locomotive and retro carriages.

Kent & East Sussex Railway  – official website

Middleton Railway – occasional tourist rides in Middleton Park – approximately 3.5 miles from Leeds city centre. The return journey takes about 25 minutes, and the trains travel 1,600 meters in one direction. The railway line was put into operation in 1758, and the first steam locomotive ran on it in 1812. Currently, vintage trains composed of steam locomotives and historic carriages are running on the line.

Middleton Railway  – official website

Nene Valley Railway – vintage trains between Yarwell, Peterborough and Wansford on a 12.8 km route. The rolling stock consists of locomotives and wagons from several European countries, including Norway, Belgium, Sweden and Austria. Most interesting item is Polish TKp 5485 locomotive, manufactured in 1960 in Chrzanów. Trains run mainly on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-March to the end of October. A detailed calendar can be found on the official website. The entire route takes 30 minutes.

Nene Valley Railway  – official website

North Yorkshire Moors Railway – rides between Pickering and Grosmont (29 kilometers). Trains run very often, and the rolling stock is noteworthy. Sometimes trains reach Whitby, a further 10 kilometers away, on a line used by regular trains. The journey from Pickering to Grosmont takes approximately 70 minutes.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway  – official website

Swanage Railway – a tourist railway in Dorset from Wareham to Swanage on a railway line opened in 1885 and closed in 1972. A very picturesque line, close to the ruins of Corfe Castle. Currently, trains comprised of steam locomotives and retro wagons carry passengers on a route approximately 15 kilometers long.

Swanage Railway  – official website

Tanfield Railway – a tourist railway between Andrews House – Sunniside and East Tanfield stations. According to the website, it is the oldest railway line in the world; was built in 1725 for the needs of the horse railway. Trains are usually composed of steam locomotives and retro carriages.

Tanfield Railway  – official website

Wensleydale Railway – vintage train journeys from Leeming Bar to Redmire (29 kilometers). There are also vintage buses from Leeming Bar to Northallerton. Passenger traffic on the line was ceased in the 1950s, but later the line was used to transport goods and by the military. Passenger train services resumed in 2003 as a tourist attraction. There are plans to extend the active section of the line.

Wenleysdale Railway  – official website

Related articles:

Train travel in Great Britain
The best narrow gauge railways in Great Britain

Railways in Europe by country

Heritage railways in England
Swanage Railway (Photo: Enticksnap, dreamstime.com)