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11 heritage railways you’ll want to visit

I’ve picked 11 heritage railways that I have visited and I can recommend. I think they all make for a great day out and I’ve highlighted what I think is special about each railway. Let me know which railways you have visited and what you think is the best feature of the railway.

Note: in my original list I had 10 railways but my lovely Twitter followers pointed out I had missed out the West Somerset Railway. I must have had a ‘senior moment’ as we used this railway last Summer when we were on holiday. My apologies to the WSR whom I hope will forgive me and thus the list totals 11 !!

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11 heritage railways you'll want to visit

Listly by railwayblogger.com

I have picked 11 heritage railways that I have personally visited. I live in 'deepest darkest Devon' so this means the railways I visit tend to be based more in Southern England. I hope to get further afield in the next few years.

1

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Jan 12, 2017 - nymr.co.uk - 246
North Yorkshire Moors Railway

With its gradients and curves you can really experience steam locomotives working hard through the beautiful moorlands of North Yorkshire.

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Great Central Railway

Jan 12, 2017 - gcrailway.co.uk - 824
Great Central Railway

The Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails.

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3

Severn Valley Railway

Feb 26, 2017 - svr.co.uk - 243
Severn Valley Railway

The Severn Valley Railway is where I had my stag weekend over 20 years ago so will always be one of my favourite heritage railways notwithstanding the marvelous work by enthusiasts to recreate the steam era there.

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4

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Jan 12, 2017 - kwvr.co.uk - 304
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Deep in Bronte country this immaculate branch line with its variety of locomotives and carriages is enthusiasts favourite. The carriages have been very well restored making for great photographs and a very comfortable journey.

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5

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Feb 26, 2017 - gwsr.com - 361
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

I first visited this railway in the early 1980's when there was hardly any track so to visit it today is a testament to the fantastic efforts of railway enthusiasts.

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6

West Somerset Railway

Feb 26, 2017 - west-somerset-railway.co.uk - 197
West Somerset Railway

I can't believe that I missed out the WSR in my original list - the longest heritage railway in England. We used this railway to go on holiday last year as it finishes at the lovely Minehead. I particularly enjoyed the great bookshop they have on the platform at Minehead. I'm adding it to the list now making 11 Heritage railways instead of 10! Sorry WSR but hope I'm forgiven!

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7

Somerset & Dorset Railway Joint Railway

Jan 12, 2017 - sdjr.co.uk - 229
Somerset & Dorset Railway Joint Railway

A short heritage railway run by volunteers in the foothills of the Mendips in North Somerset. They run trains about once a month on this iconic line. There is a gift and bookshop, museum, buffet coach, wartime pillbox museum, signalbox and much more to see.

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8

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Jan 12, 2017 - dartmouthrailriver.co.uk - 190
Dartmouth Steam Railway

Stunning views from this heritage railway combined with the chance to ride in an observation car make this a fantastic day out. Starting the journey at Paignton (where you can connect with mainline trains) you have views of lovely beaches. After passing through the Greenway tunnel, you see the glorious sight of Dartmouth in the distance. The train actually arrives at Kingswear and you then catch the ferry over to the historic Dartmouth if you wish. Dartmouth has the only railway station in the country that has never had track or trains!

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9

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways | Attractions in North Wales

Jan 12, 2017 - festrail.co.uk - 103
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways | Attractions in North Wales

At Blaneau Ffestiniog you get two railways for the price of one with a trip to Potmadoc through stunning Welsh scenery and the superb Welsh Highland railway.

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10

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Jan 12, 2017 - iwsteamrailway.co.uk - 88
Isle of Wight Steam Railway

One of the many things I like about the isle of Wight railway are the vintage carriages that you can travel in as for me these bring back memories of childhood holidays on the island.

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11

Bodmin Railway

Jan 12, 2017 - bodminrailway.co.uk - 160
Bodmin Railway

The climb from Bodmin Parkway station where you can inter-connect with GWR services certainly challenges a locomotive as the route climbs towards Bodmin general station and is a firm favourite.

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Find out why I think Dr Beeching should be thanked for the Heritage Railways we enjoy today

Read about my visit to the Bath Railway Society

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Comments

  1. Alana - Burnished Chaos says

    1 March, 2017 at 6:49 am

    These look great. I keep meaning to go on the North Yorkshire Moors one x
    #TuesdayTreasures

    Reply
  2. angiemwebster77 says

    1 March, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    All of these sound fantastic. I’m hoping to take the children to Ffestiniog in Summer when we go on holiday. Thank you for linking up with #TuesdayTreasures

    Reply
  3. Alastair Majury says

    12 July, 2017 at 2:21 am

    Thanks for sharing, they all seem like great lines to visit.
    #WednesdayWonders

    Reply
  4. Gazzer says

    10 August, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    You’ve missed Swanage. Is it number 12?

    Reply
    • railwayblogger says

      31 August, 2017 at 9:57 pm

      The Swanage line was always my Dads favourite because for him it was the perfect branch line. So yes it is got to be number 12!

      Reply
  5. Ken says

    27 November, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    Before you profess to be an adviser on heritage railways, it would have been wise for you to have researched these. You have left to the swanage line, the bluebell line, the Dean forest line, the gwily line….do I need to go on,

    Reply
    • railwayblogger says

      28 November, 2017 at 7:43 am

      This is not a comprehensive list of heritage railways as you have pointed out. I have only included those I have actually visited myself. Having said that, I would now include the Swanage Railway as I have mentioned in the comment above.

      Reply

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