Lavender Line (Isfield, near Uckfield, East Sussex) (1 mile long)
http://www.lavender-line.co.uk/
My Photographs (2009)

Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line)  (New Alresford, Hampshire) (10 miles long)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
My Photographs (2009)

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway (Paignton, Devon) (7 miles long)
http://www.paignton-steamrailway.co.uk/

Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway (Blaenavon, Pontypool, Torfaen) (1¾ miles long)
http://www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/

South Devon Railway (Totnes, Devon) (7 miles long)
http://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/

Spa Valley Railway (Tunbridge Wells, Kent) (3 miles long)
http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/
My Photographs (2009)

Operating Steam & Diesel Railways (narrow gauge) (See Note 1)

Brecon Mountain Railway (2 foot gauge) (Merthyr Tydfil) (3½ miles long)
http://www.breconmountainrailway.co.uk/

Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway (2 foot gauge) (near Sittingborne, Kent) ( ½ mile long)
http://www.bwlr.co.uk/

Devon Railway Centre (2 foot gauge) (Bickleigh, near Tiverton, Devon) (½ mile long)
Also features a miniature railway (7¼ inch gauge, ½ mile long; and a standard gauge display at Bickleigh Station)
http://www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk/

Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway (7¼ inch gauge) (East Sussex) (¾ mile long)
http://www.emsr.co.uk/

Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway (dual 10¼ inch and 7¼ inch gauge) (Eastleigh, Hampshire) (1¼ miles long)
http://www.steamtrain.co.uk/

Evesham Vale Light Railway (15 inch gauge) (Twyford, Evesham, Worcs) (just over 1 mile long)
http://www.evlr.co.uk/

Exbury Gardens Steam Railway (Exbury Gardens, near Fawley, Hampshire) (12¼ inch gauge) (1¼ mile circular route)
http://www.exbury.co.uk/
My Photographs (2009)

Faversham Miniature Railway (9 inch gauge) (Faversham, Kent) (¼ mile long)
http://www.favershamminiaturerailway.co.uk/

Great Cockcrow Railway (7¼ inch gauge) (Chertsey, Surrey) (2 miles long)
http://www.cockcrow.co.uk/

Lappa Valley Steam Railway (15", 10¼" and 7¼" gauges) (Near Newquay, Cornwall) (1 mile long)
http://www.lappavalley.co.uk/

Moors Valley Railway (7¼ inch gauge) (near Ferndown, East Dorset) (1 mile long)
http://www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk/
My Photographs (2008)

Hollycombe Steam in the Country (Liphook, Hampshire)
Features steam of all kinds (traction engines, fairground etc), as well as railways.
Features a standard gauge railway (one third of a mile);  a narrow gauge railway (2 foot gauge - 1½ miles);  and a miniature railway (7¼ inch gauge - one third of a mile loop).
http://www.hollycombe.co.uk/

Kew Bridge Steam Museum (Kew Bridge, West London)
Exhibiting steam-powered water pumping engines from the 19th century, and the history of water distribution in London.
Includes a 2-foot gauge short line with a loco owned by the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust, running on Sundays except in winter.
http://www.kbsm.org/

Seaton Tramway (Seaton, South Devon) (Gauge: 2 feet, 9 inches) (3½ miles long)
http://www.tram.co.uk/
My Photographs (1985)

Underground Railways and DLR

Electrifying London
History of London's (electric) Underground Railways.
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~gsgleaves/london1.htm

History of London Tube Maps (London Underground)
Scans of the tube maps issued from 1889 to 2002, with written details of changes on each edition.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/clivebillson/tube/tube.html

Clive's Underground Line Guides (London Underground)
Detailed history of each line of the London Underground with route diagrams and other information.
http://www.davros.org/rail/culg/

London Railways.net
Useful, and detailed history of aspects of the London Underground.
http://www.londonrailways.net/

Braughing Station (Hertfordshire)
Now a fully restored private home.
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/stations/gallery/braughing.html
My Photographs (1973)

Hockley Viaduct (Hampshire)
Built for the former Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway.  Now owned by Winchester City Council, and open as a public footpath.
http://www.cityofwinchester.co.uk/history/html/viaduct.html
My Photographs (2011)

Holmsley Station (Hampshire)
This station on the Brokenhurst to Wimborne Line ("Castleman's Corkscrew") is now a restaurant and tea room, with pleasant outside areas for the better weather.
http://www.newforesttearooms.co.uk/history-station-house-burley-new-forest.htm

Horsebridge Station (Hampshire)
Station on the former Andover to Southampton line, now a private residence and Tea Room.  Open for teas on selected summer days. See website for details.
Station is preserved in excellent condition, with a former LSWR carriage at the platform.
http://www.horsebridgestation.co.uk
My Photographs (2010)

Romsey Signal Box Project (Hampshire)
Moved from its original site, this working box, with signals and a short line, now occupies an area a few hundred yards away at Romsey.
It is owned an operated by a group of volunteers, and is open for demonstrations on the first Sunday of every month.
http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk/
My Photographs (2010)

Shillingstone Station Preservation Project (Dorset)
Currently undergoing restoration by a local trust.  Open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
http://www.shillingstone.addr.com/
My Photographs (2008, 2010)  

Tintern Station (near Chepstow, Monmouthshire)
Now part of a recreation area, with a restaurant in the station building, an art gallery in the signal box, and with two carriages used as information and activity centres.  Owned by Monmouthshire Council.
http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/tintern.html (Many old photos of the station)
http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/Monmouth/English/Environment_and_Planning/Countryside/Explore_the_Countryside/Sites/Old+Station+Tintern.htm
My Photographs (2008)

West Bay Station (Dorset).  
Now a café.
Photo and some history:  http://www.westbay.co.uk/bridport/railway.html
My Photographs (2011)

 

Individual Locomotives or Locomotive Types (also EMUs & DMUs)

Bulleid Society
Owns and restores Bulleid locomotives which are kept on the Bluebell Railway.
http://www.locos-in-profile.co.uk/Bulleid_Society/index.html

Class 56 Group
Group dedicated to the preservation of Class 56 diesel locomotives, fully withdrawn in 2004.
http://www.class56group.co.uk/

Class 442 ("Wessex" EMU)
Celebrating the Waterloo/Weymouth EMUs 1988-2007
http://www.class442.co.uk/

Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited
Owners and restorers of locos 7820 and 3850 on the West Somerset Railway.
http://www.dinmoremanor.co.uk/

Electro-Diesel Locomotive Group
Dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of Class 73 Electro Diesel E6003 "Sir Herbert Walker".
The locomotive is currently on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
http://www.edlg.co.uk/
My Photographs

EPB Preservation Group (Electric Multiple Units) (operating on the East Kent Railway)
This group actively restores and operates ex-Southern electric multiple units on the East Kent Railway.
http://www.epbpg.co.uk/

Maunsell Locomotive Society
Estabished to restore steam engines that were designed by Richard Maunsell of the Southern Railway.  Their restored locos are kept on the Bluebell Railway.
http://www.maunsell.org/

Preserved Diesels
Comprehensive website about diesel locomotives owned by preservation groups in the UK.
http://preserved-diesels.co.uk/

South Devon Diesel Traction
Organisation formed to preserve, operate & hire out ex B.R. Diesel locomotives, based on the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh, Devon.
http://www.sddt.co.uk/

Southern Electric Group
Organisation for enthusiasts, historians, modellers and preservationists of the largest third rail electric railway system in the world.
http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/

 

Closed Railway Companies & Routes

Buntingford Branch Line (Hertfordshire)
"The Bunt" is a society dedicated to the history of the Buntingford Line, itself known by locals as "The Bunt".
http://www.thebunt.co.uk/

Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
History of this link line between the GWR and LSWR in Oxfordshire and Hampshire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didcot,_Newbury_and_Southampton_Railway

Ringwood to Christchurch Branch (Hampshire)
Useful information about this line which was an early branch line casualty, lasting just 73 years from 1862 to 1935.
http://www.users.waitrose.com/~rod99/pages/rail/ringwood-christchurch.htm

Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway
Comprehensive photo library of the S&DJR infrastructure since closure of the line.
http://www.nevard.com/sdjr/

Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway
Historical website, with route diagrams and photos, run by Kevin Clapcott.
http://www.sdjr.net/

Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust (Washford, Somerset - on the WSR)
The Trust is dedicated to keeping the spirit of the S&D alive with its extensive Museum and facilities at Washford on the West Somerset Railway.
http://www.sdrt.org.uk/

Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway
Comprehensive site giving full details of this former Somerset railway, with many photos, past and present.
http://www.wcandpr.org.uk/

Weymouth Quay Branch Line
Information about this railway line through the streets of Weymouth, which was in use until the 1980s.
http://www.gearwheelsmag.co.uk/features/weymouthquayrailway.htm
My Photographs (1985) 

 

Closed Railway Stations

Closed Stations
A collection of private photographs from the 1980s to the present of closed stations and lines.
http://www.disusedrailways.co.uk/Closed%20Stations1.htm

Disused Stations
Details of more than 1000 closed stations, including photos.
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/

 

Closed Underground Railway Stations

London's Abandoned Tube Stations
Details of all closed tube stations with many photographs
http://www.abandonedstations.org.uk/

Underground History
Comprehensive review of all closed London tube stations with photographs
http://underground-history.co.uk/front.php

 

Railway History (Lines Open or Closed)

Forgotten Relics
Celebrating the great achievements in railway construction - viaducts, tunnels, etc. (Most items seem to be in the north, but some southern constructions are covered).
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/

The Railway Archive
Free online archive of documents charting the development of Britain's railways
http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/

 

Trailways along former Railway Tracks

Railway Ramblers
Organisation which arranges walks along disused railway lines and other historical transport routes.
http://www.railwayramblers.org.uk

Castleman Trail - Brockenhurst to Hamworthy (Hampshire/Dorset)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ron.strutt/rrcor2.html

Hayling Billy Trail (Hayling Island, Hampshire)
Footpath along the former Hayling Island Railway Line.
http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-2646

Rodwell Trail (Weymouth, Dorset)
http://website.lineone.net/~wendyedwards/rodwelltrailcont.html

Strawberry Line (North Somerset)
http://www.thestrawberryline.co.uk/d/147/Yatton_to_Cheddar.html

Tarka Trail (North Devon)
Extensive foot and cycle path along  former railway lines of North Devon.
http://www.devon.gov.uk/tarkatrail.htm

 

Planned New Railways

Cross Rail (Berkshire-London-Essex)
The route will go from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west across the capital into Essex and Kent in the east.
It will travel underground through the city centre between Paddington and east London in newly-constructed tunnels.
http://www.crossrail.co.uk/

East London Line Extension
Brief information about the former Underground line that is being extended north and south.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2105.aspx

High Speed Rail TWO
Proposed High Speed line from London to Birmingham.
http://www.hs2.org.uk/

 

Railway Clubs & Societies

Broad Gauge Society
Formed 1980 to promote research into, and the modelling of, the 7' 0¼" Broad Gauge Railways of Great Britain.
http://www.broadgauge.org.uk/

Engine Shed Society
Founded in 1986 for the study of British locomotive sheds and depots, both extinct and existing.
http://www.abrail.co.uk/ess.htm

Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust
http://www.hngrt.org.uk/

London Underground Railway Society
The LURS exists to study all aspects of London's underground railways - past, present and future.
http://www.lurs.org.uk/

Rother Valley Railway
Plans to connect the Kent & East Sussex Railway at Bodiam to the main line railway at Robertsbridge.
http://www.rvr.org.uk/

Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust (Washford, Somerset - on the WSR)
http://www.sdrt.org.uk/

South Eastern & Chatham Railway Society
"The Society was founded in 1973 to promote interest in the South Eastern and Chatham Railway , its two constituent railways (the London Chatham and Dover Railway and the South Eastern Railway) and successors".
http://www.southeasternandchathamrailway.org.uk/

Southern Electric Group
Organisation for enthusiasts, historians, modellers and preservationists of the largest third rail electric railway system in the world.
http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/

 

Reference Websites

Railway Vocbulary
Explanation of railway terms.
http://www.stationbuffet.co.uk/railwayvocab.html

 

 

Please send your suggested links and other comments to:  mjs@onlineweb.com

Links checked and updated January 2010.

 

NOTES:

NOTE 1: GAUGE SIZES

Standard Gauge in the UK is 4ft 8½in  (1.435 mtrs)

Narrow Gauge is typically between 2 and 3 feet (approx 0.6 mtrs and 0.9 mtrs), although they can be wider or narrower

Miniature Railway Gauge is typically between 5 and 15 inches (127mm and 381mm), with 7¼ inches (185 mm) most common.  Some "miniature" railways have gauges of 18 or even 20 inches, which makes them almost narrow gauge railways.

The distinction between narrow gauge and miniature gauge can be very fluid, and often depends on how the owners wish to describe their railway.  Generally, such railways are listed here under Narrow Gauge or Miniature Railway headings according to the gauge sizes mentioned above.

For narrow gauge and miniature railways listed, the gauge size is given alongside each individual railway name.

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NOTE 2: PRESERVED STATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURES

This section only lists individual buildings and structures which do not form part of an operating railway line, but now exist in isolation.  Such buildings will have been restored, or are in the process of being restored, and the public has or will have access, although this may be restricted in some cases.  Some of the buildings may now be railway museums, tourist information centres, community or leisure centres, or even restaurants.  Clearly, former stations that are now private homes are not listed, unless they are already the subject of a publicly-available website.

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My Railway Photographs

Locomotive Listing

 

Please send your suggested links and other comments to:  mjs@onlineweb.com

© Copyright M J Smith, 2009-2011
No photographs to be reproduced elsewhere without permission.

 

 

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