British narrow-gauge railways
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.

British narrow-gauge railways

Section Title: Public railways
Table Section Text: 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.

Name	Years of operation	Gauge	Length	Location	Image	Notes

Abbey Light Railway	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.

Albany Steam Museum Forest Road Light Railway	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	1884–1889	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)	7 miles (11.3 km)	Alford, England	-	Steam-hauled street tramway.

Alford Valley Railway	1979–present	2 ft (610 mm)	1.5 miles (2.4 km)	Alford, Scotland	-	Built on the old standard gauge branch from Upper Donside to Kintore Junction

Almond Valley Light Railway	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	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	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	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	1975–present	2 ft (610 mm)	0.5 miles (0.8 km)	Hollingbourne, England	Decauville 246 of 1897.JPG	A one-half-mile (0.8 km) long private steam railway that holds regular open days

Camborne and Redruth Tramway	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	1877–1932	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)	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	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	1836 -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	DavidLloydGeorge-P6031714.JPG	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)	Yeston, 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 and modernised 1977–1980. Still in operation as a common carrier.

Glyn Valley Tramway	1873–1935	2 ft 4 1⁄2 in (724 mm)	8.75 miles (14.1 km)	Chirk, Wales	-	Carried granite and passengers along the Ceriog Valley, much of the length as a roadside tramway.

Great Bush Railway	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 Orme Tramway	1902–present	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)	1.25 miles (2 km)	Llandudno, Wales	GOT Tram 5 Ascending 05-07-17 10.jpeg	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)	1.1 miles (1.8 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)[discuss]	0.75 miles (1.2 km)	Herne Bay, England	-	Pier construction railway that was retained for passenger use.

Hythe Pier Railway	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.

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	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	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	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	Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway 05-08-29 64.jpeg	Passenger carrying tourist line built on a standard gauge trackbed.

Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway	1904–1934	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)	8.5 miles (13.7 km)	Leek, England	-	Agricultural and passenger service for the Manifold valley in the Staffordshire Moorlands

Leighton Buzzard Railway	1968–present	2 ft (610 mm)	3 miles (4.8 km)	Leighton Buzzard, England	Arkle of Leighton Buzzard Light Railway.JPG	Heritage railway operating over the tracks of the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway	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	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	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	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.

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 -present	3 ft (914 mm)	17 miles (27 km)	Douglas, Isle of Man	Manx Electric Railway tram 5 at Laxey.JPG	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	Unknown	2 ft (610 mm)	990 yards	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	1877–1916	1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm)	12.25 miles (19.7 km)	Dinas, Wales	-	One of the precursors to the WHR. Carried passengers, slate and general freight.

Perrygrove Railway	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	1897–1899	2 ft 3 in (686 mm)	7 miles (11.3 km)	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	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	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	1875–1913	3 ft (914 mm) Later 15 in (381 mm)	6.75 miles (10.9 km)	Ravenglass, England	-	A line serving the iron ore mines and local passengers in the western Lake District. Was subsequently converted to a 15 in (381 mm) minimum gauge railway which is still in operation.

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway	1927–present	15 in (381 mm)	13.5 miles (21.7 km)	Kent, England	-	Running a mixture of steam and diesel trains; mainly operates as a tourist attraction but also provides local services and transport to and from school for local children.

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	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)	Unknown	Saltaire, England	-	Rope-hauled inclined tourist railway.

Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway	1969–present	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)	3.5 miles (5.6 km)	Sittingbourne, England	SKLR Alpha.JPG	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	1896–present	800 mm (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in)	5 miles (8 km)	Llanberis, Wales	SMR 2 at Llanberis 05-07-19 43.jpeg	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	1830–1978	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)	1.34 miles (2.2 km)	Southend, England	0030 1949 train along pier2.JPG	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	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	Southport Pier 4.JPG	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	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	1802-1846	4 ft 2 in (1,270 mm)	9 miles (14.5 km)	Coulsdon, England	Surrey Iron Railway02.JPG	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	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	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	Unknown-present	2 ft (610 mm)	Unknown	Twyford, England	-	Short industrial narrow-gauge railway line

Vale of Rheidol Railway	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	1922–1937	1 ft 11 1⁄2 in (597 mm)	22 miles (35 km)	Porthmadog, Wales	WHR-P5141523X.JPG	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	1964–present	1 ft 11 5⁄8 in (600 mm)	0.75 miles (1.2 km)	Porthmadog, Wales	KarenGelertsFarm.jpeg	Concentrating on the heritage aspects of the Welsh Highland Railway, including a museum and miniature railway.

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway	1903–1956	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)	9 miles (14.5 km)	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	Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway No. 1 The Earl.JPG	Heritage revival of the line.

West Lancashire Light Railway	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	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)	1 mile (1.6 km)	Ashington, England	-	Passenger carrying narrow gauge tourist railway

Yaxham Light Railway	1967–present	2 ft (610 mm)	Unknown	Yaxham, England	-	Steam-hauled passenger line at the former GER railway station at Yaxham.

Sentence(s)

Middleton Railway first used locomotive was in 1812, the 4 ft 1 in (1,245 mm) gauge.

final_sentence: Middleton Railway first used locomotive was in 1812, the 4 ft 1 in (1,245 mm) gauge.