Do you love old steam engines and historic station buildings? Enjoy staring out at the scenic countryside on a coastal train ride in England? Chances are you'll want to hop off and make some discoveries along the way. Or maybe just sit back and admire the English countryside rolling past your window, riding on a narrow guage train. Read on for some great railways journeys, steam railways in England around the regions.
East Midlands
The deeply wooded sides of the enchanting Churnet Valley, in the Peak District, hold many hidden treasures. The Churnet Valley Railway (www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/) steam trains chug peacefully along for 10 ½ miles, following the routes of both the River Churnet and the Caldon Canal. Some of the valley’s fascinating industrial past is revealed at Froghall Wharf and from here you can take afternoon tea or Sunday Lunch on a traditional narrowboat trip.
East of England
Bressingham Steam Experience and Gardens (www.bressingham.co.uk/) offers a working steam experience in a nationally-known garden setting with narrow-gauge railway rides through four miles of Norfolk woodland, a Victorian steam roundabout, locomotive sheds, stationary engine displays, a royal coach, traction engines and gardens.England’s North West
The narrow-gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk/) offers a memorable journey through the stunning West Cumbrian countryside. With a gentle hoot of the engine, the train makes its way from the station. Steam enthusiasts have worked hard to restore the seven-mile, 40-minute journey, which takes people through the valleys of the rivers of Mite and Esk to the foot of England’s highest mountain. There’s a really good atmosphere onboard and passers by wave as the train steams past. Tickets include discounts at other attractions, a map and a game for children to play on the journey.
London
Ruislip Lido Railway (rlr.digiserv.net/news.php) is a small railway providing rides around the edge of Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve. Eight carriages, pulled by five engines (each with its own story!) run right around the lake to the nearby woodland. Last year more than 70,000 people took rides on the Railway. Bordering around the railway itself are a children’s play area and a beach on the Woody Bay side. A great day out for all the family!North East England
The branch line between Alston and Haltwhistle was originally built in the 1850s, it served the lead mining industry of the North Pennines. Part of the route has now been reopened as a narrow-gauge railway – The South Tynedale Railway (www.strps.org.uk/) – following the valley of the south Tyne river in the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The trains are hauled by preserved steam and diesel engines from Britain and overseas. The section of line now in use runs from Alston to Kirkhaugh. Designed by George Stephenson and opened in 1826, Bowes Railway (www.bowesrailway.co.uk/) is the world's only surviving standard gauge operational preserved rope haulage system. You can find out more about George Stephenson and re-live the glorious days of the steam railway check out the Stephenson Railway Museum (www.twmuseums.org.uk/stephenson/).
South East
Experience history in motion as you travel by steam or heritage diesel train. Trains run between the beautiful Georgian town of Alresford and Alton where a link is made to the national rail network.
The Watercress Line (www.watercressline.co.uk/) route takes you along 10 miles of steeply graded track through beautiful Hampshire scenery, passing two intermediate stations - Ropley, which is the railway's engineering base; and Medstead and Four Marks, the highest station in southern England. The steep hills either side of Medstead gave rise to this section of line being known as 'Over the Alps' - and today means the use of large, powerful steam engines.
There are many special events throughout the year, such as War on the Line, a Day Out with Thomas and Santa Specials. Kids of all ages will enjoy a family day out on Hampshire's Heritage Railway.
South West
Britain's longest running railway running steam – West Somerset Steam Railway (www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/) – hauled trains over 20 miles through the stunning scenery of the Quantock Hills and along the coast from Minehead, passing 7 beautifully preserved wayside stations to Bishops Lydeard near Taunton.
Yorkshire
The 72 mile Settle-Carlisle Railway (www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/) takes you on a journey through the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct before plunging in to the longest tunnel on the line at Blea Moor. Emerging onto the side of Dentdale, the line leaves the Dales at Garsdale and makes it way through the gentle, lush rolling hills of the Eden Valley, with rural villages and market towns before arriving at the great border city of Carlisle.
Ellen McNulty is President of www.lynotttours.com
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