The main station, 'Langford', is on the far (south) side of the Museum site and is where passengers normally start and finish their ride. Our 'Langford' station is less than half a mile from the position of the original Langford and Ulting Halt which was situated on the old Great Eastern Railway Maldon to Witham Branch Line, axed in the 1960s. You can view the original Langford Station sign inside the Museum.
Visitors please note that an extra charge is made for train rides at all times. After 18 years we are having to raise the price of our adult tickets to help cover increasing running costs.
Our ticket prices from 1st June 2023 are:
Adults - £2
Children aged 3 to 15 years - £1
Children 2 and under - free.
Family Ticket - £5 (2 adults & up to 3 children)
Please note that children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For details of when the miniature railway is operating, please see the what's on page where each event shows whether trains are running or not. The railway runs on most event days and on the first Sunday of each month (not January or February) alongside the Model Village opening.
It is also important for visitors to be aware that the railway may not run steam locomotives on all days that the railway operates.
The L&BR features an overall roofed, two-platform Langford station and a basic halt.
Trains are vacuum braked. Entry to and from the station is controlled by upper quadrant semaphore junction and starting signals which are linked to the platform points and provide operating staff with enhanced visibility of route setting and add to the railway atmosphere for our visitors.
Visible and audible warnings for pedestrians at two foot crossings.
Two internal road crossings are equipped with level crossing gates which are controlled by operating staff and provide protection against any risk of collision with road vehicles.
2022-23 STOCKLIST
STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
DIESEL OUTLINE LOCOMOTIVE, PETROL
DIESEL OUTLINE LOCOMOTIVE, BATTERY ELECTRIC
SIT-ASTRIDE BOGIE PASSENGER ROLLING STOCK
FREIGHT ROLLING STOCK
All locomotives and rolling stock, with the exception of the Romulus 0-4-0, Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0D and English Electric Co-Co were originally built by members of the group that operate the railway on behalf of the Museum of Power.
The Motive Power Depot, or Engine Shed, is situated some distance from the station, down by the river. The depot comprises a building with three ground level roads plus a fourth raised level road for the storage of locomotives and rolling stock; two adjacent sidings for the assembly and preparation of trains; two short locomotive preparation/disposal roads over a large inspection pit and a road leading to an adjustable loading/unloading ramp for visiting locomotives.
Access from the main line is via a spur protected by 'trap' points, leading to a 14' turntable which in turn serves all the sidings and shed roads. The depot has its own water tower and coal storage as well as an office and workshop and enables the crews to carry out the exacting work involved in the preparation of our locomotives and rolling stock for passenger hauling duties.
For safety, our trains are fitted with a powerful vacuum braking system which can be operated by either the Engine Driver or the Guard, who travels at the rear of the train.
The whole of the running line is inspected before we commence operations each day, as are the locomotives and rolling stock. For the safety and comfort of our customers, we operate and staff the railway in much the same way as on the 'Big Railway' except that, as we do not normally have a timetable, our trains are NEVER late!
Longer term ambitions include a bridge over the River Blackwater, giving us access to the event arena on the other side which is used for displays and rallies. A station near the car park will enable visitors to travel to the Museum and Tea Room by train.
If finance and planning become available, our eventual aim is to construct and operate a branch line along the banks of the River Blackwater to Beeleigh Falls. This branch will enable us to provide a 'Park and Ride' facility enabling the public to visit the Mill at Beeleigh, presently virtually inaccessible by road by any but light traffic. The Mill contains a unique Wentworth beam engine and its equally rare Elephant type boiler.
Constructing this branch would thus truly realise our railway's given appellation of 'LANGFORD & BEELEIGH RAILWAY'.
If you would like to join the volunteer railway staff, full training will be given to enable you to become a Stationmaster, Signalman, Guard, or Steam or Non-Steam Engine Driver.
Either e-mail us via the ‘Contact’ page or tel: 01621 843183.
Every effort is made to ensure the Miniature Trains are running on the scheduled dates, however, to avoid disappointment please check with the Museum on the day prior to your visit.
Dates on the Museum Calendar page are regularly updated, but we suggest you contact the Museum if you are unsure if they are trains running before your visit.
The railway being narrow gauge 7 1/4" or 184mm requires passengers to be able to sit astride the carriage. For stability reasons this also prevents us from carrying a person unable to leave their wheelchair, those that are able to access and sit astride the carriage are welcome. CARERS accompanying a fare paying person requiring assistance are carried free.
Running times for 2023 are on our What's On page - please check the event you wish to attend. We also run on the FIRST SUNDAY of every month from March to November.
After 18 years we are having to raise the price of our adult tickets to help cover increasing running costs.
Our ticket prices from 1st June 2023 are:
The railway being narrow gauge 7 1/4" or 184mm requires passengers to be able to sit astride the carriage. For stability reasons this also prevents us from carrying a person unable to leave their wheelchair, those that are able to access and sit astride the carriage are wellcome. CARERS accompanying a fare paying person requiring assistance are carried free.
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