Miniature Railway

The Langford and Beeleigh Railway

A most popular attraction for children adults and families alike this fabulous 7¼” gauge miniature railway’s main line carries passengers on a journey of over one quarter of a mile through the seven acres of mature woods and meadows that make up the museum grounds.

A small halt, ‘Riverside’, is situated beside the footpath from the visitors car park to the Museum but the main station, ‘Langford’, is on the east side of the museum site. This is where passengers alight. Our ‘Langford’ station is less than half a mile from the position of the original Langford and Ulting Halt which was situated on the Maldon to Witham Branch but which was axed in the 1960s.

Visitors please note that an extra charge is made for train rides at all times. These are currently £1 per ride or six rides for £5. For details of when the miniature railway is available please see Events.

It is important for visitors to note that the Directors reserve the right to replace the miniature steam locomotive with a diesel engine as and when circumstances may demand.

Please note that.

Further information about our railway

The Motive Power Depot (Engine Shed) is situated some distance from the station, down by the river. The Depot comprises a three road building for the storage of locomotives and rolling stock, two long sidings for the assembly and preparation of trains and their engines and a short preparation/disposal road leading to an adjustable 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 store as well as offices 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.

 

Langford Station has two platforms and each platform can be separated into arrival and departure sections if required. At the departure end, steam locomotives can carry out servicing such as the oiling of their ‘works’ and replenishment of their supplies of coal and water from the coal stage and water tower, as once was the case on the “Big Railway”, while embarking passengers.

Construction of a Canopy or Roof over the platforms for the comfort of our passengers is now completed.

Currently the section of line including the Station is controlled by three aspect colour light signals as it the rest of the Railway but we plan to re-equip with the old fashioned ‘Semaphore Arm’ signals, more appropriate to our steam railway; a few of which can still be seen on Network Rail!

The remainder of the main line is divided into sectors each controlled by RED AMBER and GREEN lights. As your locomotive passes the signal you will see the light change from AMBER or GREEN to RED. This means that until your train has cleared the sector you are now in, the train behind you will have to wait at the RED signal.

Our trains are fitted with a powerful braking system for safety 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 for the day as are the locomotives and rolling stock and for the safety and comfort of our customers; we operate and staff the railway in much the same way as the ‘Big Railway’, except that, as we do not have a timetable, our trains are NEVER late).

Future Plans

Longer term ambitions include a bridge over the River Blackwater giving us access the event arena/display/rally area on the other side. A station near the car park will enable visitors to travel to the Museum/Tea Rooms etc. by train.

If finance and planning were to be available our long term 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.

This branch will thus make it truly the 'LANGFORD & BEELEIGH RAILWAY'.

Volunteers

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/Diesel Driver. Either e-mail us via the ‘Contact’ page or ring 01621 843183.

Railway Pictures

.....