The Ribble Steam Railway on Chain Caul Road, Preston, is a family day out in the heart of Lancashire. The railway has been open to the public since September 2005. A visit to the site will not only give you the opportunity to travel along our 1ยฝ mile dock and riverside line, but also access our newly built museum and workshop.
The line itself crosses the Preston Marina entrance via a swing bridge, and runs alongside the diverted River Ribble on the site of the former sprawling docklands.
The Ribble Steam Railway is run entirely by volunteers and you can visit the workshops to see out latest projects, learn about the History of Preston Dock and follow the Mr Ribble Educational Trail around the museum building whilst learning about Engines & Railways.
Our museum building is continually being updated and improved to give visitors a truly interactive look into the fascinating industrial railway history of the North West of England.
There is a shop & cafe on site and there is ample free car parking adjacent to the Railway Centre entrance.
A FEW FACTS
At the Ribble Steam Railway, our exhibits aim to reflect the industrial history of the North West. Most of our locos either worked or were built within a 30 mile radius.
Our collection comprises locomotives from 20 different manufacturers, and includes a number of significant examples –
- “Hornet” is the sole survivor of the Peckett Greenhithe class.
- “Persil” is the prototype for it’s Fowler Diesel class.
- “Greenbat” was the protype for this model of Greenwood & Batley standard gauge locos.
- “Mighty Atom” & “Sparky” have been together for over sixty years, and are thought to be the oldest standard gauge Hudswell diesels in Britain.
- “Hotto” is one of only two known remaining standard gauge Howard locomotives.
- “272” is the only Grant Richie locomotive in England, and the only 0-4-0ST type anywhere.
- “Gasbag” is the only surviving loco of it’s design.
- “The King” is one of only three remaining locos built by Borrows.
- “EE2098” was the first loco of it’s type produced at the English Electric Factory on Strand Road, Preston.
- “Simon” is believed to be the 2nd oldest (non converted) Sentinel Diesel locomotive in existence!
- “No.19” is one of only two once common L&Y Pugs.
- “Glasshoughton No.4” is the penultimate member of it’s class, and the youngest remaining one.
- “Walkden” is the only ex-Netherlands State Railways Steam locomotive in the UK.
For more information:
www.ribblesteam.org.uk
http://www.ribblesteam.org.uk/