5 Fun Miniature Railways in Essex UK

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I’m a little bit of a train nerd and regardless of the fact I’m an adult, I do love a good miniature railway! The engines vary, from diesel engines, to electric, to little mini steam engines that run on coal. Just like the engines, the ‘carriages’ are different too; some have bench seats, some are enclosed carriages and others you sit with a leg either side! In this post I share 5 miniature railways in Essex that are fun for all the family!

Miniature Railways in Essex

*Please check locations for current operating schedules*

Poplar Nursery, Marks Tey

Poplar Nurseries Ltd, Coggeshall Rd, Marks Tey, Colchester CO6 1HR

Poplar Nursery run 3 miniature engines, 2 steam and 1 diesel. They try to run the steam engines during peak hours. It’s usually open year round on every weekend (except in January) and every day during school breaks. The track is 320m long and a circuit around the garden centre outdoor area takes around 5 minutes to complete. During December, they run a ‘Polar Express’ night train with Christmas lights dotted around the route.

Rides are £2 per person (over 3yrs old), but if you keep hold of your ticket, additional rides on the same day cost £1. Only cash is accepted at the ‘Poplar’ train station. However multi ride tickets for £10 or £18 can be purchased by card at the Chappel Chocolate House. Carriages include both a mix of sit astride and bench seats.

The railway is in the grounds of the garden centre, so head through the shop to the outside area at the back. At Christmas they also have a great Christmas light display and department. Please be aware that the miniature railway may not operate in bad weather.

Museum of Power, Langford

Hatfield Rd, Langford, Maldon CM9 6QA

The miniature railway at the Museum of Power near Maldon, is a 1/4 mile track that runs around the grounds of the museum. They operate both a steam engine and a diesel engine, so the engine type may vary of the day of your visit. The carriages are ‘sit astride’ carriages, so keep this in mind if you are visiting with smaller children.

Train rides cost £1 per person, per ride and tickets can be purchased from the cute little ‘Langford Station’ building. The miniature railway may not always be in operation, so it’s best to check first before visiting. Using it runs on special event days but this does require an additional cost of the event ticket.

Other things to do at the Museum of Power include: the steam museum, a cafe and a model village. Find out more on the Museum of Power website.

Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham

Castle Hedingham, Halstead CO9 3DZ

The Colne Valley Railway is mainly known for its full size steam train rides, however they also have a ride on miniature railway too! They have 8 engines altogether, 2 steam engines, 4 petrol hydraulic engines and 2 powered by battery. The steam engines are only in operation when their private owners are free to drive them. Carriages are mainly with single rider bench seats. The track is 750m long and has a slight incline, so some of the smaller engines can’t pull quite as many carriages!

Rides on the miniature railway are included with the main entrance fee. So in theory you could keep going on it as many times as you wanted to!

Audley End Miniature Railway

Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB

Audley End Miniature Railway has the longest track out of the ones listed in this post, at 1.5 mile long! It also has the ‘biggest’ trains and carriages with benches that find 1-2 people per seat with a roof over the top (open air sides). They operate both steam and diesel engines. The trains make a circuit of the woodlands filled with teddy bears hiding amongst the trees! Children can enjoy an ‘I-Spy’ worksheet to try and spot different things along the route!

Tickets vary depending on if it’s a weekday, weekend or event days. On non event days, adults and children over 92cm: £10 (weekday)/£12 (weekend), children under 92cm: £5 (weekday)/£6 (weekend).

As well as 1 trip on the miniature railway, the entrance fee also includes the ‘Enchanted Fairy and Elf Walk’. Extra train rides can be purchased for £2 per person.

East Anglian Railway Museum, Colchester

Station Rd, Wakes Colne, Colchester CO6 2DS

Just like the Colne Valley Railway, the East Anglian Railway Museum is mainly a history museum about mainline railways and steam trains, however they also have a miniature railway! They have a diesel engine and a steam engine and mainly pull single rider bench seat carriages. For an additional £5, visitors over 16yrs old have the opportunity to drive one of the battery powered engines for 3 round trips! For a little extra (starting from £150…) visitors can learn how to drive one of the full sized steam locomotives!

Non event admission days cost £7 for adults and £4 for children (4-15yrs). Event day admission is £10 for adults and £5 for children (Days Out With Thomas and beer festival events cost more).

Another option of something to do while visiting the East Anglian Railway Museum is to take a trip on the branch line which runs between Marks Tey and Sudbury (Suffolk). Service is run by Greater Anglia and if travelling in the Marks Tey direction, the train passes over the Chappel Viaduct!

*Bonus* Lost Madagascar Train, Colchester Zoo

Maldon Rd, Colchester CO3 0SL

Not quite the same as the miniature steam and diesel engines, but still fun, is the Lost Madagascar Train at Colchester Zoo! This is a large land train which does a small circuit around the lower part of the zoo. You’ll be able to learn some fun facts about the animal enclosures visible from the train via a guided commentary. Half way around, the train stops at the walk through lemur enclosure before continuing its journey back to the station. Rides on the Lost Madagascar Train are included as part of the zoo entry ticket.

Enjoyed this? Read more in The Ultimate Guide of Things to do in Essex UK!

INSPIRED BY THESE MINIATURE RAILWAYS IN ESSEX? PIN IT FOR LATER!