Which is the best preserved steam railway in the world?

Question

I am very fond of the East Lancashire Railway. I would love to hear from railway enthusiasts all round the world, please tell me why I should visit your railway, scenery, locos etc. Many thanks.

Answer 1

The Bluebell Railway is the best preserved standard gauge railway because it recreates the railway sence of yesteryear beautifully, runs through excellent countryside & is the only line in Britian to uise steam locomotives exclusively.

Having said that I think that the lines with the best scenery are the Welsh Highland, Festiniog, Talyllyn and the Ravenglass & Eskdale and these narrow gauge lines do have more character than standard gauge.

With all due respect to the Great Central Railway, but in my view if you want to see how a main line worked in steam days, the best place to go is the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway in Kent.

Answer 2

I've heard the Bluebell Railway in Sussex is highly regarded.

Answer 3

Here in the States it's a tough call but IMHO I would have to say the Strasburg Rail Road located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Cass Scenic Railroad located in Cass, West Virginia.

Of course, if you are after big steam consider catching the Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 (operated by The Friends of the 261), which does excursions almost all across the country and the Union Pacific's steam program, which operates its never-retired #844 as well as Challenger (4-8-8-4) #3985 on occasional excursions and company sponsored events annually.

Answer 4

I don't know if it's the best, but I was very impressed with the 62 mile long Grand Canyon Railroad in Arizona. Very dedicated people maintain the steam fleet there. I'm a conductor in the U.S., and they gave me some throttle time on a trip. Was a lot of fun.

Answer 5

If you are ever in the east anglia area you have a choice of the Nene Valley Railway, the Mid Norfolk Railway & the North Norfolk Railway. All three are very good value family days out, my fave is the nene valley railway as it has a good mix of steam, diesel & my sons favourite "Thomas"( a must for all train mad 3 yr olds)

Answer 6

Severn Valley is very good, not least because they have a very varied selection of coaching stock to go with the steam engines.

Gresley teak TSOs, Stanier 'Porthole' late period 3 CKs, BSKs and SOs; Churchward and Collett GWR stock.

I remember when they had the GWR 'Quick Lunch' buffet car on loan from the National Railway Museum. I used to be a volunteer chef for the SVR, and running this vehicle was great - it is a symphony in stainless steel. Turning out pie, chips and peas and bottles of Bathams Best for the diners seated at the counter is not quite cordon bleu, but the beery steam-lovers were a great bunch to cook for, and they tipped in beer, which suited me right down to the ground.

The great advantages of the SVR, other than the rolling stock and the locomotives, is that it goes from somewhere to somewhere. Kidderminster is a smashing town, very friendly to strangers, and the Cricketers pub in Lorne Street is a good watering hole, as is the pub just opposite Kiddy railway station.Captain Cod served superb chips! Bridgnorth is also a charming town, and the pub on the station serves some truly great ales.

The distance travelled also enables the traveller to relax, whereas the Mid-Hants, GCR and Bluebell are a bit short in mileage. From the purely catering point of view, I was able to cook and serve good food in a leisurely style, both in the 'quick lunch' car and in the kitchens of the Dining set used on Sunday lunches and for special occasions.

Answer 7

Worthy of mention is the Lithgow Zig-Zag west of Sydney, Australia.  It was recommissioned decades after closure with new track at 3'6" gauge down from the original 4'8.5", so I guess  it is not preserved or even really restored.  

It is worked with Pacific class locomotives from the Queensland railway system.  Views are spectacular and there are beautiful stone viaducts.

http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au/

Answer 8

The West Somerset Railway is great......... Minehead to Bishops Lydiard,, Longest Preserved Railway in UK

Answer 9

Small but friendly - the Severn Valley Railway is in desperate need of support at the moment.  The trains can no longer run to Bridgenorth from Kidderminster due to flooding and land collapse.  Route at the moment is Kidderminster to Bewdley only; but watch this space - the rain Gods will not beat us in Worcestershire!

Answer 10

The Stephenson Railway museum in the North East. It is small but has a very friendly atmosphere there are a few engines there  and they run a steam train ride every Sunday which is very enjoyable.