Most interesting short heritage line.

With larger heritage lines getting all the attention and visitor share, unsurprisingly.

I'm sure short heritage lines like under 4 miles maybe 5 at a push will have their features and have more to offer with unique selling points that makes them stand out, what short heritage lines that you visited that makes them stand out ?

 

Interesting rolling stock! Isle of Wight and KWVR spring to mind on that front. Anywhere with some nice pre-nationalisation or pre-grouping coaches is a big tick in the box.

 

The Lynton & Barnstaple in North Devon is currently a little under a mile long, but has a replica of one of the original locos, and five original/restored carriages, plus a delightful restored station among its many attractions for visitors. A key to success is the friendly welcome offered by all the staff and volunteers, which is often remarked upon by visitors.

Whilst retaining much of the original line's authenticity, the site boasts modern refreshment and toilet facilities, dog- and family-friendly attractions, a miniature railway, and even a garden model railway! Plans to extend the main 2ft. line have so far been thwarted, but efforts continue, and other sections of the once 19-mile line, including four of the original stations/halts, are owned by the railway and associated groups. Okay, so I may be biased, but I am among many who support this historic narrow gauge line (see links in my signature!)

 

Definitely the Isle of Wight steam Railway, but then I might be a little biased.

 

Have to agree with the KWVR - packs more into it's just under 5 miles than many twice it's length.
Must also shout out to the East Somerset Railway. Cranmore Station is a gem, good stiff gradient on the return and really friendly staff.

 

The NNR, does that count at 5.25 miles?

Great fleet of locomotives, including the only surviving examples of the B12, J15/Y14 and N2. Beautiful scenery, wonderful stations and rolling stock

 

Depends what you’re looking for - Chinnor is about as perfect a recreation of a GW branch line as you could want, for example.

away from the obvious attractions of interesting rolling stock, fans of signalling might like the Northampton and Lamport, which has got to be one of the most comprehensively signalled line of its size in the country.

 

I think 5.25 miles is perfectly acceptable if just over if it contains something that large heritage lines don't have, which is the USP.

 

Tanfield Railway only 3 miles long, industrial locos and wooden bodied coaches. Has worlds oldest working shed, and near the line is the world’s oldest railway bridge, built in 1725.

 

Having had a few trips over the NNR it never seems short!

 

Also, though I’ve never visited, the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway looks like a wonderful little line

 

I was very impressed by the Embsay to Bolton Abbey line. It has lovely views over the Yorkshire Dales.

 

If the IOWSR can be included in the definition of a short line, then I'd agree with you. I always enjoy my visits. Staff are friendly and welcoming and W24 heading a rake of pre-grouping carriages with some decent gradients and attractive scenery thrown in for good measure is as good as it gets on any line.

K&WVR: A brilliant line - good collection of locos and coaches, attractive scenery, well maintained stations, steep gradients to make the locos work a bit and friendly staff. I've always enjoyed my visits. Only one complaint: It's over 200 miles from my home!

NNR: Pretty well at the top of my "must do" Lines. The photographs posted in this forum suggest that it has all you could want of a heritage line - good scenery, decent gradients, interesting locos and rolling stock and attractive, well maintained stations. Hopefully I'll get there one day!

I'd also want to give the Spa Valley a bit of a plug. Maybe I should admit a bit of bias as I occasionally volunteer there, but in spite of having started much later than the rest of the "Southern Six", it has managed to build up a decent collection of rolling stock and again offers some pleasant Wealden scenery with a decent climb for the locos. It's also a very friendly line. (I certainly try to be welcoming ehen I'm on duty.)

 

At 5 miles long my input is the Spa Valley Railway.

https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/

Still uses the original 75f loco shed; still has a just about recognisable junction (Groombridge); significant parts of the original station buildings remain at Groombridge (walked though and past to get to the new heritage era station); and has a section running parallel with a NR, non-electrified line. Where, at Forge Farm Crossing trains down to Eridge can be photographed as if they were on a double track heritage railway.

And for a short line there are a good number of decent and easily accessible photo spots.

Motive power based there may look limited at present (34059 and 828) but thanks to @Jonnie and his team of volunteers the line has developed a reputation for bringing in a wide variety of locos for special events, or for longer term hire. Some, such as 80078, being one of the mainstay classes used on the line back in normal steam days.

Bryan

 

Foxfield for the magnificent climb out of the colliery, of course that assumes they ever get back to using it.

 

East Somerset railway, friendly bunch, nice cafe, can walk through engine shed, David Shephard exhibition, children friendly, dog friendly ....

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If the title of this thread is supposed to be a question its impossible to answer, each line has its own character and charm and all are unique. A couple of weeks ago I was at one of the shortest, the Mid Suffolk Railway, that must be one of the best recreations of the rural railway byways that were once common in this country. I would put the Worth Valleyin the big league but with one of the shortest length of running line, it isalso the only complete branch lines from its original junction to terminus.

 

I have (several times) and it is! It definitely qualifies as short - you can ride the full length of the line and walk back to the start before the loco can run round and get back with the train (Not a USP, as I've done the same at Apedale and Telford).

 

Agree!

I have visited twice, its a delight

What can you say about a line that ended up in the middle of a field because thats where the money ran out!

 

I have to mention Statfold Barn. The gala in March this year had 12 locos in steam. Non-stop action, parallel running, demonstration goods, minimum-gauge railway, roundhouse museum, excellent facilities, and all for £15.