Audley End Railway

The Audley End Miniature Railway is a miniature railway in Essex, England.

Audley End Miniature Railway
Rolling stock and old station sign
LocaleSaffron Walden, Essex
TerminusAudley End
Coordinates52.0193°N 0.2176°E / 52.0193; 0.2176
Commercial operations
NameAudley End Miniature Railway
Built byAudley End Estate
Original gauge10 14 in (260 mm)
Preserved operations
Stations1
Length1 12 miles (2.4 km)
Preserved gauge10 14 in (260 mm)
Commercial history
Opened1964
Preservation history
1963Building commences
1964Line opens
1979Line extended to its present length.
Website
Audley End Railway

Overview

The 10 14 in (260 mm)-gauge circuit was built by Lord Braybrooke and was opened on 16 May 1964 by famous racing driver Sir Stirling Moss. The railway runs for 1 12 miles (2.4 km) through woodland adjacent to Audley End House, former home of the Braybrookes, now in the ownership of English Heritage.[1]

The woodland contains a large number of teddy bears and other soft toys arranged in displays. The line has two tunnels and crosses the River Cam and River Fulfen. The bridge across the Cam retains the original World War II pillbox.

The site is also home to the Saffron Walden & District Society of Model Engineers who run short circular 3 12 in (89 mm), 5 in (127 mm) and 7 12 in (190.5 mm) tracks at both raised and ground levels on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months.[2]

In January 2019 the railway's owners announced they will sell nine locomotives in order to “raise £180,000 and secure the railway's future”.[3] The auction by Dreweatt's is scheduled for March 12, 2019.[4]

References

  • Lord Braybrooke, Audley End Railway 2004
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