East Anglian Railway Museum

The EARM is a living heritage site based at Chappel railway station. We are situated on the edge of breathtaking Constable Country and adjacent to one of the largest railway viaducts in Eastern England.

Our original Victorian buildings, restored trains, carriages and Signal Boxes tell a unique story of railways and people's lives in East Anglia from the 1840s to the present day. Come and explore our site!

There is plenty to see and do for children! Ask at reception for Milo Mouse trail sheets and get to know Milo's cousins! Dress up as Station Master and pull the heavy levers in our Signal Box!

We are an accredited museum and part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.

Miniature Railway

The museum's 7 1/4 inch miniature railway is open on most event days, some Wednesdays during the summer period, and during some public holidays.

We also offer a "driver for a fiver" experience. This is your chance to drive our electric locomotive for two return journeys!

The railway is also available for private hire by the hour or day.

Please Contact Us to find out more about when the mini-rail is operating.

Current Restoration Projects

We invite you to look around our fully functional Restoration Shed where our engineers restore and preserve vintage trains. This may not always be possible due to health and safety regulations. The Restoration Shed is a working environment. We ask you to be careful while walking around.

Museum Shop

Our museum shop is located at reception. Come and browse our wide ranging products! We stock numerous railway themed books and Bachmann model railway items. We are happy to order items on request.

Times of Restricted Access to Parts of the Museum

Please be aware that during the September Chappel Beer and mid-summer Cider Festival the Heritage Centre, Goods Shed and Restoration Shed remain closed for security and safety reasons. Access to the site during these events is for festival goers only.

The Goods Shed is regularly hired for private events and functions, especially during the summer weekends. If you are visiting the museum and wish to look around the Goods Shed, we recommend you ring the museum reception prior to your visit on 01206 242524.

Educational Visits

The museum, apart from being a fun place to visit, is also an educational resource where ‘hands on’ experience can reinforce classroom learning illustrating not only the history of railways themselves but also how they affected the social history of the country and changed the way many people lived their lives.

We welcome visits from school groups of all ages and with a little pre-planning can offer an itinerary to suit a number of specific subjects which includes a guided tour of the museum including some areas which often are ‘off limits’ for such groups. We can adapt the duration of visits to suit individual requirements from two or three hours to a full day and there is plenty of indoor accommodation should the weather be inclement!

Anyone interested in booking a group visit whether it be for school or any other group is invited to contact the Customer Services Manager, Keith Chadwick by using our contact page or by phoning 01206 242524 who will be delighted to discuss your needs.

The costs for school visits is £2.75 per pupil with a 10% discount for ten or more, teachers and helpers are admitted free of charge.