Leighton Buzzard Railway

The Leighton Buzzard Railway is one of the last survivors of the hundreds of 2 foot (610mm) gauge light railways built in Britain for industrial use. It is believed to be the only remaining line which owed its existence to the ready availability of surplus materials and equipment from the First World War battlefield supply lines.

Opened by Leighton Buzzard Light Railway Ltd in 1919 to transport sand, and uniquely operated since then without a break, it has carried a steam-hauled passenger train service since 1968. It also now houses one of the largest and most important collections of narrow-gauge stock in England. Both the collection and the railway itself are covered by our Accredited Museum designation.

Today's Leighton Buzzard Railway offers a 70-minute round trip from Page's Park to Stonehenge Works, which is in the Bedfordshire countryside to the north of the town. The current track is just under 3 miles (4.8km) long. The original line continued for another 0.75 mile (1 km) to Double Arches, and restoration of this section is a long-term objective.

Educational Visits

The Leighton Buzzard Railway provides teachers with a varied toolkit of educational resources, which can be used to support work at different Key Stages, or as part of the Learning Outside The Classroom initiative. Alternatively, it can just be a fun treat at the end of a long school term!

In 2015, we will be running public trains on Wednesdays in June and July, with departures from Page's Park station at 10.40, 12.20 and 14.00. These are very popular with school and playgroup parties. Trains can also be chartered for different days and times, subject to a minimum booking charge.

At Stonehenge Works, take a look at our exhibitions about how narrow-gauge railways were used in the First World War battlefields. And about local life in 1919 - the year after the Great War ended, and the year our railway was built from war-surplus materials.

Or roll up for the Engine Shed Show-a guided tour of our fascinating locomotive collection in Page's Park shed - including War Department No 778, which actually served on the supply lines to the First World War trenches.

The artefacts they can interact with-the stone-built stables for the quarry horses, plus real old trains and other machinery, supplemented by old photos and newspaper articles-will provide stimulating input for a wide variety of curriculum topics. As will the vintage train ride that takes you out into the Bedfordshire countryside, stopping the traffic at the level crossings along the way.

No combat veterans of the First World War now survive, so their story must now be told by the things they left behind, such as locomotive 778. Our railway was born as a result of that conflict, and is an ideal place to study what happened and why.

We will provide information to help you tailor your own teacher resource pack ahead of your visit, together with the loan of a DVD. And take a look at the downloadable worksheets produced by the Greensand Trust, and the rail safety website produced jointly by British Transport Police, Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies. Prior familiarisation visits can also be arranged for teachers, if required, and we have a specimen risk assessment, which can be adapted to your situation.

An educational (or fun) visit to the Leighton Buzzard Railway is particularly suited to pre-school and primary school children. However, we also provide facilities for secondary, further or higher education students, for example in generating coursework or project material. We are also a popular outing destination for school holiday playgroups.

Any group of 9 or more fare-paying passengers, booking in advance and travelling together on a scheduled train, gets a 20% discount on all fares, plus reserved seats. There is free parking for coaches, minibuses and cars, with a special area for groups with disabled members.

Page's Park station is adjacent to the large public park of the same name, where educational activities can take place, or it can be used for picnics and games. A play area for small children is located conveniently next to the railway car park, and a new community garden is under construction neat to the station platform.

We take very seriously the safety of all who visit us, and our volunteers must abide by a code of conduct in respect of contacts with children, which meets current legal requirements. Operational safety is monitored by the Office of Rail Regulation, just like the main-line railways, and we are fully insured.

We are now taking enquiries and bookings for the 2015 season, especially Wednesdays in June and July.