Engineering:Ridable miniature railway

Short description: Ultra-narrow-gauge railway on which people can ride

Not to be confused with Minimum-gauge railway or Rail transport modelling.

Emerson Zooline Railroad's Chance Rides C. P. Huntington train in Saint Louis Zoo, one of hundreds of exact copies of this ride model in locations worldwide

Delicias station in Madrid, Spain

5 in (127 mm) miniature railways of Osaka Metro, Japan. They are modeled after the real 30000 series train.

A ridable miniature railway (US: riding railroad or grand scale railroad) is a large scale, usually ground-level railway that hauls passengers using locomotives that are often models of full-sized railway locomotives (powered by diesel or petrol engines, live steam or electric motors).

Overview

Typically miniature railways have a rail track gauge between 5 in (127 mm) and under 15 in (381 mm), though both larger and smaller gauges are used.

At gauges of 5 in (127 mm) and less, the track is commonly raised above ground level. Flat cars are arranged with foot boards so that driver and passengers sit astride the track. The track is often multi-gauged, to accommodate 5 in (127 mm), 3 ¹⁄₂ in (89 mm), and sometimes 2 ¹⁄₂ in (64 mm) gauge locomotives.

The smaller gauges of miniature railway track can also be portable and is generally 3 ¹⁄₂ in (89 mm)/5 in (127 mm) gauge on raised track or as 7 ¹⁄₄ in (184 mm)/10 ¹⁄₄ in (260 mm) on ground level. Typically portable track is used to carry passengers at temporary events such as fêtes and summer fairs.

Typically miniature lines are operated by not for profit organisations - often model engineering societies - though some are entirely in private grounds and others operate commercially.

There are many national organisations representing and providing guidance on miniature railway operations including the Australian Association of Live Steamers and Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies.

In the United Kingdom

The first miniature railroads were built in the United Kingdom, as actual methods of transportation, such as the Jaywick railroad.

Railroads built in 19th century

The Duffield Bank Railway was built by Sir Arthur Percival Heywood in the grounds of his house on a hillside overlooking Duffield, Derbyshire in 1874. Although the Ordnance Survey map circa 1880 does not show the railway itself, it does show two tunnels and two signal posts. However, the online map archive of the National Library of Scotland includes a map of 1914 from the 25 inches to the foot series (Derbyshire XLV.9) that shows the full extent of the railway. Sir Arthur wished to explore the possibilities of minimum gauge railways for mining, quarrying, agriculture etc. He believed that they would be relatively easy to build, and to move. He saw possibilities for military railways behind the lines carrying ammunition and supplies.

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

The original Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway was a 3 ft (914 mm) line opened on 24 May 1875 to transport hematite iron ore from three mines near and around the village of Boot to the Furness Railway standard gauge line at Ravenglass. In the early 1880s, a tramway was built between Beckfoot and another mine at Gill Force. Locals and railway enthusiasts formed Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society to save the line, with financial backing by Sir Wavell Wakefield, Member of Parliament (MP) for Marylebone and owner of the Ullswater Steamers. In September 1960, the society made the winning bid and saved the railway from closure. Control of the railway passed to a new private company, with the backing of the preservation society, an arrangement that is still in place.

Railroads built in 20th century

The Downs Light Railway is the world's oldest private miniature railway, with a track gauge of 9 ¹⁄₂ in (241 mm). The railway was built and opened in 1925 under the guidance of Geoffrey Hoyland (Headmaster) as a 7 ¹⁄₄ in (184 mm) gauge railway, for the principal purpose of education. The railway is located within the grounds of The Downs Malvern, a private school in Colwall, near the town of Malvern, Worcestershire in the English Midlands. It is owned by the 'Downs Light Railway Trust. It is maintained and operated principally by the school children, aged between 7 and 13 years. It is part of the Heritage Railway Association membership.

The Jaywick Miniature Railway was built by FC Stedman, who owned the Jaywick Sands Estate on the Essex coast just south of Clacton-on-Sea. This railroad was built in order to transport individual potential buyers to view the homes for sale. It was built in 1935, by Miniature Railway & Specialists Engineering, of Terminus Road, Eastbourne.

Stapleford Miniature Railway

Stapleford Miniature Railway is an historic steam locomotive-hauled 10 ¹⁄₄ in (260 mm) gauge railway at Stapleford Park, Stapleford near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England. Considered one of the finest examples of its type, the railway is now private but still attracts thousands of visitors from the UK and abroad during its two public charity events each year.

Distinctions between model, miniature, and minimum-gauge railway

This is a 4-4-0 live steam locomotive. Thought to be the oldest surviving 10¼" 'Garden Railway' Locomotive in the world. Built in Birmingham, 1900, by Grimshaw for Capt. Holder's Pitmaston Moor Green Railway.

A minimum-gauge locomotive Northern Rock on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

A 'model railway' is one where the gauge is too small for people to ride on the trains. Due to the use of mixed gauge tracks, passengers may ride on a miniature railway which shares the same gauge as, and is pulled by, a large model locomotive on a smaller model gauge, although this is rare.

'Miniature railways' are railways that can be ridden by people and are used for pleasure/as a pastime for their constructors and passengers. In the US, miniature railways are also known as 'riding railroads' or 'grand scale railroads'. The track gauges recognised as being miniature railways vary by country, but in the UK the maximum gauge is 350 mm (13 ²⁵⁄₃₂ in).

A 'minimum-gauge railway', which generally starts at 15 in (381 mm) gauge, is one that was originally conceived as a commercial railway with small gauge track, with a working function as an estate railway, an industrial railway, or a provider of public transport links, such as the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, Fairbourne Railway or the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

In the UK, a gauge of 350 mm (13 ²⁵⁄₃₂ in) [or above] or crossing a carriageway are the criteria used by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), at which a railway is no longer classed as miniature and is therefore subject to formal regulation: they may be minor railways and/or heritage railways; the concept of minimum gauge is not recognised for the purposes of regulation.

Gauge

There are over 1,000 miniature railways open to the public around the world, not counting private railways, with 7 ¹⁄₄ in (184 mm) gauge being by far the most numerous. Many layouts have dual-gauge track combing two, three or even more different gauges.

Miniature railways

Name	Gauge	Country	Location	Notes
Evergreens Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Keal Cotes, Lincolnshire, PE23 4AE	https://evergreensminiaturerailway.org/
Great Northern & Cascade Railway		US	Skykomish, Washington
Grantchester Woodland Railway (Cambridge & District Model Engineering Society).	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Grantchester, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire	Ground level: triple gauge 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm), 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Burton upon Trent Model Engineering Society.	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire	Raised track: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) Ground level: dual gauge 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Canterbury Society of Model and Experimental Engineers	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Halswell Domain, Christchurch	Canterbury Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. Host of 2006 CANMOD International Convention.
West Wiltshire Society of Model Engineers	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	UK	Westbury, Wiltshire	Primarily a Model Engineering society with regular open days for the public.
Kapiti Miniature Railway and Model Engineering Society Inc	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Paraparaumu
Maidstone Model Engineering Society	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	New Zealand	Maidstone Park Upper Hutt
Nelson Society of Modellers	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 6 1⁄4 in (159 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Nelson
New Plymouth Society of Model and Experimental Engineers	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	New Zealand	New Plymouth
Tauranga Model Marine and Engineering Clubs	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	New Zealand	Tauranga
Wirral Model Engineers Society	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	UK	Royden Park, Wirral
Canberra Miniature Railway	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	Australia	Canberra, Australia
S.A.S.M.E.E. Park	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	Australia	Adelaide, Australia
Hamilton Model Engineers	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Minogue Park, Hamilton	Founded 1931. At Minogue Park since 1983.
Hawkes Bay Model Engineering Society	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	New Zealand	Napier
Hutt Valley Model Engineering Society	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Lower Hutt
Manukau Live Steamers	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Manukau
Abbeydale miniature railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Sheffield	Raised track: triple 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm), 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) Ground level: dual gauge 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) in
Ashton Court Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Bristol	Raised track: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) Ground level: dual gauge 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Barton House Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Wroxham, Norfolk
Bridgend Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Bridgend
Caldecotte Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire	Caldecotte Miniature Railway has a specially built disabled carriage.
Canvey Railway and Model Engineering Club	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	Canvey Island, Essex	Raised track dual gauge 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Chelmsford City Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Chelmsford	Operated by Chelmsford Society of Model Engineers
Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Yealand Redmayne, Lancashire
Crowborough Miniature Railway	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	East Sussex	Raised track & Ground Track (formally) dual gauge 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Cutteslowe Park Miniature Railway	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	Oxford, Oxfordshire
Derwen Fawr Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	UK	Swansea, Wales	Operated by the Swansea Society of Model Engineers
Keighley & District Model Engineering Society Marley Railway (KDMES)	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	UK	Keighley, West Yorkshire	The KDMES trains operate a 1,200 ft (370 m) scenic oval raised level track located at the Marley Activity Centre in Keighley. The railway is open for public rides during the summer, and available for private functions and corporate events.
Leyland Society of Model Engineers	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) on raised level, and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) ground level	UK	Lancashire
Maidstone Model Engineering Society	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent
Malden and District Society of Model Engineers Ltd	Mixed Gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Thames Ditton, Surrey
Mid Cheshire Society of Model Engineers	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Sandiway, Cheshire
North London Society of Model Engineers (NLSME)	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Hertfordshire
Pembrey Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire
Polegate & District Model Engineering Club (PADMEC)	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	UK	Polegate, East Sussex	Raised track: dual gauge 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Ridgeway Park light railway	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	Chingford, London
Roxbourne Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Roxbourne Park, Field End Rd, Ruislip HA4 9PB	Operated by Harrow and Wembley Society of Model Engineers
Gilling Railway	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Gilling East, Yorkshire	Operated by Ryedale Society of Model Engineers Limited.
Spenborough Model & Experimental Engineers Ltd	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 5LL
Staines Society of Model Engineers	Mixed gauges: 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	UK	Staines Park, Staines, Surrey	Raised track.
Tonbridge Model Engineering Society	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	Kent
Tyneside Society of Model & Experimental Engineers	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Exhibition Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Welling and District Model Engineering Society	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	United Kingdom	Hall Place, Bexley	Opening 2022.
La Cañada Valley Railroad	4 3⁄4 in (121 mm)	US	Flintridge, California	Located at the home of Disney animator Ollie Johnston. Influenced the design of Walt Disney's Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Defunct.
Canberra Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	Canberra
Hornsby Model Engineers, Galston, NSW	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	Galston, New South Wales	5 in (127 mm)
Illawarra Live Steamers	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	North Wollongong	The ground level track is 5 in (127 mm). The elevated track is 5 in (127 mm), 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm). There is also a garden gauge track inside the elevated track.
Northern Districts Model Engineering Society	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	Balcatta, Western Australia	2 1⁄2 in (64 mm), 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm), 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Portarlington Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	Victoria	5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
S.A.S.M.E.E. Park	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	Adelaide
Sydney Live Steam Locomotive Society	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	West Ryde, New South Wales	5 in / 127 mm and 89 mm / 3 1⁄2 in and 64 mm / 2 1⁄2 in
Willans Hill Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	Australia	Wagga Wagga, NSW	Located in Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens. Includes spiral based on Bethungra Spiral.
Petit Train à Vapeur de Forest	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Belgium	Brussels
Stoomgroep Turnhout	5 in (127 mm)	Belgium	Turnhout	5 in (127 mm) ground track
Mini train des marais	Mixed gauge: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	France	Saint-Lô
Petit train des Templiers	Mixed gauge: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	France	Épinay-sur-Orge	Two circuits of 350 meters in 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm). Nine electric locomotives and diesel. Mainly French locomotives. Open some Sundays from March to November.
Anyoji Garden Railway	5 in (127 mm)	Japan	Toyoura, Yamaguchi, Shimonoseki City	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Hakuba Mini Train Park	5 in (127 mm)	Japan	Hakuba, Nagano
Ichikawa Live Steamers	5 in (127 mm)	Japan	Ichikawa, Chiba, Tokyo
Sakuragi Railway	5 in (127 mm)	Japan	Kumamoto City, Kumamoto	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Hitoyoshi Live Steam Club	5 in (127 mm)	Japan	Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto	Mixed gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Stoomgroep West Zuiderpark	5 in (127 mm)	Netherlands	The Hague	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) mixed raised oval.
Eastern Bay of Plenty Model Engineering Society	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Whakatane
Havelock North and Live Steamers Associated	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm)	New Zealand	Havelock North, Hastings
Hawkes Bay Model Engineering Society	5 in (127 mm)	New Zealand	Anderson Park, Napier	3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Palmerston North Model Engineering Club Inc	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Palmerston North
Thames Small Gauge Railway Society	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Thames	Started in 1995 with a station on the site of the Grahamstown station of the Thames Branch.
Whangarei Model Engineering Club	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Whangarei
Ferrocarril de las Delicias	5 in (127 mm)	Spain	Madrid	Located inside Madrid's Railway Museum
Swiss Vapeur Parc	5 in (127 mm)	Switzerland	Le Bouveret	Dual gauge: 7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm and 5 in / 127 mm.
Beech Hurst Park Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Haywards Heath, West Sussex	Raised track dual 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Bushey Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Hertfordshire	A 5 in (127 mm) gauge miniature railway in Bushey, Herts consisting of 230 ft or 70 m ground level track with various sidings and two bridges. A private railway, but viewing and rides are available by appointment.
Canvey Railway and Model Engineering Club	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Canvey Island, Essex	Raised track dual gauge 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm)
Copsewood Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Copsewood Sports Ground, Binley, Coventry	Also 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) & 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauges
Cutteslowe Park Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Oxford, Oxfordshire	Raised & ground level
Dampf-Bahn-Club Sprockhövel	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	GER	Sprockhövel-Haßlinghausen	Includes steel bridge with underpass
East Grinstead Model Engineering Society	5 in (127 mm)	UK	East Grinstead, West Sussex	Portable ground level
Eaton Park Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Norwich	Two lines, one 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) gauge track, one mixed 5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) inch gauge
Leyland Society of Model Engineers	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Lancashire
Maidstone Model Engineering Society	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent
Mount Edgcumbe House Railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Mount Edgcumbe House, Cremyll, Cornwall
Ribble Valley Live Steamers	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Clitheroe, Lancashire	Also 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) & 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) gauges
Ridgeway Park light railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Chingford, London
Riverside Miniature Railway	Mixed gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	St Neots, Cambridgeshire
Ryton Pools Miniature Railway	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Ryton Pools Country Park	Coventry Model Engineering Society. Also 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) gauge.
Spenborough Model & Experimental Engineers Ltd	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 5LL
Wimbourne District Society of Model Engineers	5 in (127 mm)	UK	Dorset	5 in (127 mm) and a short raised level | 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and | 2 1⁄2 in (64 mm) track
Modelbouwvereniging Hoekse Waard	Mixed Gauges: 5 in (127 mm) 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Netherlands	Barendrecht, Zuid-Holland
Altona Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Victoria	5 in / 127 mm and 7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm
Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Victoria	5 in / 127 mm and 7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm
Campbelltown Miniature Passenger Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Victoria
Castledare Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Wilson, Western Australia
Cohunu Park Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Byford, Western Australia
Diamond Valley Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Eltham Victoria	7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm
Canberra Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Canberra
MVRail	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Morphett Vale Railway, Morphett vale, Weatsheaf Rd, South Australia
Central Coast Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Narara, New South Wales	5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Penwood Railroad Inc.		Australia	Jaspers Brush, NSW
Portarlington Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Victoria	5 in (127 mm) and 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
S.A.S.M.E.E. Park	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Adelaide
Willans Hill Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Australia	Wagga Wagga, NSW
Stoomgroep Turnhout vzw	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Belgium	Turnhout
Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Canada	Hamilton, Ontario
Roundhouse Park Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Canada	Toronto	Two locomotives (replica steam with tender and diesel-electric), four passenger cars and one caboose
Nábřeží paromilů dětská železnice	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Czech	Hradec Králové, Bohemia	7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm and 5 in / 127 mm dual gauge
S.M.P.D. Parková dráha Olympia	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Czech	Brno, Moravia	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) + 5 in (127 mm) dual gauge
Finnish Railway Museum	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Finland	Hyvinkää
Petit train de grenade	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	France	Grenade	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Parkbahn Schmiden	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Germany	Fellbach
Hungarian Railway Museum	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Hungary	Budapest
John F. Kennedy Arboretum	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Ireland	Wexford
Akubi Lightweight Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Japan		Previously located in Bentengaoka
Matsudayama Herb Garden	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Japan	Matsuda, Kanagawa	Includes 1/6 scale Romancecar (Odakyu 10000 series HiSE) replica
Lankelz Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Luxembourg	Esch-sur-Alzette, south-eastern Luxembourg
Stoomgroep West Zuiderpark	Ground level gauges: 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) Mixed raised gauges: 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) 5 in (127 mm)	Netherlands	The Hague	A sizeable network in "Zuiderpark", a big city park since 1975 in The Hague. The total length of the 7 1/4" gauge mainline routes combined is estimated at about 5 kilometers. Most of the track has working railway signalling, operated by signal boxes and a working full scale railroad crossing where the 7 1/4" tracks cross multiple (busy) public roads. The 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) gauges are mixed on a raised oval track.
Cambridge Model Engineering Society Inc	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Cambridge
Kapiti Miniature Railway & Associates	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Raumati Marine Gardens, Raumati Beach	5 in / 127 mm and 7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm) dual gauge
Keirunga Park Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Havelock North
Mana Ariki Railway Inc	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Taumaranui
Featherston Miniature Fell Society	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	New Zealand	Featherston, Wairarapa
Pully	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Switzerland
Stainer Liliputbahn AG	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Switzerland	Stein am Rhein
Swiss Vapeur Parc	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	Switzerland	Le Bouveret	Dual gauge: 7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm and 5 in / 127 mm
There and Back Light Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	East Midlands	This railway is entirely portable and can be set up almost anywhere flat. Can be seen at events across the country and uses a Bagnall steam locomotive on a 450 ft (137.2 m) ground level track.
Acton Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Acton London Transport Museum Depot, London
Alexandra Park Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Alexandra Park, Hastings
Millerbeck Light Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Staveley-in-Cartmel, Cumbria	Opened in 1985, privately owned, while opened to the public
Barking Park Light Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK		Re-opened Easter 2009.
Barnards Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK
Barton House Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Wroxham, Norfolk
Beamish Cog Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Beamish Museum, Durham
Beer Heights Light Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Devon
Bekonscot Light Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Buckinghamshire
Bentley Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK
Bents Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Warrington	1982–88
Brockwell Park Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	South London	1951–1961 & 2003–present
Brookside Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Poynton	1988–99; closed Now running again under new management.
Canvey Railway and Model Engineering Club	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Canvey Island, Essex	Ground level
Coate Water Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Coate Water Country Park, Swindon	Combined 7 1⁄4 in / 184 mm and 5 in / 127 mm
Conwy Valley Railway Museum Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) (also 15 in)	UK	Betws-y-Coed, Wales
Cutteslowe Park	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Oxford, Oxfordshire
Danson Park	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Bexleyheath	1946–1948
Dobwalls Forest Railroad	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Cornwall	Closed
Dragon Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Marple, Greater Manchester
Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	East Sussex
East Herts Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Great Amwell near Ware, Hertfordshire
Echills Wood Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Kingsbury Water Park, Warwickshire
Fancott Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Bedfordshire
Foxfield Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK	Stoke-on-Trent
Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK
Great Cockcrow Railway	7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)	UK
Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway		UK	Chester
Guildford Model Engineering Society		UK	Surrey
Halton Miniature Railway Society		UK	Runcorn, Cheshire
High Legh Railway		UK	High Legh Garden Centre, Cheshire
Hollycombe Garden Railway		UK	Iron Hill, Liphook, Hampshire
Ilford & West Essex Model Railway Club		UK	Chadwell Heath
Leyland Society of Model Engineers		UK	Lancashire
Little Orchard Railway		UK	Suffolk
Little Western Railway		UK	Newquay, Cornwall
Lodge Farm Park Miniature Railway		UK	Romford
Mid Cheshire Society of Model Engineers		UK	Sandiway, Cheshire
Fenn Bell Inn Zoo		UK	St. Mary Hoo, Kent
Mizens Railway		UK	Woking, Surrey
Moors Valley Railway		UK	Dorset
Mortocombe Railway		UK	Chilton, Oxfordshire
Museum of Power		UK	Langford, Essex
National Railway Museum		UK	York
Ness Islands Railway		UK	Inverness, Scotland
North London Society of Model Engineers (NLSME)		UK
Parkland Miniature Railway		UK	Hemsby, Norfolk
Pinewood Miniature Railway		UK	Wokingham, Berkshire	Combined and
Plowman's Railroad		UK	Dorset
Porterswick Junction Light Railway		UK	Hidden Valley Discovery Park, Cornwall
Pugneys Light Railway		UK	Wakefield
Ridgeway Park light railway		UK	Chingford, London
Saltwood Miniature Railway		UK	Kent
Sanday Light Railway		UK	Braeswick, Sanday, Orkney
Spenborough Model & Experimental Engineers Ltd		UK	Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
Strand Miniature Railway		UK	Gillingham, Kent
Swanley New Barn Railway		UK	Kent
The Time Machine (Bosworth Line)		UK	Funtington, West Sussex po18-9dh
Thornes Park Miniature Railway		UK	Wakefield, West Yorkshire
South Weber Railroad Club		USA	South Weber, Utah, USA
Thompson Park Railway		UK	Burnley
Wellington Country Park Railway		UK	Berkshire
Welsh Highland Heritage Miniature Railway		UK	Porthmadog, Wales
Weston Park Railway		UK	Shropshire
Willen Miniature Railway		UK	Milton Keynes
Willow Wood Railway		UK	Stowupland, Suffolk
Woodseaves Miniature Railway		UK	Shropshire
Wolds Way Lavender Narrow Gauge Railway		UK	Wintringham, North Yorkshire	Used to transport harvested lavender, logs and passengers
Wythall miniature railway		UK	Worcestershire	It has a multigauge track consisting of , 5 inch and gauge track.
Carolwood Pacific Railroad		US	Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California	Located at the home of Walt Disney. Influenced the design of the Disneyland Railroad. Defunct.
Assiniboine Valley Railway		Canada	Winnipeg, Manitoba
Burnaby Central Railway		Canada	Burnaby, British Columbia
Iron Horse Park Airdrie		Canada	Airdrie, Alberta
Paradise Valley Railway		Canada	Powell River, British Columbia
Alaska Live Steamers		US	Wasilla, Alaska
Annetta Valley & Western Railroad		US	Annetta, Texas
Adobe Mountain Desert Park		US	Phoenix, Arizona
Carillon Park Railroad		US	Carillon Historical Park, Dayton, Ohio
Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad		US	Crews Lake Wilderness Park, Shady Hills, Florida
Colorado Live Steamers		US	Byers, Colorado	Primary gauge is 7 ½ in but also some 4 ¾ in on site
Grand Concourse Railroad		US	Shady Hills, Florida
Great Lakes Live Steamers		US	Royal Oak and Southgate, Michigan
Hesston Steam Museum		US	Hesston, Indiana
Houston Area Live Steamers		US	Hockley, Texas
Illinois Live Steamers		US	Chicago, Illinois
Kitsap Live Steamers		US	Port Orchard, Washington
Lakes Park & Gulf Railroad		US	Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers, Florida
Largo Central Railroad		US	Largo Central Park, Largo, Florida
Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum		US	Los Angeles, California
North Georgia Live Steamers		US	Conyers, Georgia
Orange County Model Engineers		US	Costa Mesa, California
Riverside Live Steamers		US	Riverside, California
Sacramento Valley Live Steamers		US	Rancho Cordova, California	gauge and gauge
Sagebrush Short Line Railroad		US	Ridgecrest, California
Scottsdale Live Steamers		US	McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Scottsdale, Arizona
Sandy Ridge & Clear Lake Railway		US	Battle Creek, Michigan
Shady Dell Pacific		US	Pacific Northwest Live Steamers, Molalla, Oregon
South Coast Railroad Museum		US	Goleta Short Line, Goleta, California
Southern California Live Steamers		US	Wilson Park Torrance, California	Adjacent to Wilson Park
Torrey Pacific Railroad		US	Del Mar, California	Private/defunct; owner died
Tradewinds & Atlantic Railroad		US	Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek, Florida
Train Mountain Railroad		US	Chiloquin, Oregon
Triad Live Steamers		US	Farmington and Harrisburg, North Carolina
Wales West Light Railway		US	Silverhill, Alabama
White Creek Railroad		US	Michigan
Willow Creek Railroad		US	at Antique Powerland, Brooks, Oregon
Holly Tree Railway		UK	at the Holly Tree PH, Leytonstone, London
Bankside Miniature Railway		UK	Brambridge Park Garden Centre, Eastleigh, Hampshire
Faversham Miniature Railway		UK	Brogdale Farm, near Faversham, Kent
Torry Hill Park		UK	Near Frinsted, Kent	Private miniature railway
Becker Farm Railroad		US	Roseland, New Jersey	1938-1972; in storage 1973-1992
Becker Farm Railroad		US	Phillipsburg, New Jersey	1992-Present
Southernmost Southern Railroad		US	Key West, Florida	1965-1970
Key Western Railroad		US	Key West, Florida	1970-1986
Barking Park Miniature Railway		UK	Barking, Essex	Being relaid in gauge, scheduled to reopen Easter 2009
Clevedon Miniature Railway		UK	Clevedon, Somerset	1952–2013
Danson Park		UK	Bexleyheath, Kent	1942 (temporary line for Holidays at Home exhibition); 1949–1962
Downs Light Railway		UK	Colwall, Near Malvern, Worcestershire
East Ham Miniature Railway		UK	East Ham, London	1945–1949
Hall Leys Park		UK	Matlock, Derbyshire
Lakeshore Railroad		UK	South Marine Park, South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Sidcup Miniature Railway		UK	Sidcup, Kent	1945–1951
Fenglin Miniature Railway	254 mm	China	Yingde, Guangdong
Ferrocarril Piedra Baya		Argentina	Province of San Luis
Ferrocarril Económico Sud		Argentina	Province of Buenos Aires
Highfields Pioneer Village Miniature Railway		Australia	Highfields, QLD, 4352.
Palmerston North Esplanade Scenic Railway Inc		New Zealand	Palmerston North, Manawatu
Masterton Miniature Train Society		New Zealand	Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton Wairarapa
Audley End Railway		UK	Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex
Ayton Castle		UK	Ayton, Scottish Borders, Scotland	Opened 2021
Beale Park		UK	Pangbourne, Berkshire
Berkeley Light Railway		UK	Gloucestershire
Bickington Steam Railway		UK	Trago Mills, Liverton, Newton Abbot, Devon
Brechin Castle Centre Railway		UK	Haughmuir, Brechin, Scotland	Defunct
Bressingham Garden Railway		UK	Norfolk
Brooklands Miniature Railway		UK	Brooklands Pleasure Park, Worthing, Sussex	Closed September 2018
Watford Miniature Railway		UK	Cassiobury Park, Watford, Hertfordshire
Chichester & District Society of Model Engineers		UK	Chichester, Sussex
Drayton Manor Miniature Railway		UK	Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire	Closed
Eastleigh Lakeside Railway		UK	Hampshire
Melton Mowbray Miniature Railway		UK	Wilton Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Exmouth Express		UK	Exmouth, Devon
Ferry Meadows Miniature Railway		UK	Nene Park, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Happy Mount Park		UK	Bare, Morecambe, Lancashire
Hastings Miniature Railway		UK	Hastings, Sussex
Isle of Mull Railway		UK	Mull, Scotland
Kerr's Miniature Railway		UK	West Links Park, Arbroath, Scotland	1935–2020.
Kirkby Green Light Railway		UK	Sleaford, Lincolnshire	Private with open days
Knebworth Park Miniature Railway		UK	Hertfordshire
Ropley Miniature Railway		UK	Mid-Hants Railway, Hampshire	Opened 2015
Manor Railway		UK	Ingfield Manor, Billingshurst, Sussex
Mortocombe Railway		UK	Chilton, Oxfordshire
Newby Hall Miniature Railway North Yorkshire		UK
Paignton Zoo		UK	Paignton, Devon	1940–2021.
Paradise Wildlife Park		UK	Broxbourne, Hertfordshire
Pettit's Animal Adventure Park		UK	Reedham, Norfolk
Poole Park Railway		UK	Poole Park, Poole, Dorset	1949–2016, reopened 2017
Radwell Manor Railway		UK	Radwell, Bedfordshire	Closed
Rio Grande Miniature Railway		UK	Selby Road, Garforth, Leeds, UK
Royal Victoria Railway		UK	Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire
Rudyard Lake Steam Railway		UK	Rudyard, near Leek, Staffordshire
Smokey Oak Railway		UK	Woodland Park, Brokerswood, Westbury, Wiltshire
South Downs Light Railway		UK	Pulborough, Sussex
Southsea Miniature Railway		UK	Southsea, Hampshire	Closed 1989
St. Anne's Miniature Railway		UK	St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire
Stapleford Miniature Railway		UK	Stapleford Park, Leicestershire	Private but opens mid-June and August each year
Sutton Hall Railway		UK	Rochford, Essex
Vanstone Woodland Railway		UK	Vanstone Park Garden Centre, Codicote, Hertfordshire
Wat Tyler Miniature Railway		UK	Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Basildon
Wells and Walsingham Light Railway		UK		Smallest gauge used on a minimum gauge railway authorised by a Light Railway Order.
Weymouth Bay Miniature Railway		UK
Wells Harbour Railway		UK	Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk	Closed September 2021,
Wenatchee Riverfront Railway		US	Wenatchee, Washington
Ruislip Lido Railway		UK	Greater London
Argyle & Eastern Railroad at The Toy Train Barn		US	Argyle, Wisconsin
Atchison & Western Railroad		US	Atchison Rail Museum, Atchison, Kansas
C&H Railroad		US	Tecumseh, Kansas
Casey's Silver Streak at Estes Park Ride-A-Kart		US	Estes Park, Colorado
Central Park (San Mateo) Mini Train		US	San Mateo, California
Emerald Hills Railway		US	Emerald Hills, California
Fairview Line at Fair Oaks		US	Gadsden, Alabama	Private
Folsom Valley Railway		US	Folsom, California
Little Falls Railroad and Doll Museum		US	Sparta, Wisconsin	Private
Midway Shortline Railroad		US	S & S Shortline Railroad Park and Museum, Farmington, Utah
Northview and Frisco Railroad		US	Northview, Missouri	Private
Rails of Fun		US	St. Louis, Missouri	Portable amusement business for events
Rothwell Park Railroad		US	Moberly, Missouri	Club/members only
Poco Loco Railroad		US	LaPorte, Indiana
Sierra Rainier Railroad		US	Orting, Washington	Defunct/closed. Private. Very few records exist.
Sonora Short Line Railway		US	Tuolumne, California	Defunct/closed. Private. Very few records exist.
Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railway		US	Missouri
Washington Stage Theater		US	La Porte, Indiana	Private
Watson Steam Train & Depot		US	Missouri Valley, IA
Zilker Zephyr		US	Zilker Park, Austin, Texas	Damaged by storms and without a current operator; subject of lawsuits
Exbury Gardens Steam Railway		UK	Beaulieu, Hampshire
Exmoor Steam Railway		UK	Bratton Fleming, Devon	Closed to the public in 2001
Fairbourne Railway		UK	Gwynedd, Wales	Originally 15 in gauge
Hotham Park Miniature Railway		UK	Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Littlehampton Miniature Railway		UK	Littlehampton, West Sussex
Newchapel, Horne & Burstow Grand Junction Railway		UK	Horne, Horley, Surrey
Mease Valley Light Railway		UK	Tamworth, Staffordshire	Opened in 2023 at the Statfold Barn Railway.
Midland Beach Railway Company		US	Midland Beach, Staten Island, New York	Defunct
Zoo Train, DierenPark Amersfoort		Netherlands
Adventure City Express Train		US	Adventure City, Anaheim, California
Hesston Steam Museum		US	Hesston, Indiana
Kiddieland Limited		US	Kiddieland Amusement Park, Melrose Park, Illinois	Defunct
Riverside Express		US	Castle Park, Riverside, California
Pine Valley Miniature Railway	Mixed Gauge: 21⁄2 in (64 mm) 31⁄2 in (89 mm)	Australia	Warner, Queensland
Model Park Denmark		Denmark	Modelparken Danmark, Viby J, Egå
Brandhøjbanendk, at Hedeland veteran railwaydk	Mixed Gauge: 51⁄32(145 mm)	Denmark	Hedeland veteran railway, Hedehusene, Høje-Taastrup	, there are also one at Denmark's railway museum in Odense and one at the Tramway Museum Skjoldenæsholm and many other model-miniature railways in Denmark and Model lane Europe and many others.
Ascot Locomotive Society	Mixed Gauge: 21⁄2 in (64 mm) 31⁄2 in (89 mm)	UK	Ascot, Berkshire	Large track layout with working turntable adjacent to Ascot Racecourse
Descanso Railroad		US	La Cañada Flintridge, California

Gallery

• Ridable miniature railways
• 
  Miniature railway ride in West Ryde, Australia in 2007
• 
  Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
• 
  There and Back Light Railway at Rushden
• 
  There and Back Light Railway at Burghley
• 
  Miniature train in Bankstown, NSW

See also

• Backyard railroad
• British narrow-gauge railways
• Children's railway
• Decauville
• Rail transport modelling scales
• Train ride

Bibliography

• Broggie, Michael (2014), Walt Disney's Railroad Story: The Small-Scale Fascination That Led to a Full-Scale Kingdom (4th ed.), The Donning Company Publishers, ISBN 978-1-57864-914-3 

External links

• Grand Scales Quarterly, the US magazine of grand scale railroading
• Miniature Railway World
• Live Steam Tracks
• Britains Great Little Railways
• There and Back Light Railway
• City of Oxford Society of Model Engineers
• 7¼ Inch Gauge Society
• Model Engineering Association of New Zealand