Leighton Buzzard Railway
The Leighton Buzzard Railway is one of the few surviving narrow-gauge light railways in England. It was built in 1919, using materials and equipment that were surplus from the War Department Light Railways that had supplied the battlefields in World War 1.
Originally built to serve the local sand quarrying industry, the railway has carried a passenger service, mostly hauled by historic steam engines, since 1968. It is operated by the volunteer members of a non-profit society.
The track is 2 foot (610mm) gauge, and the return journey--from Page's Park on the edge of Leighton Buzzard to Stonehenge Works in the Bedfordshire countryside--takes 70 minutes.
Venue Type:
Transport heritage site, Association or society, Museum, Industrial heritage site, Heritage site
The railway was originally built to carry sand from the extensive quarries to the north of Leighton Buzzard, and the collection of locomotives, wagons and quarry machinery reflects this heritage.
The military connection cannot be forgotten, either, and one of the stars of the collection is an armoured petrol locomotive, built for the trenches, and now on loan from the National Railway Museum. Similar machines hauled sand trains at Leighton Buzzard until the 1950s.
Working displays take place regularly during the operating season, while other items are on static display.
Collection details
Industry, Land Transport, Weapons and War
Getting there
From the A505 Leighton Buzzard Southern Bypass, follow the brown steam-train signs along Billington Road, and our station is on the right, alongside the public park of the same name.
Leighton Buzzard main-line station is on the other side of town, Local Arriva bus service D1 runs from the main-line station and town centre to Page's Park, but not on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Ask for the "Narrow Gauge Railway" stop.
Leighton Buzzard Railway
Page's Park Station
Billington Road
Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire
LU7 4TN
England
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