Standard Gauge RailwaysEast Lancashire Railway - Bury
Originally opened as the East Lancashire Railway in 1846, this line is now operated by a preservation group and trains have been running since 1987.
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North West
Steam and similar attractions are well represented in the North West. They are mostly concentrated in two areas - Cumbria and Lancashire.
The narrow gauge Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is probably the best known centre. Its 7 mile track is well worth a visit.
Further south, you will find a cluster of locations around Blackpool, Preston and Southport. The Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway has been given a massive overhaul, with new stations, trams, etc. But the heritage trams are still used on a regular basis. Elsewhere in the area, a plethora of miniature railways is dotted along the coast. There's even a railway along the length of Southport Pier.
Away from the coast, you can find locations such as the Ribble Steam Railway. It's a stone's throw from the rumbling traffic of today's motorway.
Eden Valley Railway - Appleby
This railway line, originally opened in 1862, has been running trains along a short length of track since 2006.
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Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - Ulverston
This railway line, originally opened in 1869, has been run by a preservation group since 1973 along the steep gradient section from Haverthwaite.
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Ribble Steam Railway - Preston
The Ribble Steam Railway opened in 2005 and as well as housing the railway collection from the now-closed Southport Railway Museum, it operates steam-hauled trains along part of the Preston Docks line.
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West Coast Railways - Carnforth
West Coast Railways runs the famous, award winning Jacobite steam train in Scotland which was voted Top Rail Journey in The World 2009, 2010 & 2011 by Wanderlust Magazine. In addition The Scarborough Spa Express runs through the spectacular Yorkshire countryside during the summer months.
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Narrow Gauge RailwaysEaton Hall Railway - Chester
Originally built in 1895 for the 1st Duke of Westminster, the railway was reinstated in 1996, using a replica of the first steam loco.
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Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - Ravenglass
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, originally opened in 1875, was rescued by a group of railway enthusiasts in 1960 and the line now transports tourists along its 7 mile route.
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South Tynedale Railway - Alston
This branch line,from Haltwhistle to Alston, on the North Eastern Railway was opened in 1852. A narrow gauge track was laid on part of the old trackbed and tourists are now transported on England's highest narrow gauge railway.
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West Lancashire Light Railway - Preston
This narrow gauge line, founded in 1967 by six schoolboys, started operating steam trains in 1980.
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Miniature RailwaysAllostock Miniature Railway - Knutsford
The Allostock Miniature Railway runs in the grounds of the garden centre.
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Crewe Heritage Centre - Crewe
This railway restoration centre at any time houses a changing collection of varied locomotives awaiting repair, as well as artefacts and a passenger-carrying miniature railway.
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Dragon Miniature Railway - Stockport
This miniature railway was opened in 1999 and takes passengers through a wooded area of the Marple Garden Centre.
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Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway - Chester
This miniature railway was opened in 1996 to celebrate the centenary of the Duke of Westminster's railway at nearby Eaton Hall.
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Halton Miniature Railway - Runcorn
Running with Town Park, this miniature railway opened in 1979.
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High Legh Railway - Knutsford
This miniature railway runs in the grounds of High Legh Garden Centre.
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Lakeside Miniature Railway - Southport
This seaside miniature railway was opened in 1911 and the line transports visitors to the pier and the beach.
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Pleasure Beach Express - Blackpool
This miniature railway was built in 1933 and runs within the grounds of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
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St Annes Miniature Railway - Blackpool
This miniature railway, dating from the 1970s, operates through sand dunes and around a miniature golf course.
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Windmill Farm Railway - Ormskirk
This miniature railway, built by Austin Moss, opened in 1997 and operates from Windmill Farm station to Lakeview station where there is a picnic area.
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Other RailwaysBlackpool & Fleetwood Tramway - Blackpool
Blackpool's tramway has been upgraded with track replaced, platforms upgraded and the purchase of 16 new trams. Some of the old fleet has been still operates between the Pleasure Beach and Cleveleys during the summer months.
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MuseumsAstley Green Colliery Museum - Tyldesley
This museum operates on a former colliery site close to the Bridgewater Canal.
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Museum of Liverpool - Liverpool
This museum houses various locos and rolling stock including "Lion" star of the 1952 film "The Titfield Thunderbolt".
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Museum of Science and Industry - Manchester
This museum in housed in the original station buildings of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway and on display is an extensive collection of railway exhibits, all built in Manchester.
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Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum - Keswick
Originally opened in the 1870s to supply granite ballast for the Penrith to Keswick Railway, this museum is located in the quarry site and a narrow gauge railway in also run within the site.
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This narrow gauge railway runs through wild animal paddocks.