MILLERBECK LIGHT RAILWAY

What is Millerbeck Light Railway?

Captain Hook

The privately owned Millerbeck Light Railway is situated in the grounds of Millerbeck House, in the Lakeland village of Staveley-in-Cartmel, a few minutes from Newbey Bridge, and a quarter of a mile south of Lake Windermere and the National Trust property of Fell Foot Park in Cumbria. Although normally only the private home of the owners, they and their friends, do open the railway to the general public on an occasional basis throughout the year. Often called 'Lakeland's Best Kept Secret ', this stunning and well respected railway is well worth a visit!

Another busy day for Captain Hook, here seen crossing the bridge with his passengers

When are we open?

The Millerbeck Light Railway is privately owned and opens to the public on several dates throughout the year to give our visitors the chance to ride this famous railway and enjoy its stunning surroundings. Only a nominal charge is made for rides which goes to help with for its' maintenance costs - please consult our current list of published dates for further details.
 
If you would like our latest leaflet and opening times please send a cheque or postal order for the sum of £1.00 (one pound) to Millerbeck Light Railway, Millerbeck House, Staveley in Cartmel, Cumbria LA12 8NH

Background and basic technical information

The Millerbeck Light Railway runs through meadows and woodlands, crossing the Miller Beck several times as it twists and turns on varying 'gradients' of up to 1 in 50 during its journey of around a mile. Construction was started in 1985 by the then owner Arthur Bailey and a group of three local friends, as a private railway to a track gauge measurement between the rails of 7.25 inch. This is one of several gauges for miniature railways, ranging from 3.5 inch to 18 inch gauge, but 7.25 inch gauge is regarded as the most practical of the smaller gauges, where a person can actually sit 'in' as opposed to 'on' both the carriages and locomotives.
 
This railway is modelled as a 'narrow gauge' railway, with differing sizes of steam, diesel or electric locomotives, similar to the 'small railways of Wales' that ran in the quarries and mines. However the gauge does not prevent miniature models of 'standard gauge' (4ft 8.5 inch) main line locos running also. Their scale of build just makes them look smaller!
 
In 1990 the Railway hosted the 7.25 inch gauge Society's A.G.M. with over 50 locomotives visiting from all over Europe, but not all on the track at the same time! This was repeated in 2005 under the present ownership with around 70 engines arriving. Usually the railway likes to run 4 or 5 passenger trains at a time, giving visitors a long ride of about 12 to 15 minutes around the track, but you will sometimes see goods trains running too.
The herd of Alpacas are an added attraction, often with babies (crias) to be seen as you travel.

On Open Days: - Departures start at 11:00 am with last train at 5:00 pm

See a video of the Millerbeck Light Railway (9.5 MB)

Go To This Years Open Day Calender

Maintaining the Railway

A railway requires constant maintenance of the track, signals, bridges and buildings, as well as the rolling stock and locomotives. M.L.R. is run by the owners and a group of 'friends', mowing grass, levelling track, oiling points, repairing & painting. There are signalmen, station staff, yard masters, drivers and guards all enjoying the camaraderie of running a small railway and of course, just sitting back and enjoying the view, smells and sounds of running this 'little piece of fairyland'.
 
In 2001 the house and grounds where put up for sale with the likely event of the railway being ripped up and abandoned. Luckily Arnold & Judith Gorse, with their daughter Laura, bought the estate, so the railway can once more enjoy a certain future. Not everybody is an engineer or owns their own loco, but each contributes in their own way, usually on Sundays throughout the year.

The photo on the right shows the Millerbeck station and booking office on an open day.

Photo above - Jack under load crossing two-span bridge

Some more of our hard working engines

Joanie and Peter Pan

Peter Pan (left) waits for passengers whilst Joanie waits for clearance to proceed down the main line.

Hunslet Engine
'Laura'

The picture on the left shows Laura the engine on her "naming day". Why not come and see Laura and all her little friends on our next open day.