Our railways
What better way to explore the beautiful gardens, grounds and countryside of Bressingham than by climbing aboard a fabulous steam engine. With more than three miles of narrow-gauge steam lines and four different railway journeys to choose from, it's the perfect way to relax and enjoy the scenery. Take a look at the videos below to see what's in store on each of our four lines.
Please check the timetable or call us to find out our operating programme to see what is running on the day of your visit. All railway journeys at the museum depart and arrive on the main site. There are no stops or stations on route.
The Fen Railway (formerly The Nursery Railway)
The Fen Railway runs along a one-and-a-half mile track through the countryside and fenland around Bressingham's site.
Previously called The Nursery Railway, this line was built in the 1960s and got its name as it travelled through a large horticultural nursery owned and run by Bressingham's founder Alan Bloom. Unfortunately the nursery closed in 2011 and so we renamed the line The Fen Railway, reflecting the view passengers see from the train.
The current landowners are turning some of the land back to managed natural habitat, with help from Bressingham volunteers who have removed disused polytunnels and replaced them with new shrubs, trees and hedgerows.
A journey on The Fen Railway takes about 15 minutes.
The Garden Railway
This 10¼" gauge railway is the smallest gauge railway at the museum. Designed and built by Bressingham's own engineering team, the line's locomotive is named Alan Bloom - in recognition of the museum's founder - and pulls up to to three carriages. The locomotive was modelled on the Hunslet Engine company's Quarry design with modifications to suit The Garden Railway,
The Waveney Valley Railway
Trains on the 15" gauge Waveney Valley Railway leave Lakeside Station travelling east and through the Waveney valley. It's a popular trip with our visitors, as in the middle of the journey the Waveney Valley and Fen railways cross over, and passengers wave to each other before heading off in different directions. The line runs through banks of mature rhododendrons towards the end of the journey just before it meets the the standard gauge railway. On days when the Standard Gauge Railway is running, both trains race each other back to the station.
The Standard Gauge Railway
The Standard Gauge Railway operates during special events and occasions on a quarter-of-a-mile demonstration line, some of which runs parallel with The Waveney Valley Railway.
