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Heritage line with steepest gradient.

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Gooner18

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For me personally nothing beats the sounds of a steam engine or indeed a heritage Derv working hard on a steep gradient. It’s my main reason to visit a heritage line to hear the engine working hard.
What are the lines with the best gradients where the engines really have to work. Ones in Southeast preferably but will travel far and wide. I’m guessing the watercress line is close to the top ?
 
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Iskra

Iskra

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Churnet Valley is the best experience I’ve found, for overall length and duration.

I do like the climb out of Keighley on the KWVR too though. NYMR isn’t bad at Goathland too. Severn Valley at Eardington bank as well.
 
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AndrewE

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SuspectUsual

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Nothing to beat what's been mentioned, but an honourable mention to the "ski jump" on the ELR which is 1:36 one one side and 1:41 on the other

Also, no idea how steep it is, but the branch up to Big Pit on the Blaenavon certainly *looks* steep
 
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alexross42

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The Bodmin railway, on the climb from Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General has gradients as steep as 1 in 37 along with tight curves and great views out along the Glyn valley - engines definitely work hard and it's highly recommended to visit!
 
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midwalesstokie

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In the South East the Mid Hants (1in60), Bluebell (1in75) and Kent and East Sussex (1in50) are where you should head. Other notable mentions are Pontypool and Blaenavon (1in24 - gala next weekend) and Welshpool and Llanfair (1in29).
 
158760

158760

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midwalesstokie said:
In the South East the Mid Hants (1in60), Bluebell (1in75) and Kent and East Sussex (1in50) are where you should head. Other notable mentions are Pontypool and Blaenavon (1in24 - gala next weekend) and Welshpool and Llanfair (1in29).
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The Bluebell’s steepest grade is actually 1/55 at Imberhorne - it’s 1/55 up one side and 1/61 down the other!
 
Cowley

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Goodrington to Churston on the Dartmouth Steam Railway is a pretty decent climb, with much of it being between 1 in 70 to 1 in 60.

Going the other way from Britannia Halt to Greenway Tunnel, I think there’s bits of that that are 1 in 60 as well.
 
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brstd4260

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Fawley Hill Railway nr Henley(on Thames). The hill from our valley line reaches 1in 14, rising to 1 in 13 for a short distance. Somewhat challenging for any visiting locos but our 0-6-0 Robert McAlpine 31 comes really well albeit with a LOT of noise and smoke. We're not open to the public directly but have 6 or 7 invitation Days a year where if you contact us you can get invitations
 
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John Webb

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Gooner18 said:
For me personally nothing beats the sounds of a steam engine or indeed a heritage Derv working hard on a steep gradient. It’s my main reason to visit a heritage line to hear the engine working hard.
What are the lines with the best gradients where the engines really have to work. Ones in Southeast preferably but will travel far and wide. I’m guessing the watercress line is close to the top ?
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Are you wishing to be on a train on the gradient, or watching the train from somewhere near the line?

For being on a train the North Yorkshire Moors line at 1:49 from near Grosmont to Goathland for 2.5 miles probably is the most sustained effort on a heritage railway and can also be seen from numerous public footpaths in the area.

The quarter-mile ascent out of Keighley on the Worth Valley line starts at 1:66, steepens to 1:55 and is accentuated by the sharp bend. There is a steep stepped footpath to the side of the line which gives a good lineside view.

Bodmin and Wenford Railway has several short sections at 1:40 or 1:45 and a very short section at 1:37.
Kent and East Sussex has nearly a mile of 1:50/53 on the approach to Tenterden Town station.
Tanfield Railway has relatively short sections varying between 1:36 to 1:60.
 
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cats_five

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Gooner18 said:
For me personally nothing beats the sounds of a steam engine or indeed a heritage Derv working hard on a steep gradient. It’s my main reason to visit a heritage line to hear the engine working hard.
What are the lines with the best gradients where the engines really have to work. Ones in Southeast preferably but will travel far and wide. I’m guessing the watercress line is close to the top ?
Click to expand...

Are you wanting it's standard or narrow gauge? Or simply steep, regardless!
 
bramling

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brstd4260 said:
Fawley Hill Railway (nr Henley-on-Thames), has a gradient of 1 in 14 rising to 1 in 13 for a short distance. A real challenge for visiting locos, but our resident 0-6-0 Robert McAlpine 31 comes up really well, albeit with a LOT of noise and smoke. We're not open to the public per se but have 6 or 7 invitation days a year for anyone interested
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I’d definitely second Fawley Hill. Fascinating place, and the museum is absolutely fantastic.
 
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172007

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Gooner18 said:
For me personally nothing beats the sounds of a steam engine or indeed a heritage Derv working hard on a steep gradient. It’s my main reason to visit a heritage line to hear the engine working hard.
What are the lines with the best gradients where the engines really have to work. Ones in Southeast preferably but will travel far and wide. I’m guessing the watercress line is close to the top ?
Click to expand...
Heritage Derv! Surely heritage railways pay tax on there diesal fuel?
 
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Gooner18

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Thank you for all the suggestions, it would be riding in the train , preferably standard gauge.
I’ve done the watercress line , the engine certain work hard coming out of Alton and heading to Medstead.
Epping and ongar is ok , a nice enough railway but there is not much to do or see there.
Bluebell is decent but it did not feel like the Engine was working as hard or long as on the watercress ( could be just me on that )

I’ll have to try KESR and hopefully visit Fawley Hill

I want to visit East Somerset and also Swanage too

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

172007 said:
Heritage Derv! Surely heritage railways pay tax on there diesal fuel?
Click to expand...
I’m not sure. I would imagine it’s red diesel
 
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philthetube

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the Vale of Rheidol Railway at 1 in 40 at its steepest and climbing from end to end would be a good one for you.
 
Cowley

Cowley

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philthetube said:
the Vale of Rheidol Railway at 1 in 40 at its steepest and climbing from end to end would be a good one for you.
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That’s a great line to hear a small loco working hard for a long period of time. Fantastic scenery too on the upper reaches.
 
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