new narrow gauge

[terryb]

help & advice needed on setting up a new narrow gauge railway.
we are a museum in east kent that would love to set up an operational narrow gauge. we have ample acreage, and not choosy about tractive power, but would like advice on suppliers on track, stock, etc. Aprreciate any pointers you can give.
terry

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Do you have any preferences as regards track gauge?

Be a bit of a difference between, say, 15 inch (Ravenglass & Eskdale) and three foot gauge (Isle of Man Steam Railway).

Also, have any existing narrow gauge operators had a substantial track relaying programme in the past few years / decade? Might be worth getting in touch with them for a few pointers.

Believe the Snowdon Mountain railway is currently part closed for track renewal work on the top part of their line.

 

[terryb]

ideally 2' or metre gauge,not scale stock or loco, perhaps ww1 trench railway? something of fairly light construction.
visited a couple of local ones this afternoon
terry

 

[edwin_m]

If you keep the gauge below 350mm and don't cross a public road then you are exempt from the ROGS regulations: https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-02/rogs-guidance.pdf

The Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 include general duties to manage safety, assess risks, co-operate with other duty holders, make sure staff are trained and have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and so on. Transport systems or parts of transport systems that are not included in ROGS still have to meet these general duties.

 

[Llanigraham]

I would suggest talking to other narrow gauge or minature lines in your area, such as
Old Kiln Railway, Farnham,
Great Cockcrow Rlwy, Chertsey,
Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Rlwy, Feltham
Sittingbourne & Kemsley, Sittingbourne,
Bredgar & Wormshill Rlwy, Sittingbourne.

They will be aware of all the problems you will come across and may be willing to advise you of how to go about things.
You should also consider contacting the Heritage Railway Assoc for their advise.

 

[Flying Phil]

I would suggest contacting the Mountsorrel Heritage Centre as they have recently constructed a narrow gauge railway around their site. Mr Steve Cramp has organised a lot of the project I believe.

 

[ac6000cw]

Might also be worth visiting and/or making contact with Bressingham Steam and Gardens near Diss, Norfolk - they have reasonable length (up to 1.5 miles) 10 ¼ inch, 15 inch and 2 foot gauge track loops on different routes around the site, plus a short 1/4 mile standard gauge line, and a reasonable stud of steam locos (some old, some bought new and a few home-built) and I think at least one diesel.

https://www.bressingham.co.uk/explore/the-railways.aspx

 

[Cowley]

@terryb - Thinking about it there might be some quite useful information in this recent thread actually:

What defines a heritage railway (as opposed to a fairground ride)

Apologies for this slightly bizarre thread title, but the recent discussions over heritage railways becoming effectively ‘fairground rides’ with regards to set itineraries etc got me thinking, where is the line actually crossed between a railway which is governed by ORR/light railway order and a...

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