Wells to Walsingham.

[steam for ever]

One of the most amazing miniature railways I have been on that can rival Brookside is the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway.

The line was set up by an old Army colonel along with the mile long beach railway at Wells Next the sea.

At 10.25 inch gauge it was at first mocked by people with the beleif that four miles would be too long for such a small gauge. This was proved wrong as the line is still going strong and could well get a second steam loco very soon.

My advice is to start at the Walsingham end which is better for parking.
A car park just down the road from the W&WLR is the closest to the railway.
Across from this car park is the original Walsingham station with platform still in tact.
The road now covers this section and prevents extension but means that you can drive right past the ferfectly preserved platform face and building- now a house.

The new station is single plaform with a shelter. You may not think this is much but the base is at the Wells end.
The main loco is the blue garratt of which here is a pic:

http://www.railwayforum.net/gallery/...imageuser=2932

Now you set off along the route most likely in a covered coach.
On the way you go over several level crossings many of which are for farm access however one is a B road.

On the way there are several standrd gauge stations including Wighton halt and Warham station. The platforms survive at both locations.

There used to be a halt for the present line along the route but now this is closed.
At Wells there is the engine sheds and shop and a small museum.
A full size signal box is in operation here.

Here is a website for you:
http://www.wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk/index.html

Hope thats OK for you.
I should also mention a Teashop at Wells. There is a new carpark at Wells but Walsingham is still advised for less stress!

Hope you like the new guide to the miniatures. I travel on them first so as to get all info correct.

Ratings for this line? 9/10 fantastic!

[Dave Rowland]

That Garrett's an impressive little loco!

[steam for ever]

Oh and why 9/10? Not much to do at Walsingham end. Another reason to start here so there is something to look forward to when you get to the other end.
More of a destination if you see what I mean.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by steam for ever

Oh and why 9/10? Not much to do at Walsingham end.

There might be if you were religious !

http://www.walsingham.org.uk/

[steam for ever]

Ah I thought it was the other walsingham.
Bu not much to do I mean for the enthusiast.
If you go on holiday here (pre65 you can have a day out you lucky man) Walsingham seems nice enough to stay at.
Again it is for reasons such as how busy Wells next the sea is.
The mile ong beach railway looks good as i was taking my nephew to the beach that day but we ran out of time. Not much for enthusiasts but a train ride by the sea is good enough and with the W&WLR not far off that isn't needed.

The main loco is of steam outline but is internal combustion of some sort.
Same gauge as W&WLR.
I know all this as the road follows the route.
Nice line by all means but maybe a shelter wouldn't go unnoticed.

This sister line gets 6/10.
Great but needs shelter for those summer showers and a bit of steam too please.

Next review: Grosvenor park railway in chester.
Why am I doing this? We know of the bigger lines but these are some of the less well known. It feels good discovering railways and narrow gauge is often less well thought of by enthusiasts- but you never know until you try.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by steam for ever

If you go on holiday here (pre65 you can have a day out you lucky man) .

Indeed, although I've never actually seen the W & W LR railway myself.

Normally it's a walk from Wells to the beach and back (alongside the "little" railway) then on to see the North Norfolk Railway at Weybourne.

I like Weybourne, its a typical country station and I could spend hours there just soaking up the atmosphere on a sunny day.