Heritage Railways
Travel back in time, on a heritage railway line. Experience railway scenes of the past as you step on a train hauled by a steam locomotive and learn how people travelled by train in times gone by.
Whether you’re an avid fan of living history or would like to plan a unique day out for the whole family, the nation’s heritage railway lines can’t wait to welcome you on-board.
CrossCountry links with more heritage railways and living railway museums than any other UK train operator. You’ll journey past eye-catching Victorian buildings through a variety of landscapes, including coastal, countryside and historic while riding behind beautiful steam engines or powerful heritage diesel locomotives in spacious, lovingly restored carriages.
And with exciting extras like dining trains for a delicious Sunday lunch or driver experience packages, (and for the less adventurous you can enjoy a ‘driver’s eye view’ from heritage diesel railcars), there’s sure to be something to keep everyone entertained. To learn more view the Heritage Railway Association website.
They’re all within easy reach of the CrossCountry network. For more information take a look at the links below.
| Heritage Railway | Nearest CrossCountry Station | Description |
| Avon valley Railway | Bristol Temple Meads | Educational steam railway with a station-based traditional 'Buffet' and hosting special themed events year-round. |
| Battlefield Railway | Hinckley | Be transported back in time on a historical journey near the site of the Battle of Bosworth in rural Leicestershire. |
| Bodmin & Wenford Railway | Bodmin Parkway | Interchange at Bodmin Parkway for Steam and Heritage Diesel trains along a scenic Cornish branch line via historic Bodmin. |
| Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway | Edinburgh Waverley | A Heritage Railway experience with a distinctly Scottish flavour and coastline views. |
| Caledonian Railway | Montrose | Heritage steam and diesel train rides along a 4-mile Aberdeenshire branch line. |
| Dartmouth Steam Railway & Riverboat Company | Paignton | Interchange at Paignton for a combined steam train, boat trip and paddle steamer experience on the glorious South Devon Coast. |
| Dean Forest Railway | Lydney | Interchange at Lydney for a ride through beautiful Forest of Dean woodland and countryside at the pace of a steam branch line. |
| Didcot Railway Centre | Oxford or Reading | A Living Steam Museum - explore the unique collection of GWR steam locomotives, carriages and 1930s railway workshops. |
| East Lancs Railway | Manchester Piccadilly | 12.5-mile heritage line from Heywood and Bury in Greater Manchester to Rawtenstall in Lancashire. |
| Ecclesbourne Valley Railway | Derby | Scenic Derbyshire branch line to the historic market town of Wirksworth, gateway to the Peak District. |
| Foxfield Railway | Stoke-on-Trent | Steam trains on a preserved former industrial line near Stoke on Trent built in 1893 to serve collieries in the Cheadle coalfield. |
| Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway | Cheltenham Spa | A scenic trip of over 14-mile line along the Gloucestershire / Warwickshire border of the beautiful Cotswolds. |
| Great Central Railway (Loughborough) | Derby or Leicester | The UK's only double-track main line heritage railway. Experience Express-steam locomotives passing on a main line! |
| Great Central Railway (Nottingham) | Nottingham | Nottinghamshire's heritage railway and transport museum with almost 10 miles of railway in south Notts and Leics. |
| Keighley & Worth Valley Railway | Leeds | 5 mile line from Keighley to Oxenhope in Bronte country, most famous for it's role in the 1970 Railway Children film. |
| Mid Hants Railway (the Watercress Line) | Winchester | Experience the sight and sounds of steam locomotives working hard up gradients on Hampshire's Watercress line. |
| Mid Norfolk Railway | Ely | Heritage train rides across scenic Norfolk countryside to the market town of Dereham. |
| Midland Railway Centre (Butterley) | Derby | A great Midland Railway themed day out for all the family. Heritage train rides transport you to a byegone era. |
| National Railway Museum | York | Home to iconic locomotives and carriages celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways. |
| Nene Valley Railway | Peterborough | A leisurely steam train ride with views of the River Nene and heritage railway buildings at Wansford. |
| North Yorkshire Moors Railway | Darlington | Steam and heritage diesel trains through spectacular Yorkshire Moors landscape and the coast at historic Whitby. |
| Peak Rail | Derby | Heritage steam and diesel train rides between the Derbyshire Dales and the edge of the Peak District at Rowsley. |
| Severn Valley Railway | Birmingham New Street | Every journey ends with a memory on one of the UK's most scenic and long-established heritage railways. |
| South Devon Railway | Totnes | Seven mile former Great Western country branch line along the stunning Dart valley to historic Buckfastleigh. |
| Stephenson Steam Railway | Newcastle | Heritage working steam railway museum and historic railway workshops in North Tyneside. |
| Swanage Railway | Bournemouth | Enjoy an intensive steam and heritage diesel train service through idyllic Dorset countryside and coast. |
| Weardale Railway | Darlington | 18 mile heritage line from the outskirts of Bishop Auckland in Co. Durham to Eastgate in Weardale. |
| West Somerset Railway | Taunton | At 20 miles, the UK's longest heritage railway through glorious Somerset countryside and coast to seaside town Minehead. |