Ruislip Lido Railway is located 14 miles northwest of London and marks Britain’s longest 12″ gauge railway, which runs around the delightful Lido. Journeys begin at the car park’s Willow Lawn Station and travel through woodland to the Lido’s beach and Woody Beach station.
Recently, Willow Lawn station gardens have undergone a makeover in front of the tearoom and now allow visitors to enjoy the views of Willow Lawn whilst having a nice cup of coffee or delicious ice cream.
The site has seen high fencing, which restricted views removed and much more visually attractive low-level fencing, which allows a fantastic vista of the railway’s activity. The new fencing also allows closer access to the track, supporting children to get close to the railway’s turntable.
Future plans for the railways involve the addition of picnic benches, which will further enhance the railways waiting area which has seen new benches added as part of the make-over.
Ruislip Lido Railway’s trains are all accessible for wheelchair users and those travelling with pushchairs.
The railway is served by 6 locomotives, including:
- No. 3, Robert – a diesel-hydraulic locomotive built by Severn Lamb Ltd in 1973
- No. 5, Lady of the Lakes – a diesel mechanical locomotive built by the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway in 1986
- No. 6, Mad Bess – a steam locomotive (oil-fired – due to possible fire risk in the woods) built by Ruislip Lido Railway Society from 1986 to 1998
- No. 7, Graham Alexander – a diesel mechanical locomotive built by the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway in 1990
- No. 8, Bayhurst – a diesel mechanical locomotive built by the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway in 2003
- No. 9, John Rennie – a diesel mechanical locomotive built by the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway in 2004
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