Audley End Railway

10+1⁄4 in (260 mm)Preserved operationsStations1Length1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km)Preserved gauge10+1⁄4 in (260 mm)Commercial historyOpened1964Preservation history1963Building commences1964Line opens1979Line extended to its present length.WebsiteAudley End Railway

The Audley End Miniature Railway is a miniature railway in Essex, England.

Overview

The 10+1⁄4 in (260 mm)-gauge circuit was built by Lord Braybrooke and was opened on 16 May 1964 by famous racing driver Sir Stirling Moss. The railway runs for 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) through woodland adjacent to Audley End House, former home of the Braybrookes, now in the ownership of English Heritage.^[1]

The woodland contains a large number of teddy bears and other soft toys arranged in displays. The line has two tunnels and crosses the River Cam and River Fulfen. The bridge across the Cam retains the original World War II pillbox.

The site is also home to the Saffron Walden & District Society of Model Engineers who run short circular 3+1⁄2 in (89 mm), 5 in (127 mm) and 7+1⁄2 in (190.5 mm) tracks at both raised and ground levels on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months.^[2]

In January 2019 the railway's owners announced the sale of nine locomotives, including four by David Curwen, to “raise £180,000 and secure the railway's future”.^[3] The auction by Dreweatt's was scheduled for 12 March 2019.^[4]

References

• Lord Braybrooke, Audley End Railway 2004

External links

• Official web site