Name: East Herts Miniature Railway
Rating: 5.0

East Herts Miniature Railway

East Herts Miniature Railway, Pepper Hill, Great Amwell, Ware, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

East Herts Miniature Railway is a 7¼-inch gauge miniature railway located in the Hertfordshire countryside at Great Amwell near Ware. Established for over 40 years, it is run entirely by passionate volunteers who maintain and operate the railway for family enjoyment. Situated within the grounds of the Van Hage Garden Centre, it is a popular weekend attraction for children and adults alike.

Visitors can enjoy rides behind a variety of detailed locomotives, including steam, petrol, diesel, and battery-electric engines. Popular engines such as Samson, which resembles Thomas the Tank Engine, and several Tinkerbell-class locomotives are favourites with passengers. The railway operates scenic rides around its countryside track, offering a fun and relaxed experience suitable for all ages.

Rides cost £1.50 per person, with children under 24 months travelling free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. The railway is open Saturdays (11:00am–5:00pm) and Sundays (10:30am–4:30pm), with additional limited services during school holidays. After covering running costs, the railway donates surplus funds to local charities and organisations.

East Herts Miniature Railway offers a simple, affordable, and enjoyable family outing in a countryside setting. Children love the colourful locomotives, while adults appreciate the craftsmanship and dedication of the volunteer team. Combined with the nearby garden centre facilities, it makes for an easy and pleasant day out in Hertfordshire.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Samson (0-4-2 with tender): Samson is based on the popular design by Roger Marsh called ‘Thomas 2’. It was built by R. O’Neil for his own pleasure over a period of six years, but other than testing it, the loco did not see much use. It was purchased from the builder by EHMR in April 2014 and has become a firm favourite with our passengers, looking very much like THOMAS the Tank Engine in its blue livery.
Peter N Brown (0-4-2 Tinkerbell Class, Maroon): Chassis built by Andrew Robelou in 2000 and purchased by the society in 2001. Originally named ‘Tinker’, this engine has been renamed in 2007 as ‘Peter N Brown’.
T C B Miller (0-4-2 Tinkerbell Class, Blue): This engine was built in 1991 by Andrew Robelou with a steel boiler by Bennetts. This has been the workhorse of the society for many years and it must have been pulling passengers in excess of 10,000 miles. Overhauled May 2006, repainted blue.
Ellan Bee (2-4-2, L&B, Green): Formally owned by the late Robin Lee, Ellan Bee was built by Fred Cormick and John Barber, both then members of the Manx Steam & Model Engineering Society in the Isle of Man. Ellan Bee spent the first two years of her working life on the Orchid Line at the Curraghs Wildlife Park entertaining many thousands of young & old around the quite extensive 7¼ Gauge track built and operated by the MS&MEC.
Lady Amwell (Bo-Bo Battery Electric. Red): Built in 2013 by ‘Ride on Railways’, this locomotive is based on ‘Lady of the Lake’ from Ruislip Lido Railway. Powered by 4 110amp hour batteries driving 2 x 750w DC motors via a digital control panel.
H G Harrison (0-4-0 Petrol Hydraulic. British Racing Green): Built as a basic loco by Roanoke in 2000 and modified by Pete Smith ( PJS Engineering ). This loco is driven from the tender and therefore it is perfect for the larger members of the society or disabled people.
John A Patten (2-6-2 Petrol Hydraulic Cab Loco. Blue): This loco was built in 1987 and was rebuilt in 2000 after many gruelling miles of service. This loco will pull anything and has just had a new engine fitted.
Lee Endeavour (Bo-Bo hydraulic Cab Loco.): Lee Endeavour built in 2017 by ‘Cromar White‘ of Anglesey is our all weather Bo-Bo diesel-hydraulic locomotive, it’s outline is based on a European Switcher type locomotive. It is powered by a Kubota 3 cylinder water-cooled diesel engine driving a hydraulic pump and two powered bogies.