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British industrial narrow-gauge railways

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British industrial narrow-gauge railways are narrow-gauge railways in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man that were primarily built to serve one or more industries. Some offered passenger services for employees or workmen, but they did not run public passenger trains. They are categorized by the primary industry they served.

Quarrying and mining

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Main article: British quarrying and mining narrow-gauge railways

Heavy industry

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Engineering works

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Godwin and Sons Engineering (Manchester) Ltd.[1]by 19792 ft 6 in (762 mm)Shaw and Crompton, EnglandLocomotive-worked line.
Painter Bros. Ltd.[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Hereford, EnglandLocomotive-worked line.
William Ainscough and Sons Mossy Lea Road[1]by 19792 ft (610 mm)Wrightington, EnglandLocomotive-worked line at this crane hire and general engineering company[2]

Power generation

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Power stations were some of the last regular users of industrial steam locomotives in the United Kingdom, although most of these were standard gauge. However, several power generation facilities used narrow-gauge railways.

NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Central Electricity Generating Board Fawley Tunnel[1][3]by 19793 ft 1+1⁄8 in (943 mm)Fawley, EnglandTwo mile long tunnel under Southampton Water worked by a single battery-electric locomotive.
Central Electricity Generating Board Woodhead Tunnel[1]1960s20162 ft (610 mm)Woodhead, EnglandEx-British Railways tunnel under the Pennines used to carry high-voltage electricity supply cables. Narrow-gauge railway used for cable maintenance. Moved to the new Woodhead tunnel, completed in 2016. The narrow gauge railway through the old tunnel is now disused
Stourport Power Station?19892 ft 6 in (762 mm)Stourport, EnglandInternal line.
J.S. Fry and Sons railway[4]?after 19672 ft (610 mm)Somerdale, EnglandShort railway running parallel to a standard gauge line. The narrow-gauge locomotives hauled standard gauge coal wagons to the power station.

Refineries

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Anglo Gulf West Indies Petroleum Corporation Fawley Refinery[3]192019572 ft (610 mm)Fawley, EnglandExtensive diesel locomotive worked internal line at refinery

Steel works

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  • Preserved Shotton steelworks locomotive
NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
British Steel Corporation Aldwarke Works railway[1]after 19793 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)Rotherham, EnglandInternal steel works railway, with an entirely new line built in 1971
British Steel Corporation Micklam works[1]after 1987[5]2 ft 6 in (762 mm)Lowca, EnglandUnderground railway serving the refractories.
British Steel Corporation Shotton Steel Works railway[1][4][6]before 20132 ft 6 in (762 mm)Connah's Quay, WalesInternal steel works railway, with an entirely new line built in 1971
British Steel Corporation Stanton and Staveley Works[1]after 19793 ft (914 mm)Ilkeston, EnglandFoundry railway worked by battery-electric locomotives
Clay Cross Ltd. Spun Pipe works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Clay Cross, EnglandInternal locomotive-worked line
Ebbw Vale Steel Iron and Coal Company railway[7]18 in (457 mm)Ebbw Vale, WalesInternal steel works railway using Ramsbottom locomotives similar to those at the Crewe Works Railway
Flather Bright Steels Ltd. Tinsley works[1]after 197918 in (457 mm)Sheffield, EnglandInternal locomotive-worked line
Goldendale Iron Works[8]after 195718 in (457 mm)Chatterley, EnglandHorse-hauled works tramway used to move pig iron.
Guest Keen Baldwins Iron and Steel Company Ltd. Briton Ferry Steelworks[9]after 19562 ft 4+1⁄2 in (724 mm)Glamorgan, WalesSteelworks line worked by steam locomotives
Gurnos Tin Plate Works railway[4]before 192018 in (457 mm)Lower Cwmtwrch, WalesInternal steel works railway
Sanders and Forster[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Stratford, London, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked line

Zinc smelting

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See also: zinc smelting
NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Welsh Crown Spelter Co. works[10]before 1904around 190518 in (457 mm)Trefriw, WalesInternal zinc works railway, supplied with one of Kerr Stuart's early locomotives

Construction industry

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Contractor depots

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Many construction contractors maintained depots that included narrow-gauge equipment in store and under repair. While some of these were temporary locations and often unrecorded, others were long term yards with extensive stock and facilities.

NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Arnold & Nathan Ltd. East Peckham depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm) and 18 in (457 mm)Paddock Wood, EnglandBattery electric locomotives for tunnelling
Associated Tunnelling Co. Ltd. Lowton St. Marys Depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Warrington, EnglandBattery electric locomotives for tunnelling
Baillie Contracting Co. Ltd. Coventry Depots[1]after 197912 in (305 mm)Coventry, England
C. Bryant & Sons Ltd. Doris Road Depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm)Birmingham, England
Cementation Mining Ltd. Bentley Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm) and 18 in (457 mm)Doncaster, England
Clugston Construction Scunthorpe depot[1]after 197912 in (305 mm)Scunthorpe, England
Clydeside Constructional Co. Ltd. Bridge of Weir depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Strathclyde, Scotland
J.F. Donelan & Co. Ltd. Manchester depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm)Manchester, England
Fairclough Civil Engineering Ltd. Swynerton depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Swynnerton, EnglandExtensive stock depot, on occasions including over 100 battery electric locomotives
J.J. Gallagher & Co. Ltd. Armour Close depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm)Birmingham, England
J.C. Gillespie Civil Engineering. Ltd. Green Lane depot[5]after 1979after 198718 in (457 mm)Timperley, EnglandTwo battery electric locomotives at depot (1987)
M.J Gleesons (Contractors) Ltd. Mitcham depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)London, England
Sam Henry & Partners[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)unknown location
J.H. Tractors Ltd. Tickhill Plant Hire[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm) and 18 in (457 mm)Doncaster, England
Johnston Construction[1]after 197912 in (305 mm)Surrey, England
Kier Ltd. Setchey depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Kings Lynn, England
T & A.M. Kilroe Ltd. Lomax Street depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm)Radcliffe, England
Lilley/Waddington Ltd. Harvey Road depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Basildon, England
Lilley/Waddington Ltd. Horwich depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Manchester, England
Lilley/Waddington Ltd. Haunchwood Colliery depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Nuneaton, England
Lilley/Waddington Ltd. Charles Street depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Glasgow, Scotland
Macclesfield Corporation Engineers Department Store[5]after 19872 ft (610 mm)Macclesfield, England4wPM locomotive in store
Martin & Co. (Contractors) Ltd. Bristol Road South depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm)Birmingham, England
Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons Ltd. Kettering depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Kettering, England
Miller Engineering & Construction Ltd. Sandiacre depot[5]after 19872 ft 11 in (889 mm)
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2 ft (610 mm)		Sandiacre, EnglandLocomotives at construction depot
Raynesway Plant Ltd.[11]after 19892 ft (610 mm)Derby, EnglandThree out of use locomotives on site in 1989
Tarmac Construction Ltd. Peterborough depot[5]after 19872 ft (610 mm)Peterborough, EnglandCollection of 4wBE locomotives used for construction
M & H Tunnel & Civil Engineering Co. Ltd. Green Lane depot[1]after 197918 in (457 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Thurcroft, England
Welham Plant Ltd. Barford Road depot[citation needed]after 198718 in (457 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)St. Neots, EnglandBattery electric locomotives at depot.

Tunnelling

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Many narrow-gauge lines were employed for short-term tunnelling contracts. Most of these are unrecorded, so this list represents only a few of the many such lines.

  • Lochaber Railway
NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Bedminster Water Outfall contract[4]197419752 ft (610 mm)Bedminster, EnglandWater tunnel construction scheme in Bristol, using eleven diesel locomotives
Cockermouth Sewer Contract?19882 ft (610 mm) ?Cockermouth, EnglandTemporary line to serve the renewal of the main sewer tunnel. Used battery electric locomotives.
Eurotunnel contract[12]198819923 ft (914 mm)Dover, EnglandExtensive rack and adhesion railway used in the construction of the Channel Tunnel.
Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway192519773 ft (914 mm)Fort William, Scotland25 miles (40 km) long railway used in the construction of the 15 miles (24 km) long tunnel of the Lochaber hydroelectric scheme.
Nuttall Dover Sewer contract199619982 ft (610 mm)Dover, EnglandConstruction railway for a one-mile long interception sewer tunnel.
Nuttall Portsmouth Sewer contract[3]199820012 ft 6 in (762 mm)Dover, EnglandConstruction railway for an 8 km long sewer tunnel.
Nuttall Southampton Rail Tunnel contract[3]198519872 ft 6 in (762 mm)Southampton, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked temporary railway used to reline the standard gauge railway tunnel out of Southampton Central station
Selby Road sewer tunnel contract[4]1971197218 in (457 mm)Leyton, EnglandContractor's railway for building a new sewer tunnel in north east London. Used battery electric locomotives.
Weymouth and Portland Long Sea Outfall[13]19832 ft (610 mm)Wyke Regis, England3 km long sewage outfall tunnel built using battery electric locomotives

City construction

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During the garden city construction boom, several new towns and cities were built using narrow-gauge railways

NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Ashington Village Tramway[14]18801930s2 ft (610 mm)Ashington, EnglandTramway built to serve the mining village of Ashington. It provided coal and sewage service to houses and connected the local gas and electricity works.
Carr Estate1945?1947?probably 2 ft (610 mm)Acomb, EnglandWas used to construct parts of Carr Estate to the West of York. Track seen piled up at end of Woodlea Avenue 1946–7, track seen in Danebury Drive. Hand worked?
Port Sunlight village railway[15]190519142 ft (610 mm)Port Sunlight, EnglandLocomotive worked construction railway for the expansion of Port Sunlight "garden village"
Welwyn Garden City Light Railway[16]After WWI19362 ft (610 mm)Welwyn Garden City, EnglandLocomotive worked construction railway used during the building of Welwyn Garden City. It connected the mainline with the Nabisco Shredded Wheat factory and brickworks around the site, as well as the Model Dairy.

Land reclamation and river maintenance

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Temporary and semi-permanent narrow-gauge railways were often used during land reclamation schemes

NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Anglian Water Authority Lincolnshire River Division[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Southrey, EnglandLocomotive depot for river bank maintenance around Lincolnshire
Anglian Water Authority Norfolk & Suffolk River Division[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Southrey, EnglandLocomotives used for flood protection and river bank maintenance.
Middle Level Commissioners Ashbeach Road Plant Depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)March, EnglandLocomotive depot for river bank maintenance and land reclamation schemes in and around Cambridgeshire
North West Water Authority Mersey and Weaver River Unit[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Great Sankey, EnglandLocomotive used for river bank maintenance
North West Water Authority Longdendale Headworks[5]after 19872 ft (610 mm)Tintwistle, England
Robert Stannard's Railway[17]1816after 182118 in (457 mm)Chat Moss, EnglandPortable hand-worked tramway used for the reclamation of Chat Moss.
The Embankment Tramway[18]1808about 18303 ft (914 mm)Porthmadog, WalesHorse-drawn tramway used to construct the "Cob" for the Traeth Mawr land reclamation scheme. Later replaced by the Ffestiniog Railway.
The North Sea Camp Railway[1][19]1935after 19792 ft (610 mm)Frieston, EnglandLocomotive worked land reclamation scheme in the Lincolnshire Wash
Severn Trent Water Authority Orston Road East Depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)West Bridgford, EnglandLocomotives used in river bank maintenance
Yorkshire Water Authority River Ouse scheme[4]19732 ft (610 mm)Saltmarshe, EnglandTemporary riverbank line used for repairs to the River Ouse
Yorkshire Water Authority Ricall Plant Depot[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)York, EnglandLocomotives used for river bank maintenance

Reservoir construction

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Many reservoirs constructed before the Second World War employed narrow-gauge railways to move equipment and materials.

NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Blake Dean Railway[20]190119123 ft (914 mm)Hardcastle Crags England
Baldersdale Reservoir railway[21]188918963 ft (914 mm)Middleton in Teesdale England
Bulkeley Hill Narrow Gauge Railway[22]1937?2 ft (610 mm)Bulkeley England350 yards (320 m)-long cable-hauled incline used in the construction of the Bulkeley Hill reservoir.
Burnhope Reservoir railway[21]193019372 ft (610 mm)Wearhead EnglandExtensive narrow-gauge system serving the construction of the Burnhope Reservoir
Catcleugh Reservoir railway[21]190219053 ft (914 mm)Woodburn, EnglandConnection from the Woodburn station of the North British Railway to Catcleugh dam
Cowlyd Tramway[23]191619682 ft (610 mm)Dolgarrog WalesSteam locomotive worked line
Crookfoot Reservoir railway[21]190019043 ft (914 mm)Hartlepool EnglandSteam locomotive worked line
Eigiau Tramway[23]190719712 ft (610 mm)Dolgarrog WalesSteam locomotive worked line
Fontburn Reservoir railway[21]190219083 ft (914 mm)Kirkwhelpington EnglandSteam locomotive and horse worked line connecting to sidings on the North British Railway
Geltsdale Reservoir railway[21]190419093 ft (914 mm)Carlisle EnglandSteam locomotive worked line
Leighton and Roundhill Reservoir railway[24]1905(?)1930 (?)2 ft (610mm)Masham EnglandRailway that left the Masham Branch just north of Masham station. Construction of Roundhill and Leighton Reservoirs
West Baldwin Reservoir railway[25]190119053 ft (914 mm)Douglas Isle of ManSteam locomotive worked line north of Douglas
Bamford to Howden Railway[26]1915Derwent ValleyConstruction of Derwent and Howden Reservoirs
Fewston Reservoir Railway[27]187418793 ft (914 mm)Washburn Valley, EnglandConstruction of Fewston Reservoir
Swinsty Reservoir Railway[27]187318773 ft (914 mm)Washburn Valley, EnglandConstruction of Swinsty Reservoir
Vyrnwy Waterworks Railway[28]188118903 ft (914 mm)Vyrnwy, WalesSteam locomotive worked line used in the construction of the Llyn Vyrnwy reservoir and waterworks.

Power station construction

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Foyers Power Station construction railway[4]around 1970after 19713 ft (914 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Loch Ness ScotlandExtensive network of temporary lines around Loch Ness

Road construction

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Caterham Bypass[29]193919392 ft (610 mm)Caterham, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked temporary lines used during the construction of the A22 bypass east of the town
Cranmore Depot[13]after 1950variousCranmore, EnglandEquipment depot of Roads Reconstruction (1934) Ltd. where many narrow-gauge locomotives used on road construction contracts were stored
Dorking Bypass[29]192619262 ft (610 mm)Dorking, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked line carrying chalk excavated to create new route for the A29
Guildford Bypass[29]193119312 ft (610 mm)Guildford, EnglandSteam locomotive worked line used in the construction of the A3
Kingston Bypass[29]192419253 ft (914 mm) ?London, EnglandSteam locomotive worked line using at least one American Davenport locomotive in the construction of the A3 bypass of Kingston upon Thames

Other construction

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Bournemouth Pier[13]198019802 ft (610 mm)Bournemouth, EnglandLocomotive-worked line used in reconstruction of the pier
Southern Railway Wimbledon-Sutton Railway[29]192819303 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)Sutton, EnglandSteam locomotive worked line used in the construction of the Sutton-Wimbledon line.
Surrey and Hants Canal Society The Deepcut Railway[29]197719792 ft (610 mm)Deepcut, Surrey, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked line used in the restoration of the Basingstoke Canal

General

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Water treatment and sewage works

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Anglian Water Authority Marsh Farm Sewage Works[1]by 19792 ft (610 mm)Tilbury, EnglandLocomotive worked railway
Anglian Water Authority Nevendon Treatment Works[1]by 19792 ft (610 mm)Basildon, EnglandLocomotive worked railway
Brede Waterworks railway[30]1899193518 in (457 mm)Brede, EnglandSteam locomotive worked railway that hauled coal from barges unloaded from the River Brede to the Brede Valley water works.
Chichester Sewage Works railway[30]1930s (?)19762 ft (610 mm)Apuldram, EnglandShort line around the sewage works
Colne Valley Waterworks railway[31]193119672 ft (610 mm)Watford, EnglandLight railway connecting the LNWR Watford to Rickmansworth branch line with the Eastbury Pumping Station
Deephams Sewage Works railway1920s19682 ft (610 mm)Edmonton, EnglandSmall-scale railway at sewage treatment works
Dukinfield Sewage Works railway?late 1980s2 ft (610 mm)Manchester, EnglandSmall-scale railway at sewage works
Knostrop Sewage Works railway[4]?after 19751 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm)Leeds, EnglandExperimental facility that used locomotives from the First World War into the 1970s
Metropolitan Water Board Railway[29][32]191519472 ft (610 mm)Hampton, EnglandTransported coal from a wharf on the River Thames to the Kempton pumping station.
North Bierley Sewage Works railway[33]2 ft (610 mm)Bradford, EnglandRailway serving the sewage works
North Surrey Joint Sewage Board railways[34]1939after 19652 ft (610 mm)Berrylands, EnglandRailways serving the Malden, Berrylands and Hogsmill sewage works (Hogsmill and Malden works railways connected c1961).
North Surrey Water[29]present3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)Walton-on-Thames, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked 400 yard long line in occasional use
North West Water Authority Ashton works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Dukinfield, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
North West Water Authority Llanforda Hall[1]?19892 ft (610 mm)Oswestry, EnglandLocomotive-worked railway serving the filtration beds and sand washing plant.
North West Water Authority Lower Rivington Reservoir[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Horwich, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
North West Water Authority Spade Mill No. 2 Reservoir[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Longridge, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
Plantation Farm Sewage Works railway[4]?after 19752 ft (610 mm)Dukinfield, EnglandRailway serving the filter beds
Richmond Main Sewerage Board railway[10]1887about 19502 ft 9 in (838 mm)Mortlake, EnglandShort railway connecting a dock on the River Thames with the sewerage works at Mortlake. Used what was probably the first internal combustion narrow-gauge locomotive made in 1902 by engine maker Blake Motors Ltd of Kew
Severn Trent Water Authority Blithe Valley Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Uttoxeter, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
Severn Trent Water Authority Burslem Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Burslem, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
Severn Trent Water Authority Newstead Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Trentham, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
Severn Trent Water Authority Stoke Bardolph Sewage Works[1]after 1989[11]2 ft (610 mm)Nottingham, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
Severn Trent Water Authority Strongford Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Barlaston, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
Severn Trent Water Authority Tunstall Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Stoke on Trent, EnglandLocomotive-hauled railway
Wandle Valley Sewerage Board railway?19632 ft (610 mm)Merton, EnglandInternal sewerage railway
Water Orton Sewage Plant railway[4]before 196819902 ft (610 mm)Minworth, EnglandInternal sewerage railway of the Upper Tame Main Drainage Authority
Wood Lane Tip railway[4]before 19612 ft (610 mm)Kensington, EnglandRailway serving the refuse tips operated by Kensington Council
Yorkshire Water Authority Naburn Purification Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Naburn, EnglandLocomotive-worked works railway
Yorkshire Water Authority Old Whittington Sewage Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Chesterfield, EnglandLocomotive-worked sewage works railway

Gas works

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Berkhamsted Gasworks Railway[4]?195516+1⁄2 in (419 mm)Berkhamsted, EnglandShort horse-worked line connecting the gasworks with a goods yard
Bournemouth Gas & Water Company Railway[13]18641930s3 ft (914 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)Bournemouth, England3 ft (914 mm) gauge elevated railway for coal transport until 1918. 2 ft (610 mm) gauge locomotive worked line for gasholder construction in the early 1930s.
Dundee Gasworks Railway??1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm)Dundee, ScotlandInternal steam-hauled gas works railway.
Granton Gasworks Railway[35]?19652 ft 6 in (762 mm)Edinburgh, ScotlandInternal steam-hauled gas works railway.
Hilsea Gasworks Railway[3]2 ft 6 in (762 mm)Portsmouth, EnglandSteam-locomotive hauled gasworks railway.
Harrogate Gasworks Railway190819562 ft (610 mm)Harrogate, EnglandSteam-hauled railway running from the North Eastern Railway to Harrogate gasworks.[36]
London Gas Light Co. Nine Elms Works[29]1863 (?)19273 ft (914 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm)London, EnglandInternal steam-hauled railway hauling coal to the gasworks, replaced by conveyor belts
South Metropolitan Gas Company East Greenwich Works[29]before 19101933750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in)London, EnglandInternal steam-hauled gas works railway.
South Metropolitan Gas Company Old Kent Road Works[29]189219533 ft (914 mm)London, EnglandInternal steam-hauled gas works railway on the Old Kent Road.
South Metropolitan Gas Company Vauxhall Works[29]1890safter 19513 ft (914 mm)London, EnglandInternal steam-hauled gas works railway.
Southern Gas Board, Poole Gasworks[13]194419722 ft (610 mm)Poole, EnglandInternal gasworks line using Lister locomotives
Stroud Gas Light & Coke Co. Tramway192419562 ft (610 mm)Stroud, EnglandPetrol-driven[37] locomotives ran from coal chute on the Stroud branch of the Midland Railway, over two branches of the River Frome, to 1833 gasworks alongside Stroudwater Navigation[38][39][40]
Winnal Gasworks Railway[3]2 ft 8 in (813 mm)Winchester, EnglandOverhead electric-locomotive hauled gasworks railway.
York Gasworks Company[41]191519592 ft 3 in (686 mm)York, EnglandElectrified railway, operated by a locomotive built by Dick, Kerr & Co.

General freight

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Belvoir Castle Tramway[42]181519184 ft 4+1⁄2 in (1,333 mm)Belvoir Castle, EnglandA short horse-drawn line used to haul coal and other goods from a Grantham Canal wharf to the castle.
Guilford Tramway[12]190319303 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)Sandwich, EnglandSteam locomotive worked, freight-only line serving the St. George's Golf Club.
Portreath Tramroad[43]180918673 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)Portreath, EnglandEarly freight and mineral horse-hauled hauling plateway. One director's carriage survives in the Royal Cornwall Museum
Redruth and Chasewater Railway[43][44]182619154 ft (1,219 mm)Redruth, EnglandFreight and mineral hauling line; horse-drawn until 1854; later steam worked.
St. Michael's Mount Tramway[43]1879present2 ft 5 in (737 mm)Marazion, EnglandCable-hauled railway and incline delivering supplies and guest's luggage to St Michael's Mount.
Swanage Pier Tramway[13]18581930s2 ft 6 in (762 mm)Swanage, EnglandCoal, stone and general freight line between Swanage town and Old Pier. Originally standard gauge but converted to narrow gauge between 1860 and 1880. Some track still exists in situ.
Talisker Distillery?1930s2 ft (610 mm)Isle of Skye, ScotlandHauled goods from a pier to the whisky distillery.

Forestry

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Ampthill Timber Railway[45]191719183 ft (914 mm)Ampthill, EnglandController of Timber Supply (CTS) forestry railway using one Kerr Stuart Haig class locomotive.
Aviemore Light Railway[45]191719223 ft (914 mm)Aviemore, ScotlandExtensive forestry railway built by the War Office Directorate of Timber Supply.
Cefn Vron Tramway[45]192419262 ft 6 in (762 mm)Newtown, WalesTemporary timber hauling railway on the Welsh-English border.
Dornoch forestry railway[45]191719223 ft (914 mm)Dornoch, ScotlandForestry railway built by the War Office Directorate of Timber Supply.
Downham Hall timber railway[45]191719223 ft (914 mm)Brandon, EnglandCTS timber railway using three Bagnall locomotives
Kerry Ridgeway Railway[45]194119432 ft (610 mm)Newtown, WalesTemporary timber-hauling railway at Kerry, Powys.
Kerry Tramway[45]188719232 ft (610 mm)Newtown, WalesLocomotive-worked line hauling timber from Kerry forest to Kerry Station on the Cambrian Railways
Pennal Timber Tramway[46]191819202 ft (610 mm)Pennal, WalesShort-lived Timber Supply Department tramway carrying timber from Cwm Dwr to Pennal, reusing part of the Cwm Ebol slate tramway. Locomotive Baguley 774 worked there.
Wool timber railway[45]191819203 ft (914 mm)Wool, EnglandForestry railway using a single Bagnall locomotive.
Wolsingham railway[45]191719223 ft (914 mm)Wolsingham, England1½ mile long timber railway using three steam locomotives.

Railway works

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NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
Beyer Peacock Works Railway[47]??2 ft 6 in (762 mm)Manchester, EnglandExtensive railway serving the locomotive construction works of Beyer Peacock.
British Railways Beeston Sleeper Depot railway??3 ft (914 mm)Beeston, Nottinghamshire, EnglandSleeper depot line
British Railways Chesterton Junction Central Materials Depot railway[1]?after 19792 ft (610 mm)Cambridge, EnglandMaterials dept internal line
Melton Constable Railway Works?1936?Melton Constable, NorfolkSmall narrow-gauge rail network around the M&GN works
Crewe Works Railway[7]1863193218 in (457 mm)Crewe, EnglandExtensive railway serving the Crewe locomotive works of the London and North Western Railway
Horwich Works Railway[7]196518 in (457 mm)Bolton, EnglandRailway serving the Horwich locomotive works of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

Other industries

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  • Woto, ex-BICC Belvedere, converted to 2 ft (610 mm) gauge and preserved at Alan Keef
  • ex-Bowaters Railway locomotive Leader, preserved on the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway
  • The Lochaber Railway
  • London Post Office Railway
NameOpenedClosedGaugeLocationNotes
ABCO Petroleum[30][48]before 1910after 19652 ft (610 mm)Rye, England200-yard (183 m)-long internal railway serving the reprocessing plant.
Ashton Canal Carriers (Now Ashton Packet Boat Company)(incorrectly shown as Clayton Canal Carriers[1])1978Present2 ft (610 mm)Guide Bridge, EnglandShort loco-worked line within a boatyard.
Ballard's Malt Vinegar Works[49]1894after 19742 ft (610 mm)Malvern, EnglandHand-worked line connecting the barley malting works to the piggery.
Bedford and Jesty Ltd. Sylva Springs Watercress railway[4][13]before 1967present (but only part of the original line)18 in (457 mm)Bere Regis, EnglandShort line serving the watercress beds powered by a home made petrol locomotive
Bedford and Jesty Ltd. Spetisbury Watercress railway[13]before 197019802 ft (610 mm)Spetisbury, EnglandShort line serving the watercress beds, using motorised flatbed wagons
BICC Belvedere[12]1930s (?)19683 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)Belvedere, EnglandSteam-hauled railway at British Insulated Callender's Cables Ltd's cable plant.
BICC Prescot Refineries Unit[1]after 19792 ft 6 in (762 mm)Prescot, EnglandLocomotive-worked line
Biwater Pipes and Castings[48]?20002 ft (610 mm),
3 ft 1⁄2 in (927 mm) and 2 ft 10+1⁄2 in (876 mm)[50]		Clay Cross, EnglandVery short line for hauling pipes within the works.
Bowaters Paper Railway[12]190619692 ft 6 in (762 mm)Sittingbourne, EnglandServed Bowater's paper mills. The last steam-worked industrial narrow-gauge line in Britain.
British Ropes[29]after 19652 ft (610 mm)Charlton, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked line at rope factory
Bude Canal Edge Railway[43]182319424 ft (1,219 mm),
2 ft (610 mm) after 1923		Bude, EnglandHorse-hauled line conveying sand from Summerleaze Beach to Bude Canal. In some years storms expose the old tracks on the beach.[51]
Cadbury's factory railway[52]1920s1950s2 ft (610 mm)Worcester, EnglandLine connecting the canal to the chocolate factory taking timber for construction of packing cases.
Civil Aviation Authority Laxey Airport[1]after 19793 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)Laxey, Isle of ManTwo railcars
Daydawn Nurseries Ltd.[29]1965 (?)19712 ft (610 mm)Bisley, EnglandDiesel locomotive worked line around garden nursery
Department of the Environment Harpur Hill Research Laboratory[5]after 19873 ft (914 mm)Buxton, England
Droitwich Canal Trust[1]?after 19792 ft (610 mm)Salwarpe, EnglandShort loco-worked line
Faverdale Works railway[4]after 197520 in (508 mm)Darlington, EnglandRailway at the Chemical and Insulating Co. Ltd, in Faverdale, Darlington
Gardner Machinery & Metals Dove Holes Station[5]out of use by 19872 ft (610 mm)Buxton, EnglandScrap merchant yard with railway and 4wDM locomotive
ICI Nobels Ardeer Works[11]after 19892 ft 6 in (762 mm)Strathclyde, ScotlandAt least nine locomotives on site in 1989
ICI Nobels Roburite Works[1]after 19792 ft (610 mm)Shevington, EnglandLocomotive worked line
ICI Winnington Works[1]after 1987[5]2 ft 6 in (762 mm)Winnington, EnglandLocomotive worked line at the crystal plant at Winnington
Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway[53]192519773 ft (914 mm)Fort William, ScotlandLong line built for the construction and maintenance of pipelines from Lochaber to Fort William.
London Pneumatic Despatch Company railway[54]186318742 ft (610 mm) and 3 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,130 mm)London, EnglandAn underground Atmospheric railway. The 2 ft (610 mm) gauge line connected Euston railway station and the North West District Post Office in Eversholt Street. The 3 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,130 mm) gauge line connected Euston to Holborn
London Post Office Railway ('Mail Rail')[55]192720032 ft (610 mm)London, EnglandDriverless electric mail-delivery service, serving nine sorting offices on a 6.5 mile route between Paddington and Whitechapel. Entirely underground; double track in single 9 ft tunnel.
Lynlite Concrete Ltd.?19793 ft (914 mm)Ramsey, EnglandConcrete suppliers.
Nocton Potato Estate192019692 ft (610 mm)Lincoln, EnglandExtensive system to carry potatoes from the fields to the crisp processing plant.
Oakhill Brewery[13]190419212 ft 6 in (762 mm)Oakhill, EnglandMile long steam operated railway connecting the brewery with the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway at Binegar
Pett Level Tramway[30]193419462 ft (610 mm)Winchelsea, EnglandBuilt to aid the construction and maintenance of sea defences on the Sussex coast.
Port Sunlight1914 (?)early 1950s2 ft (610 mm)Port Sunlight, EnglandLocomotive-worked industrial light serving Lever Brothers soap factory.
Redland Pipes railway[4][29]before 196819722 ft (610 mm)Ripley, EnglandContinuous circuit around the pipe works.
Royal Ordnance Factoryc 1938not known2 ft 6 in (762 mm)Bishopton, ScotlandApprox 80 mile-long system serving munitions and ordnance explosives production site now owned by BAE Systems and operated by the Global Combat Systems-Munitions arm of its Land & Armaments business unit. Tracks still in situ in places
Royal Ordnance Factoryc 1939not known2 ft 6 in (762 mm)Puriton, EnglandExtensive system serving explosives production site latterly owned by BAE Systems and operated by its Munitions & Ordnance business unit. Tracks still in situ in places when site ceased production and closed in 2007.
Woodhead Tunnel railway[56]1960s20162 ft (610 mm)Woodhead, EnglandLocomotive worked railway for transporting workers maintaining the high voltage electrical cables in the old Woodhead Tunnel

See also

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References

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Bibliography

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  • Stoyel, B.D. & Kidner R.W. (1973). The Cement Railways of Kent. The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-370-2.
  • Talbot, Edward; Taylor, Clive (2005). The Crewe Works Narrow Gauge System (2nd ed.). Croydon, Surrey: The London & North Western Railway Society. ISBN 0954695119.
  • Tonks, Eric (May 1990). The Ironstone Quarries of the Midlands Part 4: The Wellingborough Area. Cheltenham: Runpast Publishing. ISBN 1-870-754-042.
  • Narrow Gauge News, the journal of the Narrow Gauge Railway Society
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