Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Railway museum in Irchester Country Park, Northamptonshire, England.
Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum is housed in a purpose-built structure within Irchester Country Park and displays more than 40 items of rolling stock from narrow gauge railways. The collection includes four steam locomotives and six diesel locomotives, along with various other railway equipment and carriages.
The museum was founded in 1987 on the site of former ironstone quarries that operated between 1872 and 1969 in the area. It preserves the industrial railway heritage of Northamptonshire and marks the transition from active quarrying to cultural remembrance.
The collection reflects how narrow gauge railways shaped local transport and industry in the region, with engines like the Cambrai 4 and Wellingborough Tramway locomotive showing the machines people depended on daily. These locomotives tell the story of how industrial railways were woven into the life of Northamptonshire communities.
Plan your visit during dry weather, as the demonstration track is located in an open area and wet conditions can make the ground muddy. The site is easy to navigate on foot with plenty of space to walk around the locomotives and explore the different sections.
The site features a 250-meter demonstration track with a 1,000-millimeter gauge that lets visitors experience the specific measurements used in industrial narrow gauge railways. This working track allows people to ride the locomotives rather than simply viewing them from a distance.
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