Lea Bailey Light Railway, Heritage railway in Forest of Dean, England
Lea Bailey Light Railway is a narrow gauge heritage line in Forest of Dean that operates on 2-foot tracks through restored mining infrastructure. The site features vintage locomotives and wagons that once moved ore and coal from underground workings.
The railway began operations in 1885 to serve a mining complex and closed in 1917 when the mines ceased production. Restoration efforts started in the 2010s to recover the tracks and bring operations back to the site.
The line was originally built to move ore and coal from underground workings, and today the volunteers who run it keep that industrial purpose visible through their demonstrations. You can watch how the narrow tracks and small locomotives were designed for tight spaces below ground.
Monthly open days allow visitors to see the locomotives operating and moving through the tunnel sections. It is best to wear sturdy footwear and check opening dates in advance, as the ground is uneven.
The line incorporates sections of the former Mitcheldean Road and Forest of Dean Junction Railway, preserving earlier mining connections across the region. This inheritance shows how the current operation built upon routes that once connected multiple mining areas.
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