Alderney Railway, Heritage railway in Alderney, Channel Islands.
Alderney Railway is a narrow-gauge heritage line on this Channel island that connects two stations across the island. The route spans roughly 3 kilometers from Braye Road station near Saint Anne to Mannez Quarry station close to the lighthouse, and operates using two restored London Underground trains.
The line opened in 1847 to move quarried stone to the harbor for breakwater construction ordered by the British Admiralty. During World War II, German forces rebuilt the system to meet their own needs, marking a dramatic shift in the railway's purpose.
The railway holds meaning for locals as a living link to the island's past, run by dedicated volunteers who share their knowledge with visitors. People gather here to witness how the community keeps this transport form active and relevant to modern island life.
The service runs mainly on summer weekends and school holidays, so checking schedules before visiting helps plan your trip. Both stations sit at manageable locations on the island, making it easy for visitors to board and experience the journey at a relaxed pace.
During German occupation in World War II, the original track gauge was replaced with a narrower 600-millimeter system. This technical switch reveals how wartime forces reshaped even small transport networks on remote islands.
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