Crowle Peatland Railway

About the museum

Peat has been cut on Crowle and Thorne Moors since medieval times. From the late 19th century the work became industrial, and companies laid networks of 3 ft gauge tramways across the moorland to carry the peat to their works. Horses pulled the wagons at first, and diesel locomotives gradually replaced them from the 1950s.

Crowle Peatland Railway was founded by local people who wanted to preserve this heritage. The idea was first discussed in 2012 and the society held its inaugural meeting in May 2013. It is now a registered charity run by volunteers, based at the Old Peatworks off Dole Road in Crowle, and it works to preserve the history of the Humberhead Peatlands and their railways.

The collection includes the Simplex locomotive Little Peat, diesel-hydraulic Schoma locomotives bought to modernise peat haulage in the 1990s, a Wagonmaster locomotive from the Irish peat railways of Bord na Mona, a Wickham trolley, a Lisbon tram and peat and tipper wagons. Trains run on open days, and the railway also holds talks, themed events at Halloween and Christmas, and a cafe on site.

Highlights

• Simplex locomotive Little Peat
• Schoma diesel-hydraulic locomotives from the 1990s
• Wagonmaster locomotive from the Irish peat railways
• Lisbon tram 711, used for storytelling events
• Train rides across the moor to Turf Moor Halt
• Moorside Cafe

Permanent exhibition

• Locomotives and rolling stock – Narrow-gauge locomotives, wagons, a trolley and a Lisbon tram that tell the story of peat transport on the moors.

Operated by

Crowle Peatland Railway (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The railway describes its open days as family-friendly, with a children's games area on open weekends, seasonal activities such as an Easter egg hunt, and Halloween and Christmas events with Santa's grotto in the Lisbon tram. A children's book about Little Peat is sold by the railway.

Getting there & parking

The railway is at the Old Peatworks off Dole Road, Crowle (DN17 4BL).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Moorside Cafe is open for drinks and refreshments when the railway is open, with Sunday brunch on the third Sunday of the month from 10:00 to 12:00 without booking and afternoon tea on the first Wednesday of the month, which must be booked. Cards and cash are accepted. A second-hand railway book and DVD sale is held at some events.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The cafe welcomes enquiries about private parties.

Plan your visit