East Anglian Railway Museum

About the museum

The East Anglian Railway Museum began with the Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society, formed in 1968 to save the recently closed line from Sudbury to Long Melford. That plan failed for lack of funds, and in 1969 the society moved to Chappel and Wakes Colne station, where it leased the derelict goods yard, goods shed, signal box and station buildings from British Rail. The first public steaming took place just three months later, when a single locomotive carried passengers over a short stretch of relaid track.

In the early 1980s the site became a public attraction, and in 1986 the society was renamed the East Anglian Railway Museum to show its focus on the railway history of the eastern counties. It bought the site in 1987, became a registered charity in 1991 and a registered museum in 1995. In 2001 it bought the neighbouring cider orchard, which allowed the Heritage Centre to be built in 2011, the Thompson Centre in 2017 and a new Exhibition Hall in 2025.

Today the museum covers more than ten acres, including the Victorian goods shed, a restoration shed where volunteers work on vintage locomotives and rolling stock, a model railway exhibition and a miniature railway beside the children’s playground. It is run largely by volunteers, and trains from the Greater Anglia service call at Platform 1 of the same station.

Highlights

• Open-air site of more than ten acres at a working railway station
• Restoration shed where volunteers restore vintage locomotives and carriages
• Victorian goods shed with railway memorabilia
• Exhibition Hall opened in 2025
• Miniature railway and children’s playground
• Steam and diesel train rides on event days

Permanent exhibitions

• Exhibition Hall – A fully accessible hall opened in 2025 that houses vintage carriages and other museum artefacts.
• Goods Shed – A restored Victorian goods shed filled with original railway memorabilia.
• Restoration Shed – A working shed where volunteers restore vintage locomotives and rolling stock.

Founded

1986

Operated by

East Anglian Railway Museum (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The standard price is for museum viewing on non-event days. Museum day tickets include a 10% voluntary donation, which visitors can decline when booking, and Gift Aid can be added for UK taxpayers. Visitors arriving by train can show their rail ticket at the visitor reception for a discount on standard, event and special event days. Booking online gives a discount.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most museum buildings are accessible, including the Goods Shed, Restoration Shed, Exhibition Hall, Model Railway Exhibition and Thompson Centre. The two halves of the site are linked by a historic stepped footbridge without a lift, so wheelchair users need a vehicle to reach both sides; visitors arriving by car are directed from the visitor reception to a rear gate and a step-free parking area beside the Restoration Shed. An alternative level route on foot is about 800 m long. Accessible toilets are at the visitor reception, in the Thompson Centre and on Platform 2 (Radar key needed). Ear defenders, fidget toys, twiddle muffs, explorer bags and magnifier sheets can be borrowed. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, except at Day Out with Thomas events where only assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

The museum runs family events such as steam and diesel days and Day Out with Thomas, has a children’s playground beside the miniature railway, and lends explorer bags. Visitors are asked to keep children close because trains and vehicles move on the site.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav postcode CO6 2DS. The museum is about 8 miles from Colchester on the A1124; from the A12 take junction 26 and follow the A1124 towards Halstead to Station Road near the Chappel Viaduct.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Platform Two Café and the gift shop are open on event days and museum viewing days. There is no space at reception to leave buggies, scooters or other belongings.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Victorian Goods Shed is used for private events, functions, corporate entertainment and wedding receptions, and rooms and a field are available for clubs and youth groups.

Plan your visit