Foxfield Railway

About the museum

The Foxfield Railway was built in 1892 and 1893 to carry coal from Foxfield Colliery at Dilhorne down to the North Staffordshire Railway main line at Blythe Bridge. Local workers, supervised by a railway foreman, laid the track using second-hand materials. The line follows the hillside in sharp curves and climbs the steep Foxfield Bank, with gradients of up to 1 in 19.

When the colliery closed in August 1965, local volunteers formed the Foxfield Light Railway Society to save the line. The society was established in 1967 and began by carrying passengers in converted wagons up the bank. Over the years it bought proper coaches and built a station at Caverswall Road, about half a mile from Blythe Bridge railway station. Today the trains run for 2.25 miles from there to Dilhorne Park and back.

The railway is run entirely by volunteers. Its collection includes steam and diesel locomotives that all worked in local industry, among them the oldest, Bellerophon of 1874, and No. 2, the last surviving steam locomotive of the North Staffordshire Railway. Restored Victorian four-wheeled coaches, known as the Knotty coaches, run on special days. The registered museum at the station shows locomotives and railway objects, and the colliery site is opened to visitors during gala events.

Highlights

• Steam train ride of about 50 minutes from Caverswall Road to Dilhorne Park and back
• Free railway museum with locomotives built for local industry
• Victorian Knotty coaches on selected heritage train days
• Station buffet, bar, gift shop and miniature railway
• Seasonal events such as the North Pole Express and afternoon tea trains

Permanent exhibition

• Foxfield Railway Museum – The registered museum shows locomotives and objects from local railways, including the last surviving North Staffordshire Railway steam locomotive and a diesel locomotive of 1929. It is being redisplayed with new exhibits.

Founded

1967

Operated by

Foxfield Light Railway Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the station site is free, and some events charge an entry fee. Train tickets are sold separately through the online ticket portal; fares are not published on the pages consulted. Group visits of 10 or more people must be booked in advance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The car park is level and the station building is step-free apart from a slight slope at the entrance, with ramps to the platform. Disabled parking bays are next to the station. Wheelchair users can board the Mark 1 coaches by ramp, and the Knotty coaches have a guard compartment adapted for two wheelchair users; please speak to the guard or staff on arrival. There are accessible toilets at the station but none on the historic trains. There is no hearing loop. Assistance animals are welcome on the premises and on the trains. The only part of the station without step-free access is the viewing platform.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The station has a miniature railway for children, and the Christmas North Pole Express trains include Santa and an edible treat. Baby changing facilities are in the station.

Getting there & parking

Foxfield is close to both the M6 and the M1 and about 15 minutes from the A50.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The volunteer-run Station Buffet serves hot and cold food, with gluten-free and vegan options. The Foxfield Arms bar is open to ticket holders and other visitors, and the gift shop sells souvenirs, books and ice cream. Visitors may bring their own food and drink. Opening times of the buffet and bar vary by day. Toilets and baby changing are in the station. Dogs on leads are allowed on regular services but not on afternoon tea or North Pole Express trains.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Parties, weddings and other celebrations can use the station buffet, the bar, the grounds or the trains. The buffet and event marquee hold up to 100 people.

Plan your visit