Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway
Volunteer-run narrow gauge heritage railway at Leadhills, with short rides through old lead-mining country and steam and diesel locomotives.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway runs on part of the track bed of a Caledonian Railway branch line. That standard gauge line was opened around 1900 and left the West Coast Main Line at Elvanfoot, climbing to Leadhills and Wanlockhead to carry lead from the local mines. Most of the mines had closed by 1938, and the branch closed soon after.
A society formed in 1983 to build a new narrow gauge railway on the old route. Track laying began in 1986 and the first trains ran in 1988 over a short stretch from what is now Leadhills station. The line has been extended step by step since then. Today trains run for about three-quarters of a mile from Leadhills station to Glengonnar Halt, passing the Glengonnar mine workings on the way to the county boundary. The railway reaches about 1,500 feet above sea level, which makes it the highest adhesion railway in Britain.
The railway is run by volunteers and has both steam and diesel locomotives. Diesel locomotives normally haul the passenger trains. The railway received an award from the Heritage Railway Association in 2016. A small exhibition at the station, the engine shed and the signal box can also be visited.
Highlights
- Highest adhesion railway in Britain
- Narrow gauge trains through former lead-mining country
- Steam and diesel locomotives
- Return ride of about 25 to 30 minutes to the county boundary
- Option to leave the train at Glengonnar Halt and walk to Wanlockhead
Permanent exhibition
- Steam and diesel locomotives – The railway keeps both steam and diesel locomotives, which are described on its website.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Lowthers Railway Society
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7.50 |
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| Reduced | £6Concessions: OAPs, students and unemployed visitors |
| Children & teens | £3.50Child return fare |
| Seniors | £6Concession fare for OAPs |
| Students & apprentices | £6Concession fare |
Prices are for the return train ride of about 25 minutes. Single tickets and a family ticket are also sold. Members travel on production of a valid card, except on special event days. Tickets can be booked online.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
One wheelchair-accessible carriage takes up to four standard wheelchairs. Access is only possible at Leadhills station. Glengonnar Halt is not suitable for wheelchairs, and the village of Wanlockhead cannot be reached in a wheelchair from the halt.
Kids & families
A reduced child fare is offered.
Getting there & parking
The station is on Station Road above the village of Leadhills. The Museum of Lead Mining in Wanlockhead can be reached on foot from Glengonnar Halt.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The return ride lasts about half an hour. Visitors can get off at Glengonnar Halt and walk to Wanlockhead in about ten minutes; they must tell the guard which train they will take back. Maximum capacity is 30 people per train. The Museum of Lead Mining is in Wanlockhead and has its own opening times. |
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