Northampton & Lamport Railway
A volunteer-run heritage railway north of Northampton with steam and diesel trains over two miles of the former Northampton to Market Harborough line.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Northampton & Lamport Railway uses part of the former London & North Western Railway line between Northampton and Market Harborough, designed by George R. Stephenson and opened in 1859. After a stop-start final period, passenger services ended in 1973 and British Rail closed the line completely in 1981. The county council then bought it and turned most of the route into the Brampton Valley Way country park, and the railway leases the track bed at Pitsford & Brampton.
A preservation group formed in 1981 began collecting stock in the old goods yard at Pitsford & Brampton in 1983, and three years later it adopted the Northampton & Lamport Railway name. Rebuilding the station and laying track began in 1987. The first passengers rode on 19 November 1995 and the line was officially reopened on 31 March 1996. An extension beyond Bridge 13 followed in 2002, and a new southern station at Boughton opened on 30 March 2024.
Today volunteers run about two miles of line between Pitsford & Brampton and Boughton, with steam and heritage diesel trains on Sundays and at special events. The railway also has a working signal box and a stock of historic locomotives and coaches, and it plans to extend north towards Spratton. The year 2026 marks 30 years since the official opening.
Highlights
- Steam and heritage diesel trains on a two-mile line
- Working signal box that visitors can look into
- Accessibility compartment and ramp for wheelchair users
- Santa Specials and other seasonal event trains
- Brampton Valley Way walking and cycling path alongside the line
Permanent exhibitions
- Locomotive and rolling stock collection – Steam and heritage diesel locomotives, carriages and wagons that run on or are restored at the railway.
- Pitsford & Brampton signal box – A fully operational signal box that controls all train movements; visitors may look in but should not distract the signalman.
- Operated by
- Northampton Steam Railway Limited (volunteer-run)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £7.50Concessions: 65 and over, students, NHS and Forces card holders |
| Children & teens | £7.50free up to age 1 · Ages 2 to 17; under 2s are free. |
| Seniors | £7.50Aged 65 and over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · One carer accompanying a disabled passenger travels free; proof of carer status is requested. |
| Students & apprentices | £7.50 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Discounts for groups of 10 or more. |
| Families | £252 adults and 2 children. |
| All-day Rover (adult) | £17Normal operating days only. |
| All-day Rover (child) | £16Normal operating days only. |
| All-day Rover (concession) | £13Normal operating days only. |
Prices are for a return ride on normal operating days; special events can cost more. Booking online in advance is cheaper, and advance prices for normal running days are held at 2025 levels. Members of the railway's CIO get at least 40 percent off except at special events, and Heritage Railway Association passes are accepted for free travel on most days.
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
Every service train has an accessibility compartment with space for one wheelchair user and two companions, or four seated passengers, and it also serves as a quiet space; it must be booked as a separate ticket type. A purpose-built ramp at Pitsford & Brampton and a folding ramp at Boughton give access to the trains. There is a dedicated disabled parking space that does not require a Blue Badge, an accessible toilet at Pitsford & Brampton and ramp access to the shop. Boughton has no accessible toilet. There are no toilets on the train, and the journey takes about 45 minutes.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 1 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £25 · 2 adults and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Baby changing facilities
Children pay reduced fares and a family ticket is offered. Seasonal family events include Halloween trains, Santa Paws and Santa Specials with breakfast with Santa. Baby changing is at Pitsford & Brampton but not at Boughton.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Welford Road bus stops · 150 m
Boughton station is close to Stagecoach route 14, which runs hourly from Northampton town centre including Sundays and bank holidays; passengers get off at the stops on Welford Road (A5199) just south of The Windhover pub and walk 150 metres north.
By car
Free parking
Free parking is at Pitsford & Brampton Station, which is where drivers are advised to go, including disabled bays. There is no parking at Boughton; the nearest public car park is the Brampton Valley Way car park in Brampton Lane.
- Accessible parking
Pitsford & Brampton Station is on Pitsford Road between Chapel Brampton and Pitsford, next to the Brampton Halt pub, about 5 miles north of Northampton. Bicycles cannot be taken on the train, but there are places to leave them securely.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Platform 3 Buffet at Pitsford & Brampton sells hot and cold drinks, ice lollies, snacks and freshly prepared hot food on operating days, and a souvenir shop sells gifts, books and toys. Boughton has a small shop and a buffet coach.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
The railway can be hired for private events, filming and photography, and for rail-sector testing and training. A classroom for up to 8 people is available.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A return train ride lasts about 45 to 50 minutes. For most operating days tickets can be bought at the booking office on arrival, but events such as Santa Specials and cream teas must be booked in advance. School trips for 40 to 70 pupils include talks, demonstrations and hands-on signal box activities. Driver experiences can be booked. |
