Ribble Steam Railway and Museum

About the museum

Ribble Steam Railway traces its roots to Steamport in Southport, where a society formed in 1971 to save a derelict steam shed and open a locomotive museum. The Southport site opened to the public in 1974. When that site became unsustainable, the group backed a move to Preston, where a long lease was signed in 2000 for land on Chain Caul Road and a railway line across the Preston Docks swing bridge.

The museum building was finished in 2004, and the railway opened to passengers on 17 September 2005. The site also holds a workshop, a running shed and the Exploration Centre, which gives raised views over the collection. Trains run along the River Ribble on a return trip that crosses the dock swing bridge.

The collection grew with the Fleetwood Loco Centre in 2002 and the Furness Railway Trust, which moved from Haverthwaite in 2009. It includes industrial steam and early diesel shunting locomotives, Sentinel locomotives and Helga, a 1950s diesel railbus.

Highlights

• Return train trip of about 35 minutes across the Preston Docks swing bridge
• Collection of steam, diesel and electric locomotives
• Furness Railway No. 20
• Helga, a 1950s diesel railbus
• Exploration Centre with raised views over the collection
• Mr Ribble's Playground and Mrs Ribble's Tea Room

Permanent exhibitions

• Locomotive collection – Industrial steam locomotives, diesel and electric locomotives and other railway vehicles, including Furness Railway No. 20 and the railbus Helga.
• Exploration Centre – A raised viewing area that gives visitors a view over the museum collection.

Founded

2005

Admission & discounts

Standard prices are held at 2025 rates and include museum access, the playground, the tea room and all-day train travel; special events may be priced differently. Standard days can be booked online or paid for on arrival, while Santa specials, dining trains and some other events must be pre-booked. Annual members get discounted entry on operating days, and a season ticket is offered to families who visit more than twice a year.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 railway says it has full disabled facilities with easy access to all areas. A specially adapted coach with ramped access carries wheelchair users and their carers. Assistance and guide dogs are normally allowed in public areas. Disabled parking bays are next to the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Mr Ribble's Outdoor Playground is included in admission. Themed events such as Halloween Spooky Trains and Santa specials are aimed at families, and the website offers children's birthday parties and a family ticket.

Getting there & parking

The site is on Chain Caul Road at Preston Docks; the website links to a map.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Mrs Ribble's Tea Room is included in admission on operating days. Dogs are not allowed in the tea room or the train buffet.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit