Telford Steam Railway

About the museum

Telford Steam Railway runs over part of the former Wellington and Severn Junction Railway, later part of the Wellington to Craven Arms line. The Great Western Railway and then British Railways operated it until passenger services ended on 23 July 1962, and freight lasted until 1983. The Telford Horsehay Steam Trust was formed in 1974 and the railway in 1976. Work began on Spring Village station in 1976 and it opened to the public in 1984. The old goods transhipment shed beyond the platform, built in 1860, is now the engine shed.

After the Grade II listed Heath Hill Tunnel was restored and the track relaid, a third station was built at Lawley Village, where work began in 2005. It was opened in 2015 as the northern end of the line. A round trip between Spring Village, Lawley Village and Horsehay and Dawley takes about 50 minutes. Alongside the standard-gauge line the railway runs a short 2 ft narrow-gauge line around Horsehay Pool, where the steam tram Thomas Telford, built in 1979 for Telford Town Park, is the only steam tramway in the country.

Visitors can also see model railway exhibitions at Railway House and Spring Village and, new for 2026, a railwayana museum with artefacts from railways and industry in Telford. The railway campaigns to extend the line towards Ironbridge Gorge and holds special events such as the Polar Express Train Ride at Christmas.

Highlights

• Standard-gauge steam and diesel trains through Heath Hill Tunnel
• Telford Town Tramway, the only steam tramway in the UK
• Model railway exhibitions in Railway House and at Spring Village
• New railwayana museum with local railway and industry artefacts
• The Polar Express Train Ride in the weeks before Christmas

Permanent exhibitions

• Standard-gauge railway – A one-mile heritage line from 1859 through Heath Hill Tunnel, worked by steam and diesel locomotives between three stations.
• Telford Town Tramway – A narrow-gauge line around Horsehay Pool run by the steam tram Thomas Telford, with a stop at the Old Loco Shed.
• Model railways and railwayana museum – Three model railway exhibitions and, new for 2026, a museum of artefacts from the railways and industry of Telford, open on selected dates.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Telford Horsehay Steam Trust

Admission & discounts

The day rover ticket gives unlimited rides on the standard-gauge trains and the narrow-gauge line on the day, and entry to the model railway exhibition and the small museum. Prices may differ for special events. Members of some organisations, such as the Heritage Railway Association, get discounts on train tickets with a valid card. Tickets for normal running days are sold at the Freight Stop Gift Shop at Spring Village; some special events can be booked in advance.

Accessibility

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

Spring Village station and its booking office and shop are wheelchair friendly, reached by a gravel path up a shallow slope; Horsehay and Dawley station is reached by a steep paved ramp. The heritage coaches can take wheelchairs within standard public-transport dimensions through double doors at the rear of the train, and crew will help. The steam tramway is not wheelchair accessible. The Railway House model railway is reached through a narrow door and a step. Accessible toilets and baby changing are at Spring Village; there are no toilets on the trains. Assistance dogs are allowed in all areas, and other well-behaved dogs on a lead travel free on the trains.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Family events include Easter and a Teddy Bears Picnic, Pirates and Princesses Day and the Polar Express Train Ride. A family day ticket and a cheap family saver ticket are available. Pushchairs are carried at the rear of the train and may need folding when it is busy. Baby changing is at Spring Village.

Getting there & parking

The railway is about a 10-minute drive from Telford town centre, 3 miles from Ironbridge Gorge and about 6 minutes from M54 Junction 6. The Spring Village station address for sat navs is The Old Loco Shed, Bridge Road, Horsehay, TF4 2NF.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Furnaces Tearoom at Horsehay and Dawley station serves breakfast, meals, drinks and snacks; dogs other than assistance dogs are not allowed inside. The Freight Stop Gift Shop is at Spring Village, and there is a second-hand bookstore at Horsehay and Dawley station.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit