Situated in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds in the West Yorkshire in the north of England is this small personal light railway. It is the the work of one man, with help from friends and family. It can be seen running most Sundays, where, for a small fee, you can have a ride.

There is a long history of electric railways in the UK. Using both the third rail and overhead catenary. The Southern Railway is the best known of the former while the transpennine route was the best known of the latter. However even parts of the southern started as overhead. Also the NER had a length of catenary track for many years.

Early Electric Locomotives

NER no 3 to 12

Electric Train Movies

Steam Railways

As my childhood involved steam locomotives, I was always more keen to see a diesel or electric loco. This was after many miles travel behind Bullieds and Gresleys best.

Consequently steam interests have tended towards the different. Meyers, Mallets, shays and their like hold more interest still than the afore mentioned engine designers. Also I consider that steam engines were of their time, and any new designs must fit in with the needs of the present. In this country this means as part of the leisure industry rather than a commercial alternative to diesel or electric locomotion.

Design ideas for a new steam locomotive

Movies of Steam Locomotives

Railbuses were designed to make the best use of country branch line. In most cases the motor bus does a better job, especially on short routes. For longer routes, through inhospitable territory the railbus comes into its own