Best steam railways near London – need suggestiions?

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I am very fascinated about steam railways and would like to take up a journey in steam railways near London. With some research, I have narrowed down to the bluebell railway in Sussex, Isle of wight steam railway and The Watercress railway line in Hampshire..

Need your advice on the best of the lot considering my priorities below

1. Easily accessible from London – thru megabus, national express coaches, trains
2. Closest to London within a 2 to 3 hr journey by bus / train
3. Most scenic rail route – I love the country side
4. One with the longest duration of journey – no point traveling all the way just for a 1 mile journey
5. Best value for money overall
Also welcome suggestions on any other steam railway that I have missed which meets these requirements.. Please list the suggestions in the order of your preference with justification.. Thanks..

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Answers


  1. rdenig_male
    Currently, the Bluebell Railway can be reached by train to East Grinstead from London, and then by special bus to its Kingscote Station (school holidays and special events only). Alternatively, you can travel to Haywards Heath and catch Metrobus 270 (weekends only) to Horsted Keynes:- http://www.bluebell-railway.com/directions/by-train/. Hopefully, by March 2013 the northern extension will be finished and you will be able to catch a Bluebell train at East Grinstead, For further details see http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/. It is a very scenic ride through the Sussex countryside. Currently the line is 9 miles long - extending to 11 when the East Grinstead extension is open and a round trip takes about 90 minutes The Watercress line is easily reachable, as it shares Alton Station with Southwest trains from Waterloo.It will take you roughly 2&1/2 hours to get to The Isle of Wight Steam Railway - train to Portsmouth, ferry to Ryde and then the Island line to Smallbrook Junction. In addition to your list there is also the newly reopend Epping-Ongar Railway (http://eorailway.co.uk/) whcih runs between those two twons in Essex. Epping is served by the Central Line of the underground. E-) trains do not run into the station, howver, but there is a connecting bus service. Also consider the Spa Valley Railway between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge (http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/). This is easily reached as its trains share Eridge Station with Southern Trains and connect there with Victoria/Uckfield trains. On this line you can get off and explore the High Rocks area, much used by roack climbers. Finally there is the Kent and East Sussex railway from Tenderden to Bodiam. This needs a bus ride from various railheads in Kent - see http://www.kesr.org.uk/find-us.html. The advantage of this line is that it enables you to explore the remains of Bodiam Castle, surrounded by its moat:- http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle/
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