INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR

RCD’s Overview

This railway runs along a former colliery line within the Chasewater Country Park. A short railway, its trains are appropriately hauled by small industrial steam locomotives, as well as occasional multiple units. The railway has something of a local feel, collieries and railways being an intricate part of the history and industrial heritage of the area. In keeping with the local feel, the railway has a policy of low-cost fares and membership fees, and the museum is free (open on train running days from 11am). A visit can be combined with a visit to the Chasewater Country Park.

Happening This Month: September 2023

• Go to 'Homepage' and click into 'Railway Club Calendar'

Key Facts (where and when)

Extent of Railway (where to where):

Brownhills West to Chasetown (Staffordshire)

Principal Visitor Centre:

Brownhills West Station (WS8 7NL)

Period of Operation*

- April to October (Most Saturdays and Sundays)

- August (Also selected Wednesdays and bank holidays)

- December (Special event trains)

 [* This is a summary. Please go to the railway’s website for definitive operating days] 

Key Facts (what you’ll see)

Services usually steam or diesel?

Predominantly steam, but also diesel on some days

Type of Steam / Diesel Locomotives Used:

Small industrial steam locomotives and Pacers

Length of Line:

2 miles

Time taken for a round trip:

1 hour

Number of trains per day:

Up to 5 in each direction

Number of Stations:

4 stations

Prices:

Adult Rover: £7.50. Senior Rover: £6.50. Child: £4.95. Family: £22

Time to allow for Visit:

2 hours

Museum:

Yes, the Chasewater Railway Museum is at Brownhills West station

Shop/Cafe:

Yes/Yes

Picnic/Play areas:

Yes

Preservation Established:

1959

Car Park Facilities:

At Brownhills West (free)

Key Facts (Galas/Events/Dining)

Dining Trains:

- None currently advertised                                                                               

Event Trains:

- Santa Specials: Late November and December 

Principal Galas:

- Made in Staffordshire Gala: May

- Road and Rail Steam Gala: September 

Experiences:

- Driver Experience Courses                                                                               

Contacts

Email:                                                                     admin@chasewaterrailway.co.uk

Telephone:                                                           01543 452 623

Website:                                                                www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk

Social Media:                                                        www.facebook.com/ChasewaterRailway

                                                                                Also on Twitter/ Instagram/ YouTube/ Flickr

INFORMATION FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

Brief History of the Railway and its Preservation  

The Chasewater Railway is a former colliery railway near Chasewater in Staffordshire. The lines in this area were part of a network operated by the National Coal Board to serve coalfields in and around Cannock Chase.  Both the Cannock Chase & Wolverhampton Railway and the Midland Railway has interests in this area, and exchange sidings for coal were built just north of the current Brownhills West Station which the heritage line occupies. The site at Chasewater became available in 1964, and a preservation group obtained a lease over it and developed the site. After a period of decline, in 1985 a new preservation group, the Chasewater Light Railway & Museum Company, took over the preservation effort. It has successfully opened about 2 miles of operational railway for passengers between the station at Brownhills West and a station at Chasetown (Church Street).

Steam Operational Locomotives:

(1) Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0 - ‘Waleswood’ Works No. 750

(2) Hunslet 0-6-0 - ‘Hollybank’

(3) Bagnall 0-4-0 - Dunlop No.6 Works No. 2648

Diesel Operational Locomotives/DMU:

(1) Collection of industrial shunters

(2) Pacer DMU 142029 and 142030

Steam Locomotives Under Overhaul:

(1) Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 ‘S100’ - Works No. 1822

(2) Neilson & Co 0-4-0 – ‘Alfred Paget’ Works No 2937

(3) Sentinel 0-4-0 - No.5

Stored/ Under Restoration/ Out of Service:

- Bagnall 0-4-0 ‘Kent No.2’ (Works No. 2842)

- Hawthorne Leslie 0-4-0 ‘Asbestos’ (Works No. 2780)

- Peckett & Sons 0-4-0 ‘Teddy’ (Works No 2012)

- Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 ‘Sheepbridge No. 15’ (Works No. 431)

- Peckett & Sons 0-4-0 - Works No. 917

INFORMATION ON SUPPORTING THE RAILWAY

Name of Support Group:

The railway operator is the Chasewater Light Railway & Museum Company. There is no separate support group, however it is possible to be a member of the company on application.

Annual membership fee:

Not applicable

Benefits of membership:                                   Not applicable

How to Join:                                                      Not applicable

What They Say About Volunteering:

Chasewater Railway is run by working members who are all volunteers. If you find yourself with time on your hands, why not join our friendly team? With hours to suit, as little or as much time as you want to give, can make a real difference. With opportunities to work in different departments; Operations – footplate crews, Carriage and Wagon, Museum, Shops, Station Staff, Train Crews, Maintenance and Restorations of Rolling Stock, Permanent Way, Narrow Gauge, Model Railway and Events. Previous experience is not necessary as full training will be provided.

How to Volunteer:                 Go to www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk/volunteering

How to Donate:                     Go to www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk/about-us and scroll to bottom of the page to ‘Make a Donation’.

WHY JOIN: Help the railway financially and by volunteering

Information On Other Societies With Related Interest

Those interested in this railway may also be interested in the following railway societies also listed on this

website:

Traditional Railway Societies:

- Industrial Railway Society

Model Railway Clubs:

- Sutton Coldfield Railway Society

- Trent Valley Model Railway Society