Business Details
East Anglian Railway Museum: Preserving Railway Heritage in Essex
The East Anglian Railway Museum is a volunteer-run heritage railway attraction dedicated to preserving and showcasing the UK's railway history. Established as a registered charity (No. 1001579) and company limited by guarantee (No. 2546486), we operate from Chappel & Wakes Colne Station in Essex. Our museum offers immersive experiences through operational vintage trains, including steam and diesel locomotives, alongside a model railway club and miniature railway rides. We host family-friendly events year-round, such as the popular Day Out with Thomas, seasonal beer festivals, and special themed days like Santa Express.Open weekends and Wednesdays, with extended hours during peak seasons, we provide educational opportunities and hands-on volunteering roles for those passionate about railway heritage. Our GiftAid scheme enhances visitor contributions, and our online bookshop supports preservation efforts. Collaborating with CAMRA for beer festivals, we combine historical preservation with community engagement. As a charity reliant on donations and volunteers, we ensure these historic assets remain accessible for future generations.
Services
Museum Viewing
Model Railway Club
Miniature Railway
Day Out With Thomas
Steam & Diesel Days
Beer Festivals
Online Book Sales
Driver Experience Days
Volunteering Programs
Event Hosting
Highlights and features
- We offer immersive railway heritage experiences for all ages through operational vintage trains.
- Our events combine education and entertainment, including the Day Out with Thomas programme.
- Supporting preservation through volunteer opportunities and donations since 1980.
- Hosted in a historic setting with working steam and diesel locomotives.
- Collaboration with CAMRA for unique beer festival fundraising events.
What people say
Immersive railway history
Excellent Thomas events
Knowledgeable volunteers
Unique volunteering opportunities
Scenic train rides
Services
Museum Viewing
Explore our collection of historic locomotives and railway memorabilia at Chappel & Wakes Colne Station. Open weekends and Wednesdays, visitors experience preserved steam and diesel engines, carriages, and interactive exhibits. Ideal for railway enthusiasts and families seeking educational outings.
Day Out With Thomas
Join themed train journeys featuring Thomas the Tank Engine during special seasonal events. Designed for young children, these experiences include storytelling, activities, and rides on heritage locomotives. Book tickets in advance for guaranteed boarding.
Beer Festivals
Attend biannual beer festivals held in March and September, supporting both the museum and CAMRA. Over 100 real ales available alongside live music and food stalls. Proceeds fund railway preservation and community engagement initiatives.
Volunteering Programs
Contribute to railway preservation through hands-on roles in train operations, maintenance, and event management. No prior experience required training provided. Volunteers play vital roles in daily operations and special events.
Driver Experience Days
Participate in locomotive driving experiences under professional supervision. Available for steam and diesel engines, these sessions offer unique insights into railway operations. Bookings include safety briefings and hands-on control time.
Questions
What are the museum's opening hours?
Open weekends and Wednesdays: 10:00-17:00 (April-October), 10:00-16:00 (November-March). Closed Christmas period and immediately before/after beer festivals.
Are there family events available?
Yes! Day Out with Thomas sessions, Santa Express, Transport Extravaganza, and seasonal steam days provide family-friendly railway experiences throughout the year.
How can I support the museum?
Support through admission donations (with GiftAid), volunteering roles, online book purchases, or direct contributions. Corporate partnerships also available.
Are train rides available?
Yes. Miniature railway rides operate daily, with heritage locomotive journeys during special events and Driver Experience Days.
What facilities are available?
On-site parking, gift shop, refreshments at events, and accessible facilities. Check specific event pages for detailed amenities.
Can I host events at the museum?
Yes. Venue hire available for private functions, weddings, and corporate events. Contact us for availability and packages.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Dawn Helm-Nurney
Dec 31, 2021
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Amazing place. My boys loved it here. The trains and museum are really interesting. You can ride the steam train too. The have lots of events throughout the year. The staff are really helpful too. Martin went out of his way to show us some stuff and gave us extra information, brilliant. We'll definitely visit again.
Daniel Schofield
Dec 30, 2021
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We went for Days out with Thomas! Very friendly and helpful staff and crew! We took a buggy and was easy to maneuver overall around the facility. Very spacious and open. Kids loved it and the trains and facilities were very clean and covid safe.
Laura Rozier
Dec 21, 2021
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The best day out with my train crazy 4 year old! We rode on Thomas, saw various characters, meet the Fat Controller, saw the rusty & dusty show, Father Christmas and more! So much to do and see he was knackered! The festive day with Thomas was great for all ages! We will deffo be back in the summer!
Random Rosh
Dec 21, 2021
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We really enjoy visiting this museum and also the events that they host. Today we attended the Christmas day out with thomas. Everything was well set out and managed and my children were able to enjoy all the rides and shows. Santa was brilliant and put in a lot of effort.
Henry Spurgeon
Dec 18, 2021
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Visited here for the CAMRA beer festivals, Thomas the Tank Engine days and general visits. It has always been a great experience and continues to grow/improve. Lovely peaceful site to explore, lots to see on steam days and plenty of friendly volunteer staff helping it all run smoothly. Highly recommend to families and train enthusiasts.
Gav War
Dec 14, 2021
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I feel compelled to leave a review after our day with Thomas. The staff were fantastic and made the experience even better. Friendly, polite, always waving and big smiles everywhere. Everyone from the drivers to catering staff. They are a credit to the museum.
Craig Messenger
Dec 12, 2021
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Really lovely place and great day out with Thomas Tank Engine Day. Would highly recommend for both young and old. Will definitely return in the future.
