Step aboard for a mile-long adventure through the Staffordshire countryside. From steep gradients to scenic brooks, discover what awaits you on the rails.
Your Adventure Begins
Every great railway journey starts at the station. At Amerton, you will pick up your tickets from our charming Booking Office—lovingly based on the classic Colonel Stephens design from the Rye and Camber Tramway.
Once you step out onto the platform and the train pulls in, you can take a moment to admire the locomotive at the head of our vintage carriages. Before the guard secures the safety chains and gives the driver the “Right Away,” take a glance over at the Yard. This is the heart of our railway, where our dedicated volunteer engineering team maintains our historic fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, as well as our carriages. If there is time before departure, our friendly train crew might even give you a quick guided tour of the sheds!
Out on the Line
As we leave the station, the locomotive quickly gets to work. The line straightens out and tackles a 1 in 100 climb. Listen to the engine working hard as we pass farm crossings and old oak trees, leaning into a tight left-hand bend where the gradient steepens to 1 in 75.
After cresting the summit, you can sit back and relax as the train sweeps gently downwards, hugging the fence line and passing our scenic wetland areas. Keep an eye out for local wildlife!
Chartley Halt and The Brook
Midway through the journey, the train navigates a set of sweeping reverse curves into Chartley Halt. You are very welcome to disembark here and make use of our beautiful picnic area! It is the perfect spot to relax, enjoy your lunch in the countryside, and watch the trains pass by on our continuous circuit.
During our special events, this passing loop is a hive of activity where you can see passenger and freight trains exchanging the token and carrying on around the railway in opposite directions. In December, it even transforms into a magical winter wonderland as the destination for our incredibly popular Santa Specials!
For the final leg of the trip, the line follows the banks of the Amerton Brook. Hold on tight as we cross two substantial steel bridges and navigate a steep 1 in 35 drop, before the track curves smoothly back into Amerton Station. During our galas, it is worth watching the freight trains departing up this 1 in 35 incline, it’s quite a work out for them!
Experience Something Special
Because our track is a continuous circuit, we can run trains in both directions. On our spectacular gala weekends, we often run demonstration freight trains alongside our regular passenger services, giving you a true taste of Britain’s narrow-gauge industrial past.