What are the opening hours?

Saturday 11am - 4:30pm Sunday 11am - 4:30pm

https://www.gunpowderrailway.com/

Gunpowder Railway, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey (2026)

18/06/2026

A warm morning on site soon turned into a hot, heavy afternoon, but even with only a small core team we still managed to pack an impressive amount into the day. Steady progress continued inside shed 83C with more of the internal painting completed, a far cooler job than anything outdoors. Meanwhile, the toys were set out ready for a visit from Essex Heritage Trust, before the end panel for wagon B10 was moved into 83A for cleaning and prep ahead of painting. The Baguley also received a top‑up of 50 litres of diesel as it was running a little low.

Tidying work carried on across the site while upgrades to Tinkabell were completed, including a new working alternator, addition of key start and a battery isolator switch. Mid‑morning, the annual LOLER inspection took place on the hoist units in 83A, with everything passing and certified for another year. Over in workshop 83B, a new light fitting brightened the space considerably, followed by the initial setting‑out of the new lighting in the container.

After lunch, Tinkabell along with the manrider headed out for their first run along the main line she is a sweet little locomotive and a pleasure to drive. As the driver put it: “Tinkabell is quiet and powerful - changing gear up is OK but changing down is a black art I have not fully mastered yet! BUT SUCH GOOD FUN!”

Essex Heritage Trust arrived around half past two for a guided tour and an in‑depth explanation of the work carried out on site and the restoration philosophy behind it. They were genuinely impressed by what has been achieved and by the passion shown for the railway - their words, not mine.

Once the excitement was over, the toys were put away, the site was closed up, and we left around half past three. A long, hot day, but absolutely worthwhile thanks to the hard work of everyone involved.

13/06/2026

A much better day on site today as it was sunny, bright, and warming up hour by hour. The team was small thanks to holidays and other commitments, but we still made the day count. With it being a Mills Open Day, trains were run and happy passengers carried and the operation ran smoothly throughout.

Lineside work began early, with the new flat wagon put straight to use with its first ever run along the line this wagon is destined to become our new brake van. The brambles and encroaching vegetation from Powdermill Cut to Long Walk were cut back, giving the line a much cleaner and more open feel. Inside shed 83A, a good amount of tidying and cleaning took place. The space now looks far more professional and organised, which is exactly what was needed.

Around the Generator Room, the nettles and growth were cleared away, and work continued on the key‑start and alternator systems for Tinkabell. Elsewhere, both the Baguley and the Ruhrthaler were given a thorough clean, leaving them looking smart. The long‑neglected corner outside the entrance to workshop 83B was also tackled, with years of accumulated muck finally cleared away... A job well overdue and very satisfying to see completed.

After lunch, attention turned to the external area near the dumper truck, where debris from the construction of shed 83D had built up. This was tidied and sorted, restoring some order to the space. Meanwhile, the essential workshop tasks continued steadily in the background, as they always do.

All in all, a good day with plenty achieved. A small team, but a productive one, and the site is looking all the better for it.

10/06/2026

What a week it’s already been on the railway, with private bookings keeping the trains running from Monday through Wednesday.

Monday began in truly soggy fashion. The Mills were drenched, the rails were slick, and every movement needed care. Even so, with generous amounts of sand and a bit of determination, two successful trains were run for a visiting school group—another thirty‑five delighted passengers added to the tally.

Tuesday brought another school party, this time with far kinder weather. Sunshine and dry spells dominated, broken only by a brief shower. Spirits were high and the trains ran smoothly, carrying a further thirty‑three happy visitors.

By Wednesday the pattern of mixed weather had firmly set in: dark clouds, bursts of heavy rain, and then sudden warm sunshine. A small team was on site, but plenty was achieved. Work continued on Tinkabell with the fitting of a new alternator and key‑switch start, while the Dough wagon chassis received a final clean‑down with a powered wire brush. A private group of fifteen enjoyed a full railway experience, including a ride and a guided tour of the exhibits and workshops. They arrived mid‑morning and stayed for two hours... Always a good sign that the visit hit the mark.

Elsewhere, workshop tasks ticked along steadily, the interior of shed 83C gained more fresh paint, and the Dough wagon wheelsets received their topcoat, now ready to be reunited with the chassis.

All in all, a worthwhile and productive few days, showcasing the railway at its best and sending a steady stream of visitors home with smiles.

08/06/2026

It was a wet and blustery Saturday 6th on site, with frequent heavy showers, meant another day focused on under‑cover jobs. Despite the weather, good progress was made across several projects.

Work continued on repairing the transmission leak on the Baguley, and by mid‑afternoon the locomotive was ready to return to service. Out on the line, the public service was operated using Gilbert with one coach and the brakevan, supported by manual sanding in the worst of the conditions - a special treat using the ex-NCB Colliery locomotive in passenger service. However, only one train ran today, carrying eight of the eleven visitors to site. Even allowing for the very poor weather, attendance remains on the low side - its tough sometimes but we keep going.

Elsewhere, more diesel was added to the generator, and Gilbert was topped up directly from the main tank using the extended hose for the first time. Wagon chassis B10 was extracted from shed 83E and moved into the workshop for its black topcoat. Discussions also took place on the best method for straightening one of the body end panels and securing the panels to the chassis.

Steady progress continued on the Dough wagon wheelsets, with cleaning, undercoating and topcoating moving forward. Lettering was applied to the side panels of carriage TO211, adding another small but satisfying step toward completion.

In the workshop, the motorised trolley project reached a milestone as the engine was coaxed into life. A few more adjustments should see it ready for its first run around the yard.

Despite the relentless rain, it was a productive day overall, with several tasks pushed forward thanks to the hard work of everyone on site.

06/06/2026

Don’t miss this amazing fun family and enthusiasts weekend in Waltham Abbey. Our big trains meet little model railways with a celebration of all things trains and their use in industry.

Ideal for all train fans big or small. Ride the Gunpowder Railway and our Miniature Railway explore the Railway Works plus watch the model ones too.

Gunpowder Mills

04/06/2026

Special treat for industrial locomotive fans this Saturday sees Gilbert our Hunslet ex-NCB colliery locomotive in charge of the passenger trains. This is while our usual locomotive is being repaired for a failure in it’s hydraulic transmission.

03/06/2026

A cooler day on site, with a steady breeze and bursts of heavy rain, set the tone for a mostly under‑cover Wednesday. With the usual mid‑week team assembled, we focused on jobs that kept us out of the worst of the weather.

The morning began with shifting a large stack of timber floorboards which were recently acquired free of charge and delivered to site out of the PW yard and into the storage container. While that was happening, a steady rhythm of nail‑pulling prepared the boards for future use. Inside shed 83C, undercoating continued on the internal walls, while over in 83A various locomotives and stock were shuffled around to make space for the Baguley to be positioned in front of the vehicle lifts for attention to a hydraulic leak. Once in place, work could begin on that repair.

Elsewhere, chassis B10 was brought out of shed 83E and moved into the main workshop for its final clean‑down and a fresh coat of red oxide. A test of the seized brakes on the tower wagon followed, using the Gilbert to couple up to the two green open carriages and the tower wagon. The initial attempt showed promise with some movement at last however, the brake rigging will still need a generous dose of lubrication before it behaves properly.

With the Gilbert also needed for passenger trains next Saturday, it was coupled to the service set (brakevan and coaches) for a driving practice run along the line. The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic: heavy rain, wet rail, and 4.5 tons of locomotive trying to haul 10.25 tons of train up the gradients made for a lively introduction. Careful handling and liberal use of the sanders kept everything moving.

After lunch, attention returned to the dough wagon wheelsets. It was a stubborn job but, eventually everything went back together, ready for painting and reinstallation. Meanwhile, workshop tasks continued steadily, including a couple of hours of finishing touches on the motorised trolley project.

Despite the weather, it was a productive day all round, with several projects nudged forward and a good sense of progress across the site.

30/05/2026

A hot, dry and brilliantly sunny day at the railway and a good number of the faithful were there, and we got a number of tasks achieved before it was time to run trains.

The morning began with a burst of activity. The fire‑alarm call‑point standard was relocated to its new home outside ARS2, while fresh publicity posters were added into the carriages. A donations box and supporting “fund raising” posters, to help cover future costs of restoring more wagons, were set up in the entrance to museum shed 83C, giving the place a more welcoming, purposeful feel.

Up on Gnome Hill bank, the loose soil that had slumped down the cutting and piled up against the outside edge of the running rail was finally cleared away. It had risen so high that locomotive bufferbeams were starting to plough through it, but by lunchtime the rail edge was clean, tidy and properly dressed again. Hopefully the deer that run along there won’t kick any more down.

Work continued steadily across the Railway Works Yard. The timber lighting battens in the new container grew another section. The Dough wagon chassis endured another round of descaling. New roofing sheets for 83D were moved safely indoors, and plans were drawn up for how best to fix them ... Only to discover the screws were the wrong type, bringing progress to a reluctant halt until the correct fixings can be sourced.

The ex-Dough wagon wheelsets then decided to put up a fight in the workshop. What should have been a half‑hour job per axle turned into a stubborn, drawn‑out battle to fit additional gauge‑spacing shims. Even with extra hands, the assemblies resisted every attempt to persuade them apart. Slow going, but progress nonetheless.

Elsewhere in the yard, the sea mine gained its new mock horns and now looks strikingly impressive now a real visual anchor for the area.

All of this took place against the backdrop of the Mills’ 1940s weekend, which brought a steady stream of visitors. Four busy trains ran throughout the day, including guided tours of ARS2 which is now finally complete and with a 1940's display inside. The feedback was warm, enthusiastic and genuine. People loved the ride, the atmosphere, the stories, the sense of stepping into something cared for.

A long, hot day, full of small victories and steady progress. And in the end, the smiles from visitors made it all worthwhile.

27/05/2026

A warm but far more forgiving day on site brought a smaller team together, yet plenty still moved forward under the sun.

The morning began with a walk‑through of the area outside ARS2 alongside colleagues from the Mills. With the plan agreed, the loose earth around the entrances was levelled and tamped, the building plaques were rested on an old sleeper, and a hefty slab was positioned and levelled to take the restored fire‑alarm call‑point post ready for the 1940’s weekend. Weed‑clearing and a layer of tamped chippings will follow, steadily turning the space into a tidy, functional exhibit area. The appreciation expressed for the Railway team’s efforts was very welcome.

Inside shed 83C, undercoating began on the walls to brighten the space and better showcase the museum heritage RNAD and cordite fleet. Being half‑term, it was also a Kids Activity Day, and four trains ran throughout the day each nearly full, meaning we carried an impressive number of happy passengers.

Elsewhere, workshop tasks continued steadily, including working out the best method for fixing the replica lead detonator horns to the sea mine. It’s one of those small but important details that make a big difference to the final display.

A hot day, a reduced team, but a long list of achievements. Thanks to everyone who ran trains, painted, dug, lifted, levelled, and generally kept things moving. It all adds up.

24/05/2026

A bright, sunny and eventually rather hot day on site, with a slightly smaller team than usual but no shortage of progress.

The morning began with freshly painted signs being moved into position beside ARS2, ready to take pride of place out front once the hardstanding is complete ready for visitors to explore ARS2 as part of the 1940’s weekend next Saturday and Sunday Over by the PW yard, work continued on the “gate post” tanks, with plenty of sanding, scraping and surface prep to get them ready for repainting.

Out on the main line, a combined track inspection and clearance test took place using one of the newly arrived wagons taking its first proper run in decades. Despite its age it rolled beautifully, noticeably softer riding than the existing carriages. Powdermill Cut station presented no issues, but Long Walk revealed a bit of track settlement: the wagon can pass through, but at the midpoint of the platform the drop side flap on the new wagon can’t be opened so that means work for the PW track Gang in the future to resolve the track movement issues. Meanwhile, more painting and panelling work continued on 83D.

Once the wagon was safely back, attention turned to a hydrolic oil fluid leak on the Baugley, which looks likely to need another gasket. Then the passenger services then got underway, with the 12:45 train heading out while cleaning and debris removal continued on the new wagons.

After lunch the heat really set in, but the tanks still received a full coat of bright white paint which now resembling giant tiktak sweets (I don’t think white is the final colour planned?). Work on Tinkabell progressed too, with a new alternator being installed, complete with a freshly fabricated mounting bracket. Panelling work on 83D carried on steadily through the afternoon.

Three trains ran in total (as the 11:35 cancelled due to the Baugley oil leak), carrying plenty of happy passengers and earning excellent feedback on the Railway Works tour. A busy, productive day with lots of small but meaningful steps forward across the site.

Gunpowder Railway

18/06/2026

13/06/2026

10/06/2026

08/06/2026

06/06/2026

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

30/05/2026

27/05/2026

24/05/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category