Gunpowder Railway

The UK's only Heritage Military Railway

Gunpowder Railway

The UK's only Heritage Military Railway

This is the Gunpowder Railway – 170 years of narrow-gauge history

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Visit and Explore the Gunpowder Railway
Located in Waltham Abbey, Essex, is the Gunpowder Railway.

A fully restored 2ft 6in ex‑military narrow‑gauge line with origins stretching back to 1856. Experience a scenic journey through the historic Gunpowder Mills, winding past woodland, waterways, and mill ruins before arriving at Powdermill Cut Station, followed by an immersive tour of the extensive Railway Works.

Trains next running on: Wednesday 5th August (in 4 days)

Book Tickets
Operating Timetable
Along the Line
History of the Railway
Our Locomotives
Our Rolling Stock
4 Train Service
2 or 3 Train Service
Special Events:
Big & Little / Activity Day
No Trains Running
August / September 2026
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Please Support Us – Help the Gunpowder Railway get even better!

Why not Sponsor A Sleeper for £5 and help us extend the line?

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Accessibility

We have a specially adapted railway carriage that runs in every train and level access/slopes to Platforms and into the Railway Works.

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Children

Children love visiting the railway, however anyone under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult or guardian at all times.

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Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome but currently other pets need to stay at home.

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Food and Drink

A Cafe with a range of drinks, lunch and snack options is near Long Walk Station (alongside the toilets).

Latest News and Developments

View more updates and developments in our comprehensive News and Blog Posts.

The Gunpowder Railway is a beautifully restored former military narrow‑gauge line running for 1 km through the historic Royal Gunpowder Mills site at Waltham Abbey. Once part of an extensive industrial railway network that carried explosive ingredients between 19th and 20th century processing buildings, the railway has been carefully rebuilt by volunteers to bring this remarkable heritage back to life. Visitors ride in converted RNAD wagons, passing atmospheric woodland, waterways, and original mill structures that tell the story of centuries of explosive innovation, described as “the most important site for the history of explosives in Europe”.

No visit is complete without a tour of the Railway Works, and going into the Ordnance Railway Museum visitors can view demonstration trains showcasing the specialist trucks once used to move gunpowder, cordite, TNT, and other materials around the site.

Since reopening for passenger service in 2022, the railway has become a standout attraction, carrying thousands of delighted visitors each year. Two stations, passing loops, and a growing collection of historic locomotives make the journey both scenic and immersive. With planned extensions and ongoing restoration, the Gunpowder Railway offers a unique blend of history, engineering, and adventure and is a perfect highlight for families, railway enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Britain’s industrial past.

A great day out to an ex-military industrial railway – preserved for all to now enjoy.

Buy the book - Railways of the Royal Gunpowder Mills by John Jenkins

Buy Our Book

Republished in 2026 read the full history of the original railways on site since 1856 and how the railways were essential to the safe movement of materials around the site and beyond via the exchange sidings with the LNER at the Small Arms Factory in Enfield.

This book was written by Dr John M Jenkins, who worked at the Explosives Research and Development Establishment at Waltham Abbey.

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