About East Anglian Railway Museum
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
The history of the East Anglian Railway Museum is one of hard work, sweat and steam, as a small number of dedicated enthusiasts and volunteers strived to ensure the survival of an important piece of our industrial and cultural heritage.
A BUMPY START
The Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society was initially formed in 1968 with the aim of preserving the recently closed stretch of line from Sudbury to Long Melford, a distance of some three miles. However, lack of funding meant this project was ultimately unsuccessful and the line was lost.
BUILDING STEAM
The following year the society re-established at Chappel and Wakes Colne Station after securing a lease from British Rail for the derelict goods yard, goods shed, signal box and station buildings. Members were faced with a daunting task – the site was without electricity and the track had been dismantled in preparation for removal.
Despite this, the first public “steaming” took place just three months later, when the only operational locomotive carried passengers along a short stretch of re-laid track. The hard work continued for many years as buildings were restored the teams took delivery of a miscellany of rolling stock and locomotives.
A MUSEUM IS BORN
In the early 1980s the Chappel site changed to become a public attraction, or “living archive”, for the benefit and enjoyment of the community.
In 1986 the society officially became the East Anglian Railway Museum to confirm its focus on representing railway history of the Eastern Counties rather than just operating trains. The following year we were (finally) able to purchase the Chappel site from the British Railway Property Board, part funded by the sale of a locomotive to a consortium of members.
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FULL STEAM AHEAD!
With the future of the site assured, fund-raising continued by operating Steam Days along the length of the goods yard. The East Anglian Railway Museum was granted charitable status in 1991 and became a Registered Museum in 1995.
The Museum remains dedicated to the conservation of a historically significant representation of our regional railway heritage, largely through the efforts of volunteers. As a result, thousands of visitors every year are able to enjoy seeing a working museum and witness a slice of “living history”.
Find Us
Getting to the East Anglian Railway Museum.
Set your Sat Nav to CO6 2DS.
🚗 Arriving by Car - CAR PARKING
🌟 We are located in the villages of Chappel and Wakes Colne, around 8 miles outside Colchester on the A1124, you can follow the brown Tourst Attraction signs for Railway Museum.
🌟 From the A12, use Junction 24 and follow the A1124 towards Halstead, We’re in Station Road, which can be found at the Crossroads near to the large Chappel Viaduct.
🌟 There is free parking at the front of the Museum for customers that visit the Museum, please be aware the large front field car park is open during Museum open hours only.
As a Charity our volunteers spend a lot of time maintaining the site including the car park and we pay to have the toilets cleaned. If you are parking in our car park when the Museum is open AND ARE NOT VISITING THE MUSEUM we would appreciate a donation to the Museum either in person at our visitor reception centre (where the toilets are) or via PayPal link below.
🛤️ Arriving by Train
🌟 We are located within the National Rail Station of Chappel and Wakes Colne, direct trains from Sudbury and Marks Tey, with connections at Marks Tey from London, Chelmsford, Colchester, Clacton and Ipswich.
🌟 National Rail services are provided by Greater Anglia and are not part of Museum admission, please be aware this service operates seven days per week, and care should therefore be taken when on Platform 1.
🌟 If you arrive by train, present your ticket in the reception for a discount. Sorry this discount is not available in conjuction with any other offer and is only valid on Standard Museum, Event and Specal Event Days and must be redeemed in the Visitor Reception Centre.
🚌 Arriving by Bus
🌟 We are located just off Route 88 operated by First Essex Bus and Hedingham. This operates between Colchester Town Centre, Eight Ash Green, Wakes Colne, Earls Colne and Halstead.
🌟 Buses stop by the Chappel Viaduct, which is a 10 minute walk up Station Road to the Museum.
For more details please search for First Essex or Hedingham Buses.
Contact Details
East Anglian Railway Museum
Registered in England
Registered office:
Chappel & Wakes Colne Station,
Colchester.
Essex.
CO6 2DS
Registered Company:
Limited by Guarantee No 2546486
Telephone:
01206 242524
Email:
reception@earm.co.uk