About East Anglian Railway Museum
About East Anglian Railway Museum
The East Anglian Railway Museum preserves an important piece of Britain's industrial and cultural heritage. Thanks to the dedication of enthusiasts and volunteers, the museum has transformed into a living archive, bringing railway history to life.
A Little Bit of History
From humble beginnings, the museum has grown into a beloved attraction, offering visitors a chance to experience working locomotives and explore restored railway infrastructure.
A Bumpy Start
Originally founded as the Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society in 1968, the goal was to save the Sudbury-to-Long Melford railway line. Due to lack of funding, the project was unsuccessful, and the line was lost.
Building Steam
In 1969, the society moved to Chappel and Wakes Colne Station, securing a lease from British Rail for the **derelict goods yard, goods shed, signal box, and station buildings**. At the time, the site lacked electricity, and the track was removed.
Despite these challenges, just three months later, the first public **steam ride** took place, carrying visitors along a short stretch of re-laid track. Volunteers continued restoration work for years, acquiring rolling stock and locomotives.
A Museum is Born
By the early **1980s**, the Chappel site transitioned into a **public attraction** and "living archive," allowing visitors to engage with railway history. In **1986**, the society became the **East Anglian Railway Museum**, shifting focus to representing railway heritage in the Eastern Counties.
In **1987**, after years of hard work, the museum officially purchased the Chappel site from the **British Railway Property Board**, partially funded by the sale of a locomotive to a consortium of members.
Full Steam Ahead!
With the future of the museum secured, fundraising efforts continued, with **Steam Days** running along the goods yard track. The museum achieved **charitable status in 1991** and became a **Registered Museum in 1995**.
Today, the **East Anglian Railway Museum** remains dedicated to conserving historically significant railway heritage. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, thousands of visitors each year enjoy stepping back in time and experiencing the magic of Britain’s railway history.
Find Us
Getting to the East Anglian Railway Museum
Sat Nav: Set your GPS to CO6 2DS for easy navigation.
🚗 Arriving by Car
The museum is located in the villages of Chappel and Wakes Colne, approximately **8 miles from Colchester** on the A1124. Follow the **brown Tourist Attraction signs** for "Railway Museum."
Directions:
- From the A12: Use Junction 24 and follow the A1124 towards Halstead.
- Find us: We're on Station Road, near the **Chappel Viaduct** crossroads.
Car Parking:
- 🚗 **Free parking** is available for museum visitors.
- 🚗 The **large front field car park** is only open during museum hours.
- 🚗 **Disabled parking** is available at the front of the museum.
Support Our Charity: As a volunteer-run charity, we maintain the car park and cover cleaning costs. If using our car park **without visiting the museum**, please consider making a donation at the reception or via PayPal.
🛤️ Arriving by Train
The museum is located within Chappel and Wakes Colne National Rail Station, offering direct connections from **Sudbury and Marks Tey**.
Connections:
- Marks Tey: Connects to trains from London, Chelmsford, Colchester, Clacton, and Ipswich.
Important Notice: National Rail services are operated by Greater Anglia and are **not part of museum admission**. Please take care on **Platform 1**, as the service operates seven days a week.
Train Ticket Discount:
- 🚆 Present your train ticket at reception for a **museum discount**.
- 🚆 This discount applies only to **Standard Museum, Event, and Special Event Days**.
- 🚆 It must be redeemed in the **Visitor Reception Centre** (not valid with other offers).
🚌 Arriving by Bus
The museum is accessible via Route 88, operated by **First Essex Bus and Hedingham**.
Bus Route:
- 🚍 Runs between **Colchester Town Centre, Eight Ash Green, Wakes Colne, Earls Colne, and Halstead**.
- 🚍 Stops near **Chappel Viaduct**, a **10-minute walk** up Station Road to the museum.
For detailed bus schedules, visit First Essex Bus or Hedingham Buses.
Contact Details
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