UK Heritage Railways - Facts & Figures

UK Heritage Railways - The Facts & Figures

Railway preservation is no longer a movement of dedicated railway enthusiasts; it is a big and growing industry and a key factor in tourism programmes in many areas. From the Great Little Trains of Wales which feed hundreds of thousands of visitors into the remoter and lovelier parts of the Principality to busy commuter lines such as the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway, so called Heritage Railways are thriving and thrusting in all directions.

This page sets out little known facts on the strength of the industry which is keen to co-operate with other organisations for filming and PR work, movement of freight and special traffic, hospitality and simple days out. Special catering arrangements, from neo banquets to cream teas, are available on the trains of many railways. Heavy engineering workshops are available for outside work and the railways themselves are often able to provide facilities for main line manufacturers and operators for tasks and tests which would be impossible or at least inconvenient on the main system. The Heritage Railway Association promotes its members and ensures the safety of all its operations.

There are 108 Operating Railways and 60 Steam Centres
operating throughout the UK and Eire.
Total route mileage is 499 miles with 356 stations.
This is greater than the London Underground system
and exceeds the distance between London and Glasgow.
New railways & planned extensions to existing
railways could increase this total to 600 miles.

During 2008, heritage railways and museums received around 7.9 million visitors and carried 6.2 million passengers.

Heritage railways earned around £71 million, 54% of this being from trains journeys, 15% from catering,
13% from shops and the remaining 18% mainly from workshops and charter trains.

Heritage railways directly employ 1,694 people and also benefit from the work of 16,291 volunteers.

Heritage railways rolling stock includes:

1,314
27
1032
282

Steam Locomotives *
Broad gauge (includes Irish 5ft 3in)
Standard gauge (4ft 8½in)
Narrow gauge.

1,367
19
982
358

Diesel and Electric Locomotives *
Broad gauge (includes Irish 5ft 3in)
Standard gauge (4ft 8½in)
Narrow gauge.

* Figures based on data from the Preserved UK Railway Locomotives Database.

225
1,773
1258
515

Diesel Multiple Units
Passenger Coaches
Standard gauge
Narrow gauge

3701
2611
1090
Wagons
Standard gauge
Narrow gauge

Maintenance, repairs and new builds of locomotives and other rolling stock is carried out in 180 workshops.
Around 800 locomotives are in operational condition at any one time, and many of those not currently operational are undergoing routine overhauls or being restored from scrap yard condition.

Some of the larger heritage railways use over 2000 tons of coal annually, with total coal bills of over £100,000.

The National Railway Museum is one of England's top tourist attractions
and received nearly 750,000 visitors at York, and 120,000 at Locomotion during 2006.

Last Updated 20 October 2009 by Mark Dewell.

Heritage railways rolling stock includes:
1,314 27 1032 282	Steam Locomotives * Broad gauge (includes Irish 5ft 3in) Standard gauge (4ft 8½in) Narrow gauge.	1,367 19 982 358	Diesel and Electric Locomotives * Broad gauge (includes Irish 5ft 3in) Standard gauge (4ft 8½in) Narrow gauge.
* Figures based on data from the Preserved UK Railway Locomotives Database.
225 1,773 1258 515	Diesel Multiple Units Passenger Coaches Standard gauge Narrow gauge	3701 2611 1090	Wagons Standard gauge Narrow gauge
Maintenance, repairs and new builds of locomotives and other rolling stock is carried out in 180 workshops. Around 800 locomotives are in operational condition at any one time, and many of those not currently operational are undergoing routine overhauls or being restored from scrap yard condition.