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Kirkby Stephen
Things to do in Kirkby Stephen
Stainmore Railway Company
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Stainmore Railway Company

See all things to do
See all things to do
Stainmore Railway Company
5
#1 of 14 things to do in Kirkby Stephen
Speciality Museums
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
We are a volunteer run heritage railway established in 1997 and open to the public since 2011. We are open to the public Easter - December at weekends 10am -4pm (mainly Sundays with some Saturdays for events). We are currently run trains on special event days, have a museum, restored Station Master's Office and plenty of rolling stock including historic the Victorian locomotive 910 which is part of the National Collection. We have a fully stocked shop with a wide range of model railway items, books, children's toys, Gibsons puzzles and much more. Tours of our workshop and maintenance facility are available but not suitable for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users Our catering facility in our 1930s buffet car is available on event days (see website for details). We have a disabled access ramp and our website includes an accessibility guide. Work on our disabled toilet and baby change facility is yet to start and we are sorry that we cannot provide this at present.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
144 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
26
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Graham B
Durham, UK94 contributions
Smaller is better
Mar 2023 • Family
I try to visit at least a couple of times a year. This is a great little railway. The buffet is cheap and tasty and the staff are always friendly and polite. I usually try and visit for the Railwayania event which see lots of dealers.

The ride is only short but don’t let that detract from your visit. Highly recommended.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Many thanks for your review and repeat visit
Written 9 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
djpend
Preston, UK1,103 contributions
A very progressive railway worthy of a visit and support
Jul 2023 • Friends
The new car park had been opened that day. We were given a guided tour. Lots of work in progress to a very high standard of authenticity. Some coaches had eight coats of paint. The new buiding kept the coaching stock under cover and finally concreting the floor is an urgent next project. There is a colour film of the history of the line. Catering was good and reasonable prices.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Many thanks for your visit and your review.
Written 16 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BobS26_13
Ely, UK89 contributions
A great historic railway experience
Jun 2023 • Solo
I have historic connections to Kirkby Stephen East so it was to some extent a nostalgic trip. Though I went on a non running day I was made very welcome by the people and there is a lot to see in a small space. The quality of the workmanship on the restored coaches has to be seen to be believed. My guide explained the history of the coaches being worked on and we were allowed to sit in the restored compartments.

The shop had a good collection of new and second hand books and railway memorabilia.

The other attraction is Barras the station cat, a very large friendly black and white tom. He has recently fathered two beautiful kittens who are being lovingly looked after by the staff and volunteers.
Written 20 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Many thanks for your visit and we look forward to welcoming you again on an operational day
Written 21 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tford
11 contributions
Great visit.
May 2023 • Couples
Went with a specific purpose to see a particular locomotive. Thank you Lex. Enjoyed a tour of the coach/wagon works - very informative visit with an extremely knowledgeable and passionate volunteer.
I was made very welcome
Would had stayed longer but the canteen coach was being used for a meeting. Would certainly visit again.
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Thank you very much for your visit and sorry that our staff training was running that day. The buffet car is usually only ooen on event days and we can make visitors a drink if they want from our mess room. I will put a notice about this on the buffet car.
Written 25 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gareth F
1 contribution
A Brilliant Day Out.
Apr 2023 • Friends
A brilliant Day Out; It’s amazing to see what a group of Well Organised Railway Enthusiasts have created over the last 25 Years; regular Trains every Weekend and much much more to see and do.
Written 18 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Thank for visiting us and we look forward to meeting you again soon. We are open Sundays from Easter to December and run trains on special events days as detailed on our website
Written 19 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kate m
Berkshire, UK207 contributions
Historic Train and a cat
Apr 2023 • Couples
What a fabulous little railway this is. Very obvious the volunteers work hard restoring and running this living history. Everyone very friendly. Train rides are short but priced accordingly. Great little shop. On the day we visited additional stalls which added. Bonus I got to meet Barras the cat.
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Thanks for your visit and review. Lookng forward to welcoming you again
Written 15 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DazFare
Falfield, UK22 contributions
STAINMORE RAILWAY COMPANY VISIT
Nov 2022 • Solo
Spent a very pleasant morning at the Stainmore Railway Comoany at Kirby Stephen in Cumbria . I checked to see if they were open before travelling up with my disabled father. They told me they were open but no trains running that day . We arrived and was pleasantly surprised how well the station platform has been repaired. In the platform was 3 locos and buffet carriage which sadly was closed . As we were looking around one of the volunteers offered to take myself , father Brian and my wife Leanne around the shed We gladly accepted the offer followed behind , the shed is currently difficult to access in a wheel chair but we managed. The gentleman spent a good 45mins , explaining the history of the line , and status of current projects , which was very interesting .I thoroughly recommend a visit , and even better if they have trains running . Admission to the station was free, but I encourage you to leave a donation to help them improve and extend the railway , very interesting visit .Darren Fare
Written 28 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Thanks for your visit and it was great to me you and your family. Hope to see you all again when we are running trains next year
Written 1 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve G
16 contributions
Excellent
Aug 2022 • Couples
Another great day. Went for the railwayana fair. Loads of really good things to buy. Buffet car was open for sandwiches etc. Steam loco running with an original teak carriage.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Thank you Steve for your review and repeat visit
Written 25 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andy P
1 contribution
just so lovely you want to take the whole place and people home with you
Jun 2022
a place full of charm. Such lovely warm and friendly volunteer staff, deeply knowledgeable, and kind. We had a shed tour too which was frankly awesome and a great behind the scenes insight. if you enjoy smaller calmer railways rich in story and heritage you should go for a visit.

We visited during a Model railway show which added a whole extra element for my son. they have a good deal of special events so look them up.
Written 21 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Thank you so much for your review and visit. I will pass your comments onto our Shed tour team and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written 4 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve G
16 contributions
An excellent place to visit
May 2022 • Couples
The staff (all volunteers) are friendly and welcoming. There are some extremely knowledgeable people there who can tell you the history and future plans of Kirkby Stephen East. Children love seeing the loco's and carriages. Barras the station cat may allow them to stroke him but he is often out and about.
There is a nice little shop which has a mix of items and quite a comprehensive model range.
Written 9 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stainmore_Railway_Co
Dear Steve thank you for your review and look forward to welcoming you again.
Written 26 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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STAINMORE RAILWAY COMPANY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Stainmore Railway Company
Stainmore Railway Company is open:
  • Sun - Sun 10:00 - 16:00