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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The Gunpowder Railway is Closed for the Winter Period
The Gunpowder Railway is a 2foot 6inch (762mm) Gauge Heritage Industrial Railway in Waltham Abbey, Essex.

 The Running Season for the Railway has now concluded. Our volunteers are now carrying out essential maintenance and restoration works on the track, locomotives and rolling stock. To see what the team is up to please see our latest diary entries.
You can support the railway via becoming a Volunteer or Making a Donation.

Train rides return in 2027

Read Our Twice-Weekly Diary
Our Locomotives
Our Rolling Stock
Plan a future Visit
Operating Timetable
History of the Railway

Latest News and Developments

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

Please Support Us – Help the Gunpowder Railway get even better!

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

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.

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Stay in touch with the Gunpowder Railway on Facebook! Be the first to hear about running days, engineering updates, special events and behind-the-scenes progress on our restoration projects. It's also the best place to see photos, videos and stories from our volunteers, and to ask us questions directly.

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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.

Buy Now from Amazon UK

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