Tag Archives: Lilleshall

Lilleshall Abbey and Woodland Railway

Leave a reply

I saw the featured image in a photo book compiled by Alton Douglas for Beacon Radio in 1987, ‘Memories of the Wrekin and Beyond’. It shows Lilleshall Estate’s 2ft-gauge railway in action in 1933. [1: p47]

The Lilleshall Estate in Shropshire featured a historic 2-foot gauge miniature railway that operated from 1928 until the onset of World War II. Built to entertain tourists, the line used unique petrol-powered, steam-outline locomotives manufactured by E.E. Baguley Ltd.

Opened in 1928 and closed in 1939.

In 1917 the Duke of Sutherland sold the Hall and and Gardens. Eventually these were acquired by Herbert Ford who developed the site into a tourist attraction.

A map of the Lilleshall Hall and its grounds which shows the route of the railway. [3]

“The guide book was titled ‘Lovely Lilleshall’, adding ‘see Lilleshall and know the thrill of living’. On offer to visitors were: lunches & teas in the Hall, tennis courts, putting greens, archery, bowling greens, children’s playground, formal gardens, abbey ruins and a 2ft gauge railway. Opened on Easter Saturday, 7th April 1928, the line was a balloon loop of 1 mile, giving a full ride of 1¼ miles. Stations were provided at ‘Lilleshall Hall’ (the terminus) and ‘Abbey’ on the return loop in the woods. Apparently, internal combustion motive power was chosen to protect valuable plants alongside the line from damage by a steam locomotive. The line was presumably a success as a second steam outline locomotive was ordered from Baguley, arriving in May 1929. The Hall and railway were closed at the outbreak of the Second World War on 3rd September 1939.” [2]

This railway was Baguley’s first foray into building steam outline locomotives. [1]
…. The train is waiting in the main station by the Hall. Note the thatch roof on the ticket office and the coaches with ‘knife board’ seats. (Bg 1695/1928), © Public Domain. [2]
[3]

[3]
[3]
[3]

Baguley 1695 (1928): The first locomotive delivered to Lilleshall, it is fully preserved and operates at the Apedale Valley Light Railway in Staffordshire.

Baguley 1769 “Altonia” (1929): A larger locomotive purchased to boost capacity was later moved to Alton Towers, and is now preserved at the Old Kiln Light Railway in Surrey.

References

  1. Alton Douglas; Memories of the Wrekin and Beyond; Beacon Broadcasting, Wolverhampton, 1987.
  2. http://www.minorrailways.co.uk/history3.php, accessed on 14th June 2026.
  3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/narrowgauge/posts/7637094779635817, accessed on 14th June 2026.