Bressingham Steam Museum
Bressingham Steam Museum is a steam museum, gardens, and miniature railway complex near Diss in Norfolk, founded by the nurseryman Alan Bloom in 1961 alongside his celebrated Bressingham Gardens. The museum grew from Bloom's personal interest in steam preservation and now holds a substantial collection of steam locomotives, traction engines, and a steam roundabout.
For railway visitors the central attraction is BR Standard Class 7 No. 70013 <em>Oliver Cromwell</em>, the locomotive that hauled the inward leg of the famous "Fifteen Guinea Special" on 11 August 1968 and was preserved by Alan Bloom directly from the National Collection. Oliver Cromwell remained at Bressingham for many years and later returned to working condition; another collection highlight is LMS <em>Royal Scot</em> No. 6100, which was also resident here for an extended period.
The site additionally operates three narrow-gauge passenger railways of different gauges (10¼ in, 15 in, and 2 ft), giving rides through the gardens, plus a fleet of working road steam.
History
Alan Bloom (1906–2005), the nurseryman and writer, opened his nursery to the public in the 1950s and began acquiring steam preservation items in the early 1960s. The first locomotives arrived in 1961, and the museum grew through the 1960s and 1970s as Bloom acquired further engines, traction engines, and a Gavioli steam roundabout.
Following Bloom's death the site has continued to operate as a charitable trust. Some major engines (notably Oliver Cromwell in 2008) have been removed from Bressingham for return to main-line service, but the site retains a substantial preserved collection.
Stations and infrastructure
The main museum building houses the larger preserved locomotives and the steam roundabout. The three narrow-gauge railways operate over scenic routes through the gardens; the Waveney Valley Line is the longest at over a mile. A fleet of vintage steam fairground equipment and traction engines is exhibited in working order.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Bressingham hosts a programme of steam galas, traction-engine rallies, garden events, and Santa Specials. The site combines well as a family day out with the adjacent Bressingham Gardens.
Visitor information
Bressingham is open from spring to early autumn (with reduced winter opening); admission gives access to the museum, gardens, and unlimited rides on the three railways. The site is on the A1066 west of Diss.