Foxfield Railway
The Foxfield Railway is a standard-gauge heritage railway in Staffordshire, running on the former Foxfield Colliery branch from Blythe Bridge to the now-disused Foxfield pit. Built in 1893 to serve the colliery, the line is famous among enthusiasts for its punishing gradient, at 1 in 19, which makes the climb out of Dilhorne one of the steepest pieces of adhesion-worked standard-gauge track in Britain.
The colliery closed in 1965 and the Foxfield Light Railway Society took over the line that same year, making it one of the earlier industrial preservation projects in the country. The headquarters at Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, sits adjacent to the National Rail station of the same name (on the Crewe–Derby line), and the line operates between there, Dilhorne Park and Foxfield Colliery.
The site has retained a strongly industrial character throughout its preservation, with a focus on saddle-tank and well-tank engines that originally worked Britain's collieries, ironworks and gasworks.
History
The Foxfield Light Railway Society was formed in 1965 immediately after the colliery closed, and preservation operations began in 1967. The line has remained almost entirely volunteer-run throughout its history, with the focus on retaining the gritty character of an industrial branch rather than recreating a country byway.
A major project in the 2000s saw the construction of a new headquarters and visitor centre at Caverswall Road, with sheds, a museum, and connections allowing visiting locomotives to arrive by rail from the National Network.
Original line history
The Foxfield Colliery branch was built privately in 1893 to connect Foxfield Colliery to the North Staffordshire Railway's main line at Blythe Bridge. The line's severe gradient, climbing out of Dilhorne at 1 in 19, was a consequence of the difficult local terrain and the need to reach the pit by the shortest possible route. It worked coal traffic continuously until colliery closure in 1965.
Stations and infrastructure
Caverswall Road is the principal station and visitor entrance, with running shed, workshops and a museum building. Dilhorne Park is a halt at the foot of the bank, while Foxfield Colliery retains much of the original pit infrastructure, screens and washery buildings, giving the upper terminus a distinctively industrial atmosphere.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The railway is best known for its industrial steam galas, which routinely attract visiting saddle tanks from across the country to tackle the famous bank. Other events include beer festivals, photographic charters, and Santa Specials.
Visitor information
Caverswall Road station is adjacent to Blythe Bridge National Rail station, making the line one of the easiest UK heritage railways to reach by train. The line typically operates weekends from Easter through autumn.