Telford Steam Railway
The Telford Steam Railway is a short heritage railway at Horsehay & Dawley in Telford, Shropshire, in the heart of the Ironbridge / Industrial Revolution heritage area. The line currently operates between Horsehay and Lawley, on a section of the former GWR Wellington–Coalport branch.
The Telford Horsehay Steam Trust was formed in 1976 to preserve the historic ironworks site at Horsehay, where the GWR engine shed remains substantially intact. The railway component of the operation opened in 1984. Long-term plans include extension towards Ironbridge, but progress is gradual due to the small scale of the operation.
History
The Telford Horsehay Steam Trust was formed in 1976, with the dual aim of preserving the historic Horsehay ironworks site (one of the original sites of the Industrial Revolution) and a section of the GWR Wellington–Coalport branch. The first preserved trains ran in 1984. The railway has remained a small but committed operation closely connected with the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust's wider heritage offer.
Original line history
The Wellington–Coalport branch was a GWR line opened in 1857, serving the iron and china industries of the Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge area. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1962 with freight surviving to 1981.
Stations and infrastructure
Horsehay & Dawley is the headquarters, in the original GWR engine shed. Lawley Village is the eastern terminus.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The railway runs steam galas, 1940s weekends, beer festivals, and Santa Specials. It cooperates with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum on heritage events.
Visitor information
Horsehay is signposted from the A442 in Telford. Telford Central station (Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains) is the nearest railway connection.