The Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway

23/04/2026

With only one remaining work day prior to reopening, we could really use some help! If you're able to assist with some trackwork this Sunday, then you'll be rewarded with fresh air and *sunshine in the Lowther Hills!
10am - 5pm

*sunshine not guaranteed and may be subject to availability

03/04/2026

We're sorry to say that we're not quite ready to open for the season yet. Poor weather and a shortage of volunteers means we still have some maintenance tasks to complete prior to opening. We hope to be open from the first Sunday in May, but please check back here for further updates. Thanks.

25/03/2026

Our volunteers were hard at work last weekend! In the gentle Spring sun, we replaced some life-expired wooden sleepers, adjusted the gauge in areas (distance between the rails) and tamped the ballast to ensure that our track sits on a good base of crushed stone for stability and drainage. It's hard, physical work but important to keep our railway in tip-top condition.

Could you help?!

It's a win-win; helping to preserve the industrial heritage of the Lowther Hills and at the same time saving money on a gym membership! 😆

13/02/2026

18/08/2025

Doors Open Day

We're pleased to be participating in Doors Open Day on Sunday 7th September.

Our train will be operating as normal, with usual timetable and fares applying, however we will also be offering the following free tours of our:

- Signal Box
- Workshop

As well as the opportunity to drive one of our locomotives along a short demonstration line.

19/04/2025

OPEN TOMORROW

Did you see us on Great British Railway Journeys? Follow in the footsteps of Michael Portillo and travel on our railway each Sunday starting tomorrow (Easter Sunday). Trains run every 45 minutes or so from 10:45am with the last departure at 16:00.
We have a large group on the first train tomorrow (10:45) so you may wish to arrive around 11:30 to avoid a wait.

04/04/2025

We're pleased to say that our little railway in the Lowther hills will feature on the upcoming series of Great British Railway Journeys.

We were delighted to host Michael Portillo and the production crew last autumn.

Great British Railway Journeys - Dumfries to Auchinleck

We'll be on episode 10 on Friday 18th April 2025 on BBC Two at 6.30pm, but the series begins on Monday 7th April.

20/02/2025

Despite a cold day in the Lowther Hills, yesterday saw a couple of volunteers on site to service our tamper. They changed the engine oil, checked the drive belts and electrical system, bolts and grease points.. This vital piece of equipment is used to pack crushed stone (known as ballast) under the railway sleepers, creating a stable and well-drained bed for the track to sit on.

On that note, we are becoming increasingly short on working-age volunteers to keep our site and line maintained. If you can spare some time (either weekend or weekday) and don't mind getting stuck in, we'd be happy to hear from you! There are tasks waiting for people from all backgrounds - Joinery, Roofing, Painting, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) etc.

25/09/2024

It's that time of the year already! Our last operating day will be THIS SUNDAY, 29th September. Come up to the hills for your last chance to travel in 2024 on the UK's highest adhesion railway. We'll reopen in Spring 2025.

23/08/2024

19/07/2024

We are pleased to advise that in addition to our usual Sunday operations, we will be open for visitors on Saturday, 20 July from 10.45 to 16.00.
Come on down and enjoy a great day out with the family :-)

14/06/2024

A pair of glasses was found on the railway in the past few days. Please contact us for information.