We have locomotives and carriages from the later 1800’s such as the Beattie well tank of 1874, and  Metropolitan Railway no 1 (1898), a unique London Chatham & Dover Railway coach (1880) and a Great Northern Rly brake third of 1890 through to BR era stock which is used for passenger rides in the Up Yard. The London & North Western Rly kitchen diner of 1901 has the finest interior of any carriage to survive from that era and is coupled to a LNWR sleeper of 1907 now in use as a Cinema Coach. Grouping stock from the GWR, LNER and LMS is on display. We have recently received LNWR 2-2-2 tender loco no. 3020 "Cornwall" on loan from the National Railway Museum. Cornwall takes the place of Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 5080 Defiant, which has returned to Tysley for proposed overhaul to mainline standards. Our Wightwick Hall 6989  and 7200 are both under restoration. Steam trains in the Down Yard, are operated on busier days using engines drawn from our large collection of industrial locomotives.

Many railways have a cattle dock but ours is still believed to be the only one with a restored cattle wagon (and cow). The weighbridge hut tells its own story and how it fits into a country goods yard. As befits a goods yard we have an extensive collection of goods vehicles including one of the most complete "sets” of BR standard goods vehicles.

In the Buffer Depot Museum are a wide variety of interesting things waiting to be discovered from a Passimeter and a Post Office railway car to a BR(S) Horse Box and an American velocipede. We have been collecting since 1962 and have a large and diverse collection of the smaller items such as signs and plates, rule books and tin plate toys.

We normally recommend that you should allow 2 to 3 hours for a visit but if you have a deep interest then this may not be long enough. If there is something that you particularly wish to see then please contact us in advance of your visit on 01296 655720 and we will do our best to help. A full list of the wheeled stock is available on the best online stockbook we know of – use the link on the left. Our smaller items are in the process of being catalogued and will be available online - one day..it is a big job!

Loco Roster

In common with other societies not all our stock is in use at the same time but we always welcome new members to assist us and are known as a friendly society. From time to time some items are hired out and may not be available on the day of your visit so it is wise to phone ahead on 01296 655720 should you wish to view a specific item and we will try to help.

The locomotives in use in 2018 are expected, subject to availability, to include:

• Metropolitan Railway No. 1 0-4-4T of 1898
• Andrew Barclay 699 Swanscombe  0-4-0 ST of 1891
• Bagnall   0-4-0 ST 2469 of 1932 
• Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST 3890 No.66 of 1964 – The last steam loco built for UK use.
• GWR Pannier 0-6-0 9466 of 1952
• Sentinel 0-4-0 T 9366 of 1945
• Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST 1742 Millom of 1946

   Rolling stock will be drawn from BR Mark 1s, pre 1900 Vintage train, open wagon  as well as a demonstration goods train.

Stock Book   

Click here for the virtual Stock Book

Picnic Saloon Trust

Visit their website: www.picnicsaloontrust.co.uk