Ruislip Lido
Railway

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Miniature Railway

Did you know that Ruislip Lido is home to Britains longest 12″ gauge miniature​ railway? It travels around the lido from the carpark, through the woods, to the beach. A great way to see the Lido and woods.

Ruislip Lido Train at the station
Walk in Ruislip Woods
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Railway Views

The pleasant railway journey takes you around Ruislip Lido lake, with the main stations at the car park and the beach. The journey will wind its way through the beautiful and picturesque, Ruislip Woods.

The two main stations where passengers can start or end their journey are Woody Bay station, beside the beach & children’s splash pad (the oldest terminus on the line).

The other station is Willow Lawn station, which is located next to the car park.

All of the Ruislip Lido Railway trains are wheelchair, pushchair and buggy friendly! Which makes it an ideal day out for all the family.

The service is normally operated by one of the RLR’s large diesel locomotives. However, on weekends and Bank Holidays, you will be treated to the steam locomotive ‘Mad Bess’, which is a half-scale version of the Ffestiniog Railway locomotive ‘Blanche’. – Official RLR Site

Ruislip Lido Railway Map

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Our Locomotives

Robert, Lady of the Lakes, Mad Bess*, Graham Alexander, Bayhurst, John Rennie.

*Mad Bess, a 2–4–0 saddle tank tender locomotive, was built at the Lido by the Society between 1986 and 1998. The locomotive is based on Blanche, which is preserved at the Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. Mad Bess is oil-fired to avoid the risk of fire in the woods.

Wikipedia

Ruislip Lido Train at the station
Name Built Livery Locomotive type Wheel
arr.
Builder In Traffic?
3 Robert 1973 Dark blue Diesel-hydraulic 4w-4 Severn Lamb Ltd Yes
5 Lady of the Lakes 1986 Red Diesel-mechanical 4w-4w Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Yes
6 Mad Bess 1986-98 Green Steam 2-4-0ST+T Ruislip Lido Railway Society Yes
7 Graham Alexander 1990 Longmoor Military Railway Blue Diesel-mechanical 4w-4w Severn Lamb Ltd Yes
8 Bayhurst 2003 Green Diesel-mechanical 4w-4w Severn Lamb Ltd Yes
9 John Rennie 2004 ‘Metropolitan Railway’ Dark red / Maroon Diesel-mechanical 4w-4w Severn Lamb Ltd Yes

 

Wikipedia

Something for the whole family

More to Explore at Ruislip Lido

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Planets Walk

Starting with the Sun, opposite the new boathouse, you will see each planet in order, from the Sun on this interesting walk.

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Boathouse

Introducing the newest addition to the Lido, which includes a community room that is available to hire.

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Fishing

Fishing is permitted from 16 June to 14 March. A licence is required to fish the lake, and fishing rules apply.

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Feeding birds & ducks

There is a designated wooden bird feeding platform area for this activity on Willow Lawn. Please only feed birds from this location.
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Outdoor gym & running

For our fitness fanatics, there are plenty of areas for visitors to run and cycle (no official track) and an outdoor gym for anyone to use.
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Woodland Centre

Discover the past and present of the Lido and Ruislip Woods. Including conservation and traditional woodland crafts.