Ruislip Lido
Railway
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.
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
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.
| № | Name | Built | Livery | Locomotive type | Wheel arr. |
Builder | In Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
More to Explore at Ruislip Lido
Planets Walk
Starting with the Sun, opposite the new boathouse, you will see each planet in order, from the Sun on this interesting walk.
Boathouse
Introducing the newest addition to the Lido, which includes a community room that is available to hire.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted from 16 June to 14 March. A licence is required to fish the lake, and fishing rules apply.
Feeding birds & ducks
Outdoor gym & running