Does anyone know if the railway at Waltham Abbey is open yet and if/when it is running?
Here is the latest newsletter that is available on-line from July last year:
http://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/railway-news/the-hidden-railway-news-july-2012/
This is available from the Mills web site railway page:
http://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/history-and-heritage/narrow-gauge-railway/
I was involved a few years ago now, I wrote this on another forum back in 2011:
Personally I think it is a shame the way it has worked out at Waltham Abbey and even though I was previously involved I could not recommend a visit for any NG fans.
The site is packed with wonderful historic industrial buildings and structures but unfortunately many are not accessible to the public and have received no maintenance what so ever in the last few years.
One example is the former nitro-glycerine factory, a wonderful piece of industrial heritage, including several sections of NG track, yet I doubt there are any more than about 100 people who have seen it in the past 10 years. There are may other industrial jems hidden in the trees slowly decaying, the roof of one of the drying sheds collapsed a couple of years ago and the grand magazine at the far end of the site has supposedly been robbed of some of it
I went there a couple of years ago and found the 18" gauge locos on display by the buildings and the 2' 6" gauge running, though not carrying passengers (is it going to?). The website doesn't seem to have been updated as it still shows plans for the 18" gauge. It also says that 3' and standard gauge equipment are on site ( http://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/history-heritage/narrow-gauge-railway/ ) Looking at the website, they now seem to be running a miniature railway as well ( http://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/must-see-attractions/uncle-johns-railway/ ).