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Alderney Railway

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Alderney·Attraction

Standout

179-year heritage (1847)

Story

Built by the British Government in the 1840s to carry stone for breakwater construction, officially opened 1847. First nationalised railway in Britain, operated by the Admiralty. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert rode on it in 1854. During WWII, track was replaced with German 60cm gauge. Society took over in 1978, first public passenger run Easter Saturday 5th March 1980. Thomas the Tank Engine connection: a 1911/1912 incident where a train overshot the breakwater inspired Rev Wilbert Awdry.

Alderney Railway is the only working railway in the Channel Islands, built in the 1840s. The railway opened in 1847 as the first nationalised railway in Britain, operated by the Admiralty, and carried its first passengers in April 1854. The Alderney Railway Society was established in February 1978 and opened the railway for regular passengers on 5th March 1980. —

This profile was assembled by software from the sources cited on this page. If something here is wrong, email hello@island.gg — corrections are made to the record.

Quick facts

Legal form
Limited Company (inferred from the source page)
Established
1847 · 179 years
Coverage
Alderney

From their website

Original phrasing from their website — lines covered by a capability above appear within its card.

  • Heritage railway rides (Braye Road to Mannez Quarry) (inferred from the source page)
  • Private charter (up to 80 passengers, from £200) (inferred from the source page)
  • Santa Express special (inferred from the source page)
  • Membership with 10 complimentary rides/year (inferred from the source page)

Hours

May to September, weekends and bank holidays. Check website for specific dates and timetable.

Last checked 24 March 2026·visitguernsey.com

Contact

Phone
+44 7911 739572
Email
alderneyrailway@suremail.gg
Website
alderneyrailway.gg
Social
Address
Braye Road Station, Alderney, Channel Islands, GY9 3DA (PO Box 75)

History2

Key dates and recorded company events for Alderney Railway.

  • 1854—Queen Victoria and Prince Albert rode on the railway
  • 1980—First public passenger run · The first public passenger run was on Easter Saturday 5th March.

Location

Directions ↗

Compiled from public sources — mistakes are possible. If something here looks wrong, let us know.

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