Name: Ness Islands Railway
Rating: 5.0

Ness Islands Railway

Ness Islands Railway Ltd, Bught Road, Inverness, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Ness Islands Railway is the UK’s most northerly public miniature railway, located in the beautiful Whin Park in Inverness. Established in 1983, this 7¼ inch gauge railway offers a charming half-mile journey that delights both children and adults. Since 2019, it has been owned and operated by Highland Hospice, with all surplus funds supporting hospice care across the Highlands.

The railway features a unique folded “dumb bell” track layout and includes a historic 140-foot iron bridge dating back to around 1837. Visitors can ride behind a variety of locomotives, including the steam engine “Chrissy” (a Tinkerbell class locomotive), along with petrol-powered engines “Uncle Frank” and “Uncle John.” The line operates during the summer season, opening at Easter and running until late October, with weekend and school holiday services from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

Rides cost £3.00 each, and children under 4 travel free. A season ticket offering 15 rides for the price of 10 is available for £30, making it great value for regular visitors and families.

Set within the scenic surroundings of Whin Park, Ness Islands Railway offers a relaxing and affordable family outing. With its historic bridge, miniature locomotives and charitable purpose, it provides a fun experience while supporting an important local cause.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Welcome to the 7 ¼ inch gauge Ness Islands Railway, the UKs most northerly public miniature railway. Situated in picturesque Whin Park in Inverness, our locomotives take passengers on an exciting journey over ½ mile long, bound to delight adults and children alike.
The railway was established in 1983 and since April 2019 has been owned and operated by Highland Hospice. All surplus funds support the delivery of hospice services across the Highlands.
Our railway was first established by Ian Young, in 1983. The track was rerouted in 1989 to incorporate a superb 140ft span iron bridge, built in about 1837, which once was a footbridge on the River Ness near the railway site.
Our line is a dumb bell folded over on top of itself, with the station on a C shaped single line in the middle. In 2012, we welcomed steam back to the line in the form of Tinkerbell Chrissy.
In April 2019 Ness Islands Railway was bought from Ian Young’s family by Highland Hospice. All surplus funds from operating the railway support the delivery of hospice care across the Highlands.
In the Autumn of 2019 the Victorian bridge was fully refurbished with financial support from the Inverness City Heritage Trust. Over the winter of 2019/20 a second electric engine was purchased with the support of the Inverness Common Good Fund. In 2023 we celebrated Ness Islands Railway 40th anniversary.

What to see

Rolling Stock

UNCLE FRANK: “Uncle Frank” is a 2006-built, petrol-powered chain-driven 1-1-B0PH. It is a scale version of an EMC E1 diesel locomotive. It has a 9HP Single-cylinder Honda engines, and were built by Knightley Railways (Roger Greatrex). “Uncle Frank” arrived to Ness Islands Railway in 2015.
UNCLE JOHN: “Uncle John” is a 2005-built, petrol-powered chain-driven 0-6-0PH. It has a 9HP Single-cylinder Honda engines, and were built by Knightley Railways (Roger Greatrex). “Uncle John” is the last add to our stock and arrived in Inverness in December 2019.
CHRISSY: “Chrissy” is a 2012-built, 2-cylinder 0-4-2T locomotive which was built by Peter Beevers, and arrived on the railway in September of that year. She was rebuilt to her present condition during the winter of 2016/17. She is a “Tinkerbell” class locomotive.