Barton House Railway facts for kids
The Barton House Railway (BHR) is a fun miniature railway located in Wroxham, Norfolk, England. It's a special place where you can see and ride small trains! The railway is open on the third Sunday of every month from April to October. They also have exciting special events throughout the year, so there's always something new to see.
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History of the Barton House Railway
Starting the Railway Journey
The Barton House Railway began its journey a long time ago. The very first tracks were laid in 1960. These tracks were for trains with a 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) gauge, which means the distance between the rails was 3.5 inches. Just three years later, in 1963, the railway opened its doors to the public. From the start, it wasn't just about trains; it was also about helping the community by raising money for local charities.
The Honing East Signal Box Story
In 1967, a very important piece of railway history found a new home at Barton House Railway. This was the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Honing East Signal Box. A signal box is like a control tower for trains, where railway workers would operate signals and points to guide trains safely. This particular signal box had been standing at Honing railway station since 1901. It was carefully taken apart and then rebuilt at Barton House Railway. In August 2017, the railway celebrated the signal box's 50th anniversary at its new location.
Adding New Tracks and Celebrations
The railway continued to grow! In 1979, a new line called the Riverside Railway was added. This line uses a slightly wider 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge, meaning the tracks are 7.25 inches apart. Around 2012, the Barton House Railway started building another new line. This line connects the museum area to the top lawn, near where you buy tickets. This new line is still being worked on, showing that the railway is always improving.
In 2013, the Barton House Railway celebrated a huge milestone: its 50th anniversary! There were special events and celebrations happening all year long, from April to October, to mark half a century of train fun. More recently, in 2019, the BHR even set up a temporary running line back at Honing railway station. This was a special way to remember 60 years since the original M&GN railway route closed down.
