East Anglian Railway Museum facts for kids
Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station (far right-hand track) and the East Anglian Railway Museum
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| Established | 1986 |
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| Location | Chappel & Wakes Colne railway station, Essex, England |
| Type | Industrial railway museum |
| Collection size | 10 Locomotives, numerous other vehicles |
The East Anglian Railway Museum is a fun place to explore in Essex, England. It is located at the historic Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station. This station is on a railway line that used to be part of the Great Eastern Railway. Today, trains still run on the Sudbury Branch Line past the museum.
The museum has a large collection of old trains and railway vehicles. Some of these trains have been fully fixed up and look amazing! You can even see some trains that look like famous characters like Thomas, Percy, and Toby. Other trains are still being repaired and restored by dedicated volunteers. On special event days, you can even ride on a real steam or diesel train along a short track.
The museum also hosts many exciting events throughout the year. These include classic car shows, 1940s and 1950s themed days, Steampunk fairs, and model railway events. There are also plays, musical performances, and the very popular "Days out with Thomas" events. These days let you meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends!
Contents
Museum History: How It Started
The Beginning of the Society
The museum first started as the Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society. This was back on September 24, 1968. The society moved to Chappel & Wakes Colne Station in December 1969. They were able to use the old goods yard and railway buildings, including the station. Just three months later, they had their first public day with a steam train!
The volunteers quickly worked to fix up the goods shed and station buildings. They set up a workshop in the goods shed. This allowed them to start repairing and restoring the old trains.
Becoming a Museum
In 1986, the Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society changed its name. It became the East Anglian Railway Museum. This new name showed that their main goal was to share the history of railways in the eastern parts of England. The museum became a registered charity in 1991. It was officially recognized as a museum in 1995.
Since 2005, the museum has focused more on showing off its collection. They also work to explain railway history to visitors. Many different events happen each year to help raise money. This money helps support all the museum's activities.
Steam Locomotives: Old Trains with Power
The museum has many industrial steam locomotives. These are trains that used to work in factories or mines. Some are ready to go, others are being fixed, and some are on display.
Trains Ready to Run
- "Jubilee" (Works No. 2542): This train was built in 1936. It returned to service in 2007 after a big repair. It often pulls trains for visitors. It is painted bright green and looks like Percy the Small Engine!
- "Storefield" (Works No. 1047): This train was built in 1905. It was fixed up in 1999 and again in 2015. It is painted a light brown color.
- No. 54 "Pen Green" (Works No. 7031): Built in 1941, this train started working again in 2008. It was changed to look like Thomas the Tank Engine! It was repaired again in 2017.
Trains Being Repaired
- "Lamport No.3" (Works No. 2670): Built in 1942, this train arrived at the museum in 2013. It is currently being repaired. It needs new parts for its boiler.
- No. 7999 "A J Hill" (BR No. 69621): This train was built in 1924. It worked for many years on other railways. It is now being repaired, with new parts being fitted to its boiler.
Trains on Display
- "Jeffrey" (Works No. 2039): Built in 1943, this train is currently on display outside the museum entrance. It is painted black with red and white lines.
Diesel Locomotives: Modern Power
The museum also has a collection of industrial diesel locomotives. These trains run on diesel fuel instead of steam.
Trains Ready to Run
- War Department no. D72229: This diesel train is currently working at the museum. It helps move other trains around. It is painted in Army Green.
- "John Peel" (Works No.333): This train is operational but used less often. It is painted blue.
- D2279: This train was fully repaired in 2018. It is painted in a dark green color.
Trains Being Repaired
- "Toby" (Works No. 4220039 7): This train has been changed to look like Toby the Tram Engine for special events. It is currently being repaired. It is painted brown and grey.
Trains Being Restored
- No. 2029: This train is undergoing a big restoration project. It is painted black.
Diesel Multiple Units: Passenger Trains
The museum has two Class 101 diesel multiple unit (DMU) cars. These are passenger trains that can drive from both ends. They are owned by a group called Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Ltd. These two cars used to run on the Marks Tey to Sudbury Line until 1993. They were later bought by the museum in 2003. They are often used during "Day Out with Thomas" events. One of them runs as Daisy The Diesel Multiple Unit.
- No. E51213: This Class 101 DMU was built in 1958 and is ready to run.
- No. E56358: This Class 101 DMU was built in 1959 and is also ready to run.
Electric Multiple Units: Electric Trains
The museum also had a British Rail Class 306 electric train unit (017) for several years. It was on loan from the National Railway Museum. It left the museum in 2018.
In 2021, the museum received a driving vehicle from a British Rail Class 317 unit (317345). This was a gift from Angel Trains.
Blur Concert: Music at the Museum
On June 13, 2009, the famous band Blur played a concert at the museum. This was special because they had played their very first concert there in 1988! Just like in 1988, the band played to about 150 people in a goods shed. This concert was their first since 2001. It was the start of their 2009 mini-tour. After this, they played at the famous Glastonbury Festival and two concerts in Hyde Park.
In November 2009, a special plaque was put up at the museum. This plaque celebrates Blur and the place where they first performed live.
