The photo shows our main Bangs Galore & Gunpowder Creek Railway team in the summer of 2019, awaiting a rush of eager passengers.
At the back, standing, is Luke our Driver/Guard. To the right is Mary, our Station Mistress and ticket seller. In the front, seated, is Harry, also a Driver/Guard and finally myself, John, with the braces, who Drives/Guards and built the railway and maintains it too.Why the strange name for the railway you might ask? The Bangalore Torpedo is a demolition weapon, invented by Captain McClintock, Royal Engineers in 1912 for demolition of enemy forts and obstacles. Used in the First and second World Wars and still used by the military today, so I took the liberty of altering the name and added Gunpowder Creek Railway to make an amusing name. Also given that we used to make gunpowder and there is a lot of water around the site and of course from 1856, railways were used on site to move gunpowder and other materials around the site, that it was appropriate if a bit long winded.
If anyone would like to become a volunteer for the BG&GC Railway, please get in touch with Elizabeth Went, our Volunteer Manager, for more details.
John Wilson (he of the braces)
Starts at Bangs Galore Station by the rocket roundabout.
Price: Adults £1 and children 50p.
When is the Narrow Gauge Railway Next Running?
Bangs Galore & Gunpowder Creek Running Days:
A Narrow Gauge railway has been built by volunteers which reflects the factory railway that once took dangerous cargo safely from one location to another for processing. It is called the 'Hidden Railway', honouring the top secret nature of the working site. The railway is 2' 6" gauge and has a diesel engine, and cargo wagons converted to carry passengers. You can travel at a small charge close to a mile through woodland to the northern part of the site and back.
Find out more about the Narrow Gauge Railway at the Hidden Railway News Blog
When is the Narrow Gauge Railway Next Running? The Narrow Gauge Railway is operated entirely by volunteers and there may be times and days when there is no service. Phone us on 01992 707370 on the day to check if the railway is running or ask at the ticket pod on arrival. Buy your ticket at the Ticket Trailer by rocket roundabout when you arrive and book your place. 1 wheelchair space.
Price: Adults £2 and children £1.
Up until January 1917 all rolling stock was moved by manual labour, but with the demands of the First World War, locomotives were introduced to move explosives and propellants around the site, plus bring in raw materials from the standard gauge railway at the Royal Small Arms Factory which lay to the south of the Royal Gunpowder Mills. Read more