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  • railways
  1. Explore
  2. Railways

Railways

The Gunpowder Railway

The Gunpowder Railway is a narrow gauge railway running roughly 1 km along the perimeter of the Royal Gunpowder Mills site. 

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a narrow gauge railway was used to transport materials around the site. Over the past decade a dedicated team of volunteers have constructed a 2 foot 6 inch gauge railway, reflecting this history. 

The Gunpowder Railway completed its first full running season at the end of October of 2022, transporting over 1500 passengers! Thanks to all those involved: volunteer drivers, guards, duty officers and volunteers involved in the construction and maintenance of the railway.

When is the Gunpowder Railway next running? 

The Gunpowder Railway runs on our 'Experience the Royal Gunpowder Mills' days and can be booked for 'Group Visits'.

Volunteer

Opportunities to volunteer with the Gunpowder Railway run all year round. If you are interested in becoming a Gunpowder Railway Volunteer please contact our Volunteer Manager Liz Went: [email protected]

Find out more:    Gunpowder Railway News Blog


Mini Railway

The Mini Railway runs the length of Long Walk. It was built by a team of volunteers led by John Wilson. 

Become a Gunpowder Railway Volunteer!

Become a Gunpowder Railway Volunteer!

Whether you would like to develop your technical understanding of locomotives or fulfil a childhood dream of becoming a train driver, volunteering with the Gunpowder Railway is the perfect way to learn new skills whilst having fun and meeting new people. Read more

Published: 29th November, 2022

Updated: 1st March, 2023

Author: Helen Hamlyn

Railway History

Railway History

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a narrow gauge railway was used to transport materials around the site. Read more

Published: 21st June, 2018

Updated: 29th November, 2022

Author: Emily Cross

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  • Supporting Young Creatives

    Supporting Young Creatives

    Come and shoot your student projects at our unique site.

  • Supporting Young Creatives

    Supporting Young Creatives

    Come and shoot your student projects at our unique site.

  • Children's Summer Workshops

  • Air-Powered Rockets (KS1/2/3)

    Air-Powered Rockets (KS1/2/3)

    Make and launch your own air-powered rocket, devise a fair tests, gather data and report findings.

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  • What's On This Autumn

    What's On This Autumn

    Mark your calendars for Saturday 14th October! We're opening our gates to the public for a fun day of exhibitions, talks, rides, and more! For more details on our Autumn programming and to buy tickets, click 'read more'

  • How to Get Here

    How to Get Here

    Find out more about where we're located and how to get here by all types of transport.

  • Visitor Map

  • Virtual Tours

    Virtual Tours

    Explore our site from the comfort of home.

  • Jobs

    Jobs

    General Manager at the Royal Gunpowder Mills

  • Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

    Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

    Take a 25 minute guided Tractor Trailer Guided Tour to the 'out of bounds' parts of the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

  • Professor Nitrate

    Professor Nitrate

    Experience Professor Nitrate's explosive outdoor science show.

  • Our Purpose

    The purpose of the charity is to preserve, manage, research, conserve and display for the benefit of the general public and of the nation at large the historical and archaeological heritage of the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey in the form of ancient monuments, listed buildings and the natural aspect features and bird, animal, tree and plant life.

  • The Armoury

    The Armoury

    Discover how firearms changed over the centuries by visiting our collection of over 300 historic firearms.

  • Royal Gunpowder Mills Digital Archive

    Royal Gunpowder Mills Digital Archive

    After the closure of ERDE, the archive material inherited passed through a number of hands and storage locations before opening to the public as an online database.

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Aqueduct Blast Bridges Canals Filming Heritage Hire Industrial Mills Newton's Pool Press House Queen Meads Quinan Stove Tetryl Waterways Woodland
Royal Gunpowder Mills Digital Archive

Royal Gunpowder Mills Digital Archive

After the closure of ERDE, the archive material inherited passed through a number of hands and storage locations before opening to the public as an online database. Read more

Published: 4th July, 2018

Updated: 10th March, 2022

Author: Ian MacFarlane

RGM Historic Book Reprint Series

RGM Historic Book Reprint Series

The Historic Reprint Series are Facsimilie reprints of books having historical relevance to the development and manufacture of gunpowder at the Royal Gunpowder Mills. Read more

Published: 19th July, 2019

Updated: 22nd July, 2022

Author: Ian MacFarlane

RGM Book Series

RGM Book Series

Books about the history of the Royal Gunpowder Mills written by Archive Volunteers. Read more

Published: 19th July, 2019

Updated: 27th March, 2023

Author: Ian MacFarlane

Help Royal Gunpowder Mills!

Help Royal Gunpowder Mills!

The Royal Gunpowder Mills has now reopened following a two year closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please donate to help continue our Charity’s work. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 17th June, 2020

Updated: 15th May, 2023

Author:

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Royal Gunpowder Mills is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1062968).

Contact us

Royal Gunpowder Mills,
Beaulieu Drive,
Waltham Abbey,
Essex, EN9 1JY
United Kingdom

[email protected]
01992 707370

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