Colne Valley Miniature Railway

Colne Valley Miniature Railway Visiting locomotives welcome, please get in touch! Colne Valley Miniature Railway also know as CVMR is based at Colne Valley Railway in Castle Hedingham.

This is the official page for the Colne Valley Miniature Railway, based at the Colne Valley Railway in Castle Hedingham, Essex, UK

UNLIMITED rides, running side-by-side the main railway! It consists of 7 locomotives, two battery, two petrol, and three steam (another steam loco in the making) we have about 700 metres of running line.

31/05/2026

Congratulations to all the winners at today’s Colne Valley Railway’s Doggie Day, sponsored by Chippers School for Dogs.

Thank you to everyone who attended with or without their dogs. We hope you all enjoyed the day. It was great to see so many dogs on the trains.

Best in Show results:
🥇 1st Place – Jimmy the Greyhound
🥈 2nd Place – Joey the Rottweiler
🥉 3rd Place – Chaz the Wire Fox Terrier

Congratulations to all!

✅ OPEN SUNDAY 31st MAY - DOG SHOW DAY!🐕 All dogs get free entry and treats🐶 15 category dog show sponsored by Chippers D...
30/05/2026

✅ OPEN SUNDAY 31st MAY - DOG SHOW DAY!

🐕 All dogs get free entry and treats

🐶 15 category dog show sponsored by Chippers Dog training and agility.

🐾 Stalls expected from Guide dogs, British Transport Police & Hearing dogs

🚂 with us on the miniature railway, running side-by-side with the big trains on the Colne Valley Railway !

🍦 Light refreshments, ice creams, cold drinks available in the air conditioned shop, with either Pullman seating available inside, or plenty of picnic tables and spaces to chill out around the site!

🎟️ As well as access to the and unlimited rides on 2 railways - your ticket also includes access to the other open attractions on the day such as the woodland walk and interactive Tierney Model Railway!

🅿️ included when you visit us

🚍 Or you can take the bus! Zero2 Bus Museum operates the 721 service (fee payable) from Braintree station via the CVR, on the way to their site just down the road. Departing Braintree at 0900, 1000 & 1100. Returning at 15:24 & 16:15. See their website for more info and to possibly make a day of it with both us and them!

🕒 10:30 - 16:30. Last admission 15:00.



ℹ️ Most dogs will be able to ride the miniature railway. Please follow staff safety instructions when riding with us. Dogs must be on a short lead and under control. We do ask that dogs are not allowed on our seats. Thankyou.

✅ MINI RAIL RIDES TODAY - 28th May! 🚂 with us behind 2 engines and the Colne Valley Railway - who will be operating th...
28/05/2026

✅ MINI RAIL RIDES TODAY - 28th May!

🚂 with us behind 2 engines and the Colne Valley Railway - who will be operating their DMU which has drivers eye views!

🎟️ Your ticket also includes access to our other attractions around the site such as the Brewster interpretation centre and the peaceful woodland walk

🍻 High Speed Train buffet open - Relax in an air conditioned Intercity carriage with hot & cold food, local ales, home made cakes and more!

🍦Ice creams available in the air conditioned shop, make sure you say hello to Saffron which is taking centre stage on display!

🅿️ included when you visit us!

🕒 10:30 - 16:30. Last admission 15:00.

♥️ A big thank you to all those who visited us today, and an extra thanks for your patience and understanding whilst we ...
27/05/2026

♥️ A big thank you to all those who visited us today, and an extra thanks for your patience and understanding whilst we made emergency repairs to the track following heat damage.

✅ We are next open tomorrow and Sunday!

🐕‍🦺. Don't forget - Sunday is dog show day! Sponsored by Chippers dog training & agility

🛤️ We hope you enjoy these behind the scenes photos of the repair work today

✅ SERVICE UPDATE - MINI RAIL BACK OPEN! 🛤️ Works to repair a damaged section of track has been completed and we are plea...
27/05/2026

✅ SERVICE UPDATE - MINI RAIL BACK OPEN!

🛤️ Works to repair a damaged section of track has been completed and we are pleased to say we are now OPEN again for unlimited rides!

🦺 We'll be posting photos of our emergency works session later today, thanks for your understanding.

✅ UPDATE AS OF 14:20 27/05/26 - MINI RAIL OPEN*The below post is now outdated. ⚠️ Mini rail CLOSED - 27th MAY🛤️ On our i...
27/05/2026

✅ UPDATE AS OF 14:20 27/05/26 - MINI RAIL OPEN

*The below post is now outdated.

⚠️ Mini rail CLOSED - 27th MAY

🛤️ On our inspection of the track this morning, it was found that the recent warm weather has caused our track to twist. At this time it would be unsafe for us to run trains. One of these twists can be seen in the photo below.

⚒️ Right now, we are starting emergency engineering works to repair the affected areas of track.

ℹ️ Updates will be posted on this page soon. The main Colne Valley Railway will remain OPEN as planned.

We apologise for any disappointment caused, safety first though.

✅ MINI RAIL RIDES - Tomorrow, Thursday & Sunday! 🚂 UNLIMITED RIDES with us behind 2 engines and the Colne Valley Railway...
26/05/2026

✅ MINI RAIL RIDES - Tomorrow, Thursday & Sunday!

🚂 UNLIMITED RIDES with us behind 2 engines and the Colne Valley Railway as well, we also run side-by-side so there might even be a chance of a train race!

🎟️ As well as rides on both railways, your ticket allows access to all open attractions such as signalbox visits and the woodland walk

🍻 HST buffet OPEN - Relax in a 1st class air conditioned seat with hot & cold food, or maybe a local ale or soft drink? Full menu posted below 👇

🐕‍🦺 31st MAY - DOG DAY! Doggie Day is one of the most unique dog events in Essex, combining a fun dog show with a dog-friendly day out at the railway. All dogs receive treats, a bandana and free entry! Expected stands from Guide dogs, British Transport Police & Hearing dogs. Sponsored by Chippers School for Dogs. Scentwork and Agility

🅿️ Free parking included in your stay!

🕒 10:30 - 16:30. Last admission 15:00



ℹ️ For dogs riding the miniature railway, please follow staff instructions. Dogs must be on a lead, well behaved and off the seats, thank you.

⚠️ Information for the 23rd, 24th & 25th May. 🙁 Due to a lack of volunteer availability, we are not expecting to be able...
21/05/2026

⚠️ Information for the 23rd, 24th & 25th May.

🙁 Due to a lack of volunteer availability, we are not expecting to be able to open the miniature railway this bank holiday weekend.

ℹ️ Any short notice changes will be posted on this page.

This isn't something that we've taken lightly, and we are so sorry to have disappointed anyone who will be visiting the railway over the next few days. We are only a small team of volunteers and unfortunately, on this occasion, all efforts have been exhausted trying to work something out.

✅ The main Colne Valley Railway site will remain OPEN as planned. This only affects the miniature railway. Again, any short notice changes to this closure will be posted here, on our page.

✅ Currently, our next mini rail day will be during half term, on Wednesday 27th May

🚂 Once again, from all of us at the CVMR, we are truly sorry to have let you all down. We hope you'll be back another time to take as many rides as you like with us.

❓If you have any questions, please comment below 👇

✅ OPEN TODAY - 17th May! 🚂 UNLIMITED rides with us behind 2 engines and the Colne Valley Railway! 🚇 Visit an original Lo...
17/05/2026

✅ OPEN TODAY - 17th May!

🚂 UNLIMITED rides with us behind 2 engines and the Colne Valley Railway!

🚇 Visit an original London Underground signalling centre with the Victoria Line Automatic Train Operation group

🎟️ As well as rides on both railways and a rare chance to see the signalling centre, your ticket also includes access to all other attractions on site!

🍦 See Saffron on display whilst enjoying light refreshments, bean to cup coffee and ices in the shop, a range of CVR merch will also be available to purchase

🅿️ included with your stay

🚍 The 721 bus departs Braintree station at 0900, 1000 & 1100 via the railway on the way to Zero2 Bus Museum. Returning at 1524 & 1615. See their website for the full timetable, make a day of it with both us and them!

🕒 Open from 10:30 - 16:30. Last admission at 15:00.



☔ We'll try our best to keep the trains running all day, of course. However - during heavy or persistent rain, we may be forced to pause operations on the miniature railway.

* The 721 bus service is operated externally by Zero2bus museum. Separate Fee payable to the driver when boarding.

✅ MINI RAIL RIDES - Sunday 17th MAY!🚂 with us and the Colne Valley Railway 🚇 Visit the Victoria Line Automatic Train O...
14/05/2026

✅ MINI RAIL RIDES - Sunday 17th MAY!

🚂 with us and the Colne Valley Railway

🚇 Visit the Victoria Line Automatic Train Operation centre, rare access to see an original, restored London Underground Victoria Line signalling panel, with expert volunteers on hand to answer any questions you may have!

🎟️ Your ticket also includes access to our other attractions such as the massive-interactive Tierney Model Railway, as well rides on both railways!

🍦 Light refreshments, ice creams and hot & cold drinks available in the shop, along with a range of branded CVR merch - now with our loco, Saffron on display!

🅿️ included in your stay

🚍 Or catch the 721 bus from Braintree station at 0900, 1000 & 1100. Returning at 1524 & 1615. Operated by Zero2 Bus Museum on the way to their museum just down the road, see their page for the full timetable and to possibly make a day of it with both us and them!

🕒 10:30 - 16:30. Last admission 15:00



☔ Whilst we'll always try our best to carry on, heavy or persistent rain may force us to pause operations on the mini rail.

⚠️ Mini rail closed Saturday 16th May.

Address

Yeldham Road
Halstead
CO93DZNOTENOTATTHISMAPLOCATION

Telephone

+441787461174

Website

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