This is not a restored railway but a museum, situated in the former goods yard
of Chappel station on the Sudbury to Marks Tey line currently serviced by 'One'
Railway. The section of the line from Sudbury to Cambridge closed in 1967 and
closure of the remaining part seemed imminent in 1968 when the goods yard site
was leased to the then Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society, which hoped
to reopen part of the line to run restored steam trains, but the proposed closure
was averted, which pleased the commuters who relied on the service but put
paid to the preservationists' plans.
The EARM's strengths are in its preserved architecture and artefacts and an
intensive rolling stock collection and restoration programme. Much has been
achieved by an enthusiastic band of volunteers and there is still plenty more
work ahead but operations are limited to the confines of the yard until and
unless economic circumstances force the closure of the commuter line.
It is nevertheless well worth a visit to see something of railways in the age
of steam and browse through a vast collection of East Anglian memorabilia.
Timetable and travel directions: http://earm.co.uk
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Chappel and Wakes Colne station. One Railway provides a public train service - two
cars on weekdays and one at weekends - although the building is now a part of the
museum. The ticket office has been refurbished in the style of yesteryear and other
areas have been converted to a gift shop and tea room.
A fully working signal box
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Economy class! Visitors can ride the length of the yard on the demonstration freight trains.
Most of the rolling stock is in need of more than tender loving care when it arrives,
Photographs copyright ©Arthur Loosley, July 2005. Also see the Sudbury Branch Line official website: http://sudbury-branchline.co.uk Top of Page 'Memories of Steam' main page
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