List of British heritage and private railways

This is a list of heritage, private and preserved railways throughout the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands whether operational or former, for charitable purposes or shareholder profit. Some also provide a local economic transport purpose. For rail museums, see List of British railway museums.

Many of the standard gauge railways listed (thus including former branch lines and ex-mainline routes) were closed by British Railways (later shortened to British Rail) under the Beeching Axe of the 1960s. Others later or earlier closed. All ceased their public financing with up-to-date rolling stock and often avoided electrification and electronic signals to be restored and operated as heritage lines. A smaller number of lines were formerly both industrial and colliery railways.

Many of these preserved railways and railway centres such as stations, engineering workshops and collections of old locomotives are mentioned in national and international tour guides, and visits may form part of a school curriculum and centres of other studies including in civil engineering, mechanics, social, economic and political history, visual arts and drama.

Tramway operation in Britain ceased almost entirely in the 1950s. Once Glasgow had disposed of its lines, the sole survivor was the Blackpool Corporation Tramways, although considerably reduced in size. In the late 20th century there was a tramway revival, notably in Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, the West Midlands and Croydon.

See List of heritage railways in Northern Ireland

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