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With the addition to their rolling stock of a custom-made well-wagon, maintaining the Volks Electric Railway infrastructure has been made far simpler.
With the addition to their rolling stock of a custom-made well-wagon, maintaining the Volks Electric Railway infrastructure has been made far simpler.
The new wagon will help the railway's staff to maintain the permanent way as well as undertake other servicing work. With its low floor height, it has been designed to carry plant equipment with ease. Developed and built by Alan Keef Ltd, the wagon has a fully galvanised chassis and treated softwood deck and side boards to cope with the demands of its exposed seaside location and entered service in mid 2023.
With thanks to P. Stevens for the images of the new well-wagon in use at the railway.
In 2022 we delivered a third new locomotive to Longleat Safari Park whom we're proud to have enjoyed a working relationship with for just short of five decades!
In 2022 we delivered a third new locomotive to Longleat Safari Park whom we're proud to have enjoyed a working relationship with for just short of five decades!
This latest locomotive was delivered along with a new style carriage ready for trials through the summer. Sporting Longleat's traditional deep red livery, the new locomotive has a highly efficient, low-emission, diesel powered engine. The carriage is a prototype featuring improved passenger space and comfort, wheelchair access and colour changing LED lighting.
The 15" gauge track navigates the park, running alongside the Capability Brown designed lake and adjacent woodland, and we continue to work through a scheduled, comprehensive track relaying programme.
This was a turn-key project for a locomotive and carriages including the design, supply and installation of over half a kilometre of track through protected woodland.
This was a turn-key project for a locomotive and carriages including the design, supply and installation of over half a kilometre of track through protected woodland.
Against the classic Scottish backdrop of Ayton Castle, an 0-6-0 diesel hydraulic locomotive, ‘Lloyd’ (AK109/20), and two bogie carriages will carry guests through the grounds of the estate to the Castle. Supplied as a turn-key project, this new 800m, 10¼” gauge railway was installed in a particularly sensitive landscape.
The railway’s track was thoroughly planned with extensive liaison with the project’s landscape architects and arboriculturalists. The track was carefully and painstakingly laid through the woodland area to minimise impact on the trees’ root systems. By slighly elevating the track bed and carefully packing the sleepers, the finished result is a railway that treads only lightly in its environment.
Ayton Castle has been newly renovated throughout with careful reference to its listed status. A classic deep blue and red livery was chosen by the client to suit the rest of the Castle’s stunning styling.
Easy-ride bogies ensure the locomotive and carriages offer a smooth and very comfortable ride for operators and passengers. The locomotive itself is fitted with a reliable, low emission, compact Perkins EU Stage V, US Tier 4 diesel engine, coupled to a hydrastatic drive. Together delivering single-lever, highly responsive dynamic control. Overall, the locomotive’s controls have been kept simple and intuitive to use. The engine is designed to require only minimal day-to-day maintenance and checks with just an annual service required to keep it running reliably year after year.
The locomotive and carriages with passengers illustrates the relatively spacious nature of the carriages for children and adults alike. Set low over the easy-ride bogies that are a hallmark of our design, the carriages are highly stable in use, and offer a smooth and very comfortable ride
An ambitious development programme for Audley End Miniature Railway has included the design and supply of fourteen new carriages and an extensive program to relay the track.
An ambitious development programme for Audley End Miniature Railway has included the design and supply of fourteen new carriages and an extensive program to relay the track.
Two sets of seven carriages were supplied to carry their rapidly increasing passenger numbers. The bogie design of our carriages, together with relaying the track to smooth curves and gradients, has resulted in a far more comfortable ride for passengers travelling around this unique park set in the Audley End Estate where the young visitors are encouraged to seek out their teddy bear friends.
The carriages feature LED strip lighting to ensure the carriages can be used safely during the winter season - essential for their popular Halloween and Christmas events which have attracted over 50,000 visitors. When needed, less able passengers in wheelchairs can be comfortably and easily accommodated too.
Everything at Audley End is done with a great eye to detail and so when even our track team were immortalised as teddy bears, we were delighted! Work on the track continues with the latest phase completed in early 2022.
Hidden away and rarely seen, a survey of this historic tramway formed the basis for a schedule of maintenance work commencing in the Autumn of 2022.
Hidden away and rarely seen, a survey of this historic tramway formed the basis for a schedule of maintenance work commencing in the Autumn of 2022.
Maintained by the National Trust as part of the iconic St Michael's Mount, there is little detailed historic information about this unusual tramway that climbs out of sight from the bottom of the Mount to the main house.
Designed to haul loads of upto 1-ton up the steep sides of the mount, the tramway's gentle initial gradient quickly changes to a far more challenging 1:1.5. We were called in to undertake a detailed inspection of the condition of the track and 'Dreckly Express' wagon, prior to essential maintenance work required to ensure its continued safe operation.
Providing a reliable and low environmental impact mode of transport for the Mount, loads are sent up and down several times every day. Work on the tramway is carefully planned to ensure that this service has minimal impact on these day-to-day operations. Following the survey, a general track overhaul has been planned along with maintenance work to the 'Dreckly Express'.
It is thought that this was the first survey of the tramway and, for Patrick personally, was a fascinating insight into the original construction and the old redundant machinery that is still in situ, as well as a chance to collate much unknown technical data on the tramway overall. And whilst we didn't see much of it whilst underground - the sun shone all day!
One of the most significant changes the railway has seen in its 100-year history, saw a permanent diversion created to accommodate the thousands of new homes being built around it.
One of the most significant changes the railway has seen in its 100-year history, saw a permanent diversion created to accommodate the thousands of new homes being built around it.
The Leighton Buzzard Light Railway spans two worlds - it is both a popular tourist attraction and, at the same time, is a railway steeped in the history of its quarrying past. The rapid growth of the town though has meant that the course of the railway needed to be changed and the project to lay a substantial section of new track, including taking it through a new main road tunnel, as well as connecting up both ends of the railway once the new section was laid, fell to Alan Keef Ltd.
We have a long personal and professional relationship with this railway as Patrick is a regular volunteer driver of the steam trains, as well as the business having been involved with the restoration and/or repair of several of the railway's locomotives over the last 30 years. This relationship meant we had a unique insight into the practical considerations of the project, such as the impact on the railway of a prolonged closure, as well as an understanding of how best to bridge the divide between the sometimes conflicting needs of the railway and the main contractors for the adjacent housing development. We started work on the project initially as consultants and liaison between the contractors and railway to ensure the correct specification for the works and subsequently were awarded the contract to supply the required materials an undertake their installation. That this project continued throughout the Covid pandemic, with all the challenges that brought, is testament to the commitment and total 'can do' attitude of everyone involved.
Our pictures here show how the work progressed in late 2021 and into January 2022.
Essential maintenance equipment is carried up and down the cliff side for the New Jersey Waterworks.
Essential maintenance equipment is carried up and down the cliff side for the New Jersey Waterworks.
The extreme conditions at the cliff side railway of the New Jersey Waterworks called for galvanised track to be specified, manufactured and installed by our experienced track installation team.
The complete track system was laid out, curved and final adjustments made, and then taken apart and galvanised, before being shipped and re-assembled on site in Jersey.
The railway is used to move essential equipment up and down the cliff and provides a safe and easily operated system for the maintenance teams working on the desalination plant pumps at the foot of the incline.
The ease with which a railway can move heavy objects is no better illustrated than by the railway that was built to carry narrow boats into and out of the water at Aylesbury Canal Basin.
The ease with which a railway can move heavy objects is no better illustrated than by the railway that was built to carry narrow boats into and out of the water at Aylesbury Canal Basin.
This project was part of the relocation of Aylesbury Canal Basin and incorporated supply and installation of galvanised track and the provision of a bespoke trolley.
We worked closely with our winch contractors to be able to offer our customer a complete solution for their requirements.
Maintaining the track of the Postal Museum's MailRail offers a fascinating insight into a formerly hidden, underground railway.
Maintaining the track of the Postal Museum's MailRail offers a fascinating insight into a formerly hidden, underground railway.
Our brief when we were called into investigate and work on the MailRail track, was to make the interface between the wheels and the track work correctly, and so reduce wear and tear on the rails, as well as reduce 'wheel squeal'.
It was determined that all of the work required could be carried out in-situ very effectively and, with the railway the key element of the Postal Museum, an overnight working schedule was put in place which meant that the railway could continue to operate without interruption.
Annual inspections and a schedule of the minor track maintenance work continues, again all carried out after the railway has closed for the day, so there is never a need for our work to close the railway to the thousands of visitors it attracts each year.
The Mine Railway is an intrinisic part of any visit to this historic river port in Devon.
The Mine Railway is an intrinisic part of any visit to this historic river port in Devon.
The quay grew to support the local mines and was at its peak in the Victorian era. Now run as a tourist attraction and museum it is the terminus of the Tavistock Canal, and has its own copper mine.
Visitors are invited to board the train and travel into the old mine workings to experience what working inside might once have been like. In 2022 the mine reopens to visitors with a new locomotive supplied by Alan Keef Ltd. The new loco will work in tandem with an older locomotive that we have totally refurbished, to offer a push/pull operation. Both locomotives are battery-electric and feature current AC drive technology for the most efficient operation.
Over a long working relationship with the family that run Morwellham Quay (and also the Bicton Woodland Railway), we help with ongoing advice and support for the rest of their railway infrastructure too.
The images here show the two locomotives operating on our test track during their final programming and testing in late 2021 and after final commissioning at Morwellhamam Quay in 2022.
We have designed and supplied a completely new railway including locomotive, carriages and track system for Wellington Country Park near Reading.
We have designed and supplied a completely new railway including locomotive, carriages and track system for Wellington Country Park near Reading.
This project began with the removal of their existing 7¼" gauge railway, whch was worn out and no longer capable of carrying their increasing passenger numbers. We replaced it with a new 12¼" gauge railway, initially with a steam outline diesel locomotive and three 12-seat carriages, before a further disabled access carriage was added to the train in 2020.
Wellington Park is classic railway of its kind, ideal as a stand-alone attraction aimed at families with younger children.
Formerly known as Kew Bridge Water Museum, the London Museum of Steam & Water shows how light railways were once commonly used within the water pumping industry.
Formerly known as Kew Bridge Water Museum, the London Museum of Steam & Water shows how light railways were once commonly used within the water pumping industry.
We were called in to review the operations of this railway and to work with the team of volunteers to ensure it continued to offer a safe visitor attraction. As well as undertaking essential track repair and maintenance, we took their locomotive 'Alister' to be overhauled before returning the loco and giving their team training in its operation.
Our pictures also show the steam locomotive that resides at this museum - well worth a visit for those interested in industrial archaeology!
Several stages of trackwork have now been completed for Seaton Tramway in Devon, including the track systems into the new Town Terminus.
Several stages of trackwork have now been completed for Seaton Tramway in Devon, including the track systems into the new Town Terminus.
We worked with Seaton Tramway to design and install new tracks into the newly built Town Terminus. This major project involved extensive liaison with the project's architects and main contractors.
The new track was re-aligned to enter the building, transitioning from a ballast base through complex, sprung turnouts into a flush concrete surface. The building was designed to not only house the trams as passengers alighted, but also to act as a function room when required.
A later project involved a new level crossing over a major road. Our track team worked to a tightly controlled timescale as the necessary road closure meant a significant diversion for local traffic.
Ree Park Safari 12¼' gauge railway near Aarhus in Denmark took delivery of a new diesel locomotive and set of carriages to carry passengers through the extensive safari park.
Ree Park Safari 12¼' gauge railway near Aarhus in Denmark took delivery of a new diesel locomotive and set of carriages to carry passengers through the extensive safari park.
Sporting a bright livery, the carriages for Ree Park Safari railway were completely enclosed due to the route taken through the park that takes passengers right up to the wild animals including bears and wolves.
Ree Park Safari also asked Alan Keef Ltd to resolve track issues which subsequently resulted in an extensive track relaying programme to smooth gradients that had proved highly problematic in operation.
Our friends at the Exmoor Steam Railway supplied a steam locomotive to work with our carriages at the railway with all on-site commissioning undertaken by Alan Keef Ltd.
We are proud of our long association with Blenheim Palace and their 15" gauge railway.
We are proud of our long association with Blenheim Palace and their 15" gauge railway.
In recent years we have undertaken extensive track relay and upgrade work and supplied a new 0-6-0 steam outline locomotive 'Winston' together with a matching set of four carriages.
The railway provides a vital transport link for the many thousands of visitors that arrive at this UNESCO World Heritage site each year. It connects the Palace and the Pleasure Gardens, a distance of just under 1km.
Mønsted Kalkgruber in Denmark is the world's largest limestone mine and host to visitors from across the world.
Mønsted Kalkgruber in Denmark is the world's largest limestone mine and host to visitors from across the world.
Alan Keef Ltd was approached to design and build (including all on site construction) a turn-key project to provide a visitor transport system from the main lime kiln building into the underground caverns.
This 600mm gauge railway is notable for the steep gradient down into the mine - between 1:25 and 1:18 - and the sharp curves once inside the mine. These parameters necessitated a specialist trainset comprising two locomotives and four bespoke carriages operating as a single push/pull unit.
Battery-electric was chosen as the motive power to eliminate emissions underground, however they are styled with the appearance of the original petrol locomotives historically used at this site.
Despite the huge popularity of the railway, it was decided in 2022 to cease the operation. We continue to be delighted to have been associated with such an amazing project that helped make the mine accessible for so many thousands of visitors.
Originally built in 1962 as a tourist attraction, Bicton Woodland Railway continues to attract visitors, young and old alike, to enjoy its scenic route through the Bicton Park Botanical Gardens.
Originally built in 1962 as a tourist attraction, Bicton Woodland Railway continues to attract visitors, young and old alike, to enjoy its scenic route through the Bicton Park Botanical Gardens.
This 18" gauge railway has been looked after by Alan Keef Ltd for over 20 years. Two new locomotive and carriages have been supplied in this time and the track comprehensively relaid and upgraded.
We continue to work closely with Bicton Park with regular track inspections and maintenance support.
Travelling into the deep slate mines of North Wales, we supplied a locomotive and carriages to carry the thousands of tourists visiting the attraction each year.
Travelling into the deep slate mines of North Wales, we supplied a locomotive and carriages to carry the thousands of tourists visiting the attraction each year.
Proving the breadth of our expertise, both the battery powered locomotive and carriages combined rugged practicality with ease of operation and passenger security and comfort.
The extensive trackwork element of this project required our specialist skills to ensure correct alignment within the tight confines of the Victorian mine workings.
Following redevelopment of the slate mines, this railway is now closed, however the trainset is now located at Morwhellam Quay in Devon and we have recently built a brand new, matching locomotive to work in conjunction with the original Welsh locomotive.
The Blists Hill Mine Railway forms part of the Blists Hill Victorian Town museum at the Ironbridge Gorge.
The Blists Hill Mine Railway forms part of the Blists Hill Victorian Town museum at the Ironbridge Gorge.
Alan Keef Ltd were called in to create this complete, turn-key railway attraction. The project comprised a 2ft gauge battery-electric push/pull trainset and associated trackwork that takes passengers into a replica fire clay mine.
This private garden 10¼" gauge railway is a recreation of a traditional Edwardian garden railway and is a pure delight.
This private garden 10¼" gauge railway is a recreation of a traditional Edwardian garden railway and is a pure delight.
After emerging from its engine shed and station area in the lower garden into a wooded area, the railway traverses through the beautiful landscape before entering a paddock set with sculptures that can then be viewed from all angles as the train continues its journey. A further holt is set alongside the estate's helipad and driveway which allows passengers to alight before continuing their onward journey!
The engine and rolling stock were acquired from an earlier private garden railway and were extensively overhauled before being put into service.
Further work to the estate and garden here necessitated part of the railway being taken up to protect it, before being carefully relaid.
The Eaton Railway is part of the extensive estate of Eaton Hall in Cheshire. Designed for the private use of the estate, home to the Duke of Westminster, the railway is often operated as part of the estate's occasional charity open days.
The Eaton Railway is part of the extensive estate of Eaton Hall in Cheshire. Designed for the private use of the estate, home to the Duke of Westminster, the railway is often operated as part of the estate's occasional charity open days.
As well as helping to maintain the locomotives and carriages, our work with this railway has, in recent years, included a complete track relay to replace all the sleepers and ease curves and turnouts that were causing issues.
This hand-worked railway allows firewood to be moved between a drying kiln, storage area and a modern wood-fired heating boiler serving the main house of the estate.
This hand-worked railway allows firewood to be moved between a drying kiln, storage area and a modern wood-fired heating boiler serving the main house of the estate.
Alan Keef Ltd installed the track and supplied suitable wagons, making further adjustments and additions once the original concept had been proven.
A 15" modern-day Heywood style railway allows the owners to maintain their grounds with ease, as well as travel in comfort.
A 15" modern-day Heywood style railway allows the owners to maintain their grounds with ease, as well as travel in comfort.
Alan Keef Ltd built two diesel locomotives and a selection of passenger and goods rolling stock for this 1.5 mile railway.
A new locomotive and carriages together with an extensive track relaying programme has been completed for Beale Wildlife Park & Gardens near Reading.
A new locomotive and carriages together with an extensive track relaying programme has been completed for Beale Wildlife Park & Gardens near Reading.
Sporting a bright blue and red livery, this 10¼" gauge railway operates with five larger capacity, sixteen-seat carriages including one with additional wheelchair access, which means around 70 passengers can be carried at a time.
A new railway has been built at Clyde Valley Family Park in Scotland, incorporating a particulary sinuous route through its wooded landscape setting.
A new railway has been built at Clyde Valley Family Park in Scotland, incorporating a particulary sinuous route through its wooded landscape setting.
This railway clearly displays the skill of our track laying team, demonstrated by the careful flowing alignment and transition curves that can only be achieved through highly skilled and experienced on-site rail bending.
One of our most long-established customers, Cotswold Wildlife Park's railway is looked after by Alan Keef Ltd from the track up.
One of our most long-established customers, Cotswold Wildlife Park's railway is looked after by Alan Keef Ltd from the track up.
Both of the railway's locomotives and the four carriages, as well as the track, have all been designed and installed by us. The first locomotive was supplied to the railway in 1985 and is still doing service. It has only recently come back to us to be upgraded and modernised with a new engine and transmission.
The Margam Park Railway is set amidst the beautiful 1,000 acre Margam Country Park in South Wales.
The Margam Park Railway is set amidst the beautiful 1,000 acre Margam Country Park in South Wales.
We worked with Neath Port Talbot Borough Council to provide a complete 2ft gauge railway running from the Orangery to the Castle. The project included the provision of a steam outline locomotive and three carriages and all of the track system infrastructure.
The Perrygrove Railway has long been a friend to Alan Keef Ltd and we've worked closely with them for many years on their locomotives, carriages and track.
The Perrygrove Railway has long been a friend to Alan Keef Ltd and we've worked closely with them for many years on their locomotives, carriages and track.
Located close to our own workshops, Perrygrove has often acted as a host to new equipment on trial prior to despatch to our customers. The Perrygrove Railway winds its way from the station uphill, through the woods to Oak Iron Terminus where passengers can alight and enjoy a picnic and the children's play area.
Most recently in early 2022, we have worked with the team at Perrygrove to realign and relay two significant complex curved sections of track. Each rail section was individually curved on site to ensure the most accurate and smooth alignment possible.
Wicksteed Park Railway is one of the UK's most popular narrow gauge railways and carries passengers around the extensive Wicksteed Park in Northamptonshire.
Wicksteed Park Railway is one of the UK's most popular narrow gauge railways and carries passengers around the extensive Wicksteed Park in Northamptonshire.
We have enjoyed a long working relationship with this iconic park railway which has a long history of operating steam outline locomotives. Their latest locomotive 'Merlin', built by Alan Keef Ltd, follows in this tradition.
In recent years we have also supplied four new bogie carriages and undertaken significant realignment and upgrading of the track.
The Great Woburn Railway forms a key part of the attraction at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire and we're proud to have designed and built a locomotive, carriages as well as continuing to maintain their track.
The Great Woburn Railway forms a key part of the attraction at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire and we're proud to have designed and built a locomotive, carriages as well as continuing to maintain their track.
The steam outline diesel locomotive, 'Lady Alexandra', operates with four bogie carriages offering passengers the option to travel in a fully open, partly closed or full enclosed carriage.
The track, configured with two balloon loops, is approximately 1km long and runs through the animal enclosures. We undertake regular annual inspection and maintenance of this railway to ensure it continues to operate safely throughout the year. The images here show some of the latest work on the track at the Woburn Railway.
Perhaps the most unusual locomotive we've ever built, the replica Lartigue Monorail is a faithful visual representation of the original.
Perhaps the most unusual locomotive we've ever built, the replica Lartigue Monorail is a faithful visual representation of the original.
An Irish Government, millennium project, we undertook all of the historic research required to produce both a practically operational, as well as visually faithful replica of this unique railway system.
The scope of our work included the locomotives, two carriages and the highly complicated track infrastructure!
This was one of a number of Bath stone underground quarries and the heavy duty railway is used to carry slabs of cut stone up to the surface for processing.
This was one of a number of Bath stone underground quarries and the heavy duty railway is used to carry slabs of cut stone up to the surface for processing.
We've worked in many underground projects but the damp conditions experienced at this location created a particularly challenging environment for our track installation team, but they smiled throughout and the railway was soon operational and carrying the huge slabs of stone out of the quarry.
The railway and rolling stock at Peatlands Park in Northern Ireland is routinely inspected and maintained by Alan Keef Ltd.
The railway and rolling stock at Peatlands Park in Northern Ireland is routinely inspected and maintained by Alan Keef Ltd.
We have worked with the railway at Peatlands Park since its original installation in 1986 when we supplied new carriages and later a new K40 locomotive in 1993. Most recently we have undertaken extensive track maintenance to ensure the continued safe operation of the railway on the inherently unstable ground conditions found at a peat bog location such as this.
We have looked after the maintenance of the track infrastructure of the 1.25 mile long Southend Pier Railway for many years including the extensive track build project at the pier head.
We have looked after the maintenance of the track infrastructure of the 1.25 mile long Southend Pier Railway for many years including the extensive track build project at the pier head.
With this historic pier structure subject to the strong tidal currents of the Thames estuary, our routine inspection and an on-going maintenance schedule ensured that the Pier Railway track and signalling is safe to operate.
As part of the extensive refurbishment of the Pier Head, a new terminus platform was built with the track being relaid to suit the new layout. Alan Keef Ltd undertook all of these complex works.
Of course the only reason we really visit is to check in on the cat... a carbon copy of one of our own back in Herefordshire.
As the UK agents for the French CFG Ballast Tamping Machines, our customers are increasingly using them to ease their maintenance workload.
As the UK agents for the French CFG Ballast Tamping Machines, our customers are increasingly using them to ease their maintenance workload.
Available to suit a variety of gauges and with petrol as well as Diesel engines, our Ballast Tamping Machines have been supplied to a variety of customers including Seaton Tramway, the Leadhills Railway, Leighton Buzzard Light Railway and Great Whipsnade Railway.
To find out how these labour-saving machines could work on your railway, please get in touch.
Created for a customer with a real passion for railways, this project typifies all that this type of railway can be.
Created for a customer with a real passion for railways, this project typifies all that this type of railway can be.
Whilst not involved in the original build of the railway, we undertook a significant extension including connecting the railway to new stock sheds including the design, supply and installation of complex pointwork.
We repaired the existing petrol locomotive and designed and built a new Heywood style wagon.
Funicular railways are technically challenging both in design and construction.
Funicular railways are technically challenging both in design and construction.
Suitable for carrying both passengers and materials, we undertake the design and construction of funicular railways, working hand-in-hand with other specialists in the equipment required, particularly for the winch gear, to ensure they operate safely. Whilst overcoming problems for many sites, funicular railways require considerable investment, particularly when carrying passengers, both at the design stage in establishing underlying ground conditions, and during the construction phase for both the track and rolling stock.
Over the years we've been involved in the building of these type of railways and our specialist knowledge has been called on for inspections too.
Shown here a just a few of those we've either designed and built or have recently inspected.