more about us

Alan Keef Ltd - recognised the world over

Founded by Alan Keef over 50 years ago, we are based in rural Herefordshire and remain a family-owned and run enterprise with a great personal, as well as professional, passion for narrow gauge railways. Today, the business is run by Patrick Keef as Managing Director and Alan’s daughter, Alice Basey, as Financial Director and General Manager.

We employ a highly skilled and knowledgeable team of engineers, craftsmen and trackwork-gangs who typically share the family’s narrow gauge railway passion, or have come to love it since joining the company! Even just a brief glimpse through our website will illustrate the breadth of our work and the level of expertise we offer our customers, whether you are looking for park and leisure railways; industrial capacity railways or simply a hobby or enthusiast railway to enjoy.

In recent years we've expanded to three sites and we are proud of the unrivalled reputation we've continued to build for offering sound advice, friendly service, outstanding narrow gauge railway engineering expertise, superb build standards, both in manufacturing and on-site, and continual back-up for every project, large or small. We can genuinely claim to have worked with the majority of the main narrow-gauge railways in the UK and much of our work is based on word-of-mouth recommendation from our valued customers - we thank them all for their endorsement.

As well as traditional steam, our expertise covers diesel as well as the latest battery-electric locomotives too. Coupled, literally, to this, are our carriages which are renowned for offering a truly comfortable ride to be enjoyed by your passengers young and old alike. Finally, our track work is second-to-none with many year's knowledge built into every stage of planning, design and installation. Whether you're looking for a completely new railway or help with your existing railway, you'll find we offer friendly and practical advice and sound engineering know-how every step of the way. Our reputation has been built on it.

HOME TO Simplex & Motor Rail

As successors to Motor Rail Ltd and Simplex Mechanical Handling Ltd, who manufactured some of the best known and rugged light industrial locomotives, we offer technical back-up to existing Simplex locomotive users. Please get in touch if you are the owner of one of these locomotives and need spares or repairs.

All things narrow gauge

Alan Keef Ltd has an unrivalled reputation throughout the narrow gauge (10¼" - 3'6" gauge) railway industry as a designer, supplier and installer of quality modern railway equipment including locomotives, carriages, wagons and track systems.

From the latest battery-electric and low-emission diesel locomotives, to restoration of historic equipment and on-site surveying and track laying, we have all the knowledge and expertise to help you.

Click here for expert advice