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.

A long history with the railway

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.

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.

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!

The hotel was being created in the footprint of an original Burma Railways head office building in Yangon and the hotel owners wanted to remain faithful to the building's heritage by displaying a locomotive outside, along with a traditional carriage. Further railwayana was identified to help create an exhibition of the hotel's heritage.

Extensive travel throughout the railway network took place before the right engine was located. Once the locomotive had been secured by the hotel, a detailed restoration project started and, as the engine was not allowed to leave the country, a workshop was set up in Yangon and a team recruited to undertake the restoration work.

Sadly the project came to a premature end, not only with the start of the Covid pandemic but also due to the escalating political situation in Myanmar. The hotel project has been completely mothballed and everyone concerned watched the unfolding situation with great sadness and concern for the many friends made during the course of the project.

As well as designing and building two sets of carriages, Alan Keef Ltd was also closely involved in the extensive consultation over the fundamentals for the railway design including alignment of the railway through the park as well as wheel, rail and brake system standards.

Bespoke design

The two sets of carriages were designed to be visually distinctively different to each other. The 'blue' set is based on a traditional French Decauville design whilst the 'brown' set is a more traditional continental light railway style with wooden panelling and clerestory roof. Each finished to a very high standard incorporating bespoke door slam locks and catches, internal lighting and PA equipment.

Each set of carriages can carry up to 200 passengers and this railway achieves passenger numbers of some 300,000 every year.

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Originally conceived as a private estate railway, the park is now open for the public to visit and enjoy all year round.

We acted as consultants for the original design and installation of this 15" gauge railway and supplied the locomotives and rolling stock which were styled with a nod to the original County Donegal Railways.

We continue to work with the estate to maintain and inspect the railway as part of its ongoing development as a public attraction.

Ensuring the safe operation of funicular railways is of course crucial. We have considerable expertise on working on the requirements of the track and wheels for these unique operations, undertaking inspections and providing condition reports for a number of these railways around the country.

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.

Inspection as well as build

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.